Special Arrival
So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Matthew 24:44 (NIV)
I think tortoiseshell cats are beautiful. All of the colors blend together in such unique shades. Google says this: Kittens from a tortoiseshell cat mother can inherit either a solid black or a tortoiseshell (black and orange) coat, while male kittens will almost certainly be either solid black or orange. However they arrive, they are adorable. Julie Lavender (All God’s Creatures) has some excitement to share with us.
*****
My son spotted the long-haired cat on his morning walk. Several days later, he pointed out the cat to my husband, David, and me. The orange, black, and cream-colored tortoiseshell cat warily kept her distance. When she moved away from us, we saw that she was pregnant. Very pregnant, it seemed.
After checking with neighbors, we realized she was ownerless. We’ve never been a cat family because we’re all allergic—my husband, son-in-law, and grandson terribly so. But this sweet mama-to-be captured our heart with her beauty and helpless plight. We fed her, first in the front yard and then on the front porch after luring her there for mealtimes.
David removed the front of a cardboard box, leaving a lip to keep kittens contained, and I lined it with soft towels. We thought erroneously that she was due any day. I was surprised how excited I was for the birth of kittens. I told everyone about “our” mama cat and sent pictures of our new furry friend to family and friends.
When David and left for a work trip combined with a fortieth anniversary getaway to Italy just 5 days after we adopted Mama Feline, she still hadn’t delivered. I said a prayer, hoping she would wait another two weeks until we returned home. Even though I was anxious about not being around for this exciting event, we put our son in charge of feeding and taking care of her and whatever kittens might arrive. “We’ll figure out what to do with them after that,” I said.
Lucky for me, Mama Cat didn’t deliver until 4 days after we returned. My anxiety—and excitement—reminded me of Jesus’s second coming. God promised us that Jesus will return, though none of us know the day or hour. I certainly hope my enthusiasm for Jesus’s arrival is as evident to others as that of my new kitty friends.
Merciful God, thank You for the life-lessons that come from the creatures You have created. Help us to get excited and be ready for Jesus’s return. AMEN.