Shhh – did you hear that?
By Scott Reeves
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11, NIV).
Anyone who has ever lived in the country knows the rural countryside is a dumping ground for unwanted animals. This is how our oldest cat began her life, dumped alongside the road, abandoned by her former owner.
We found her one morning in the tire well of my truck as I was preparing to go to work. Since we couldn’t coax her out in time for me to drive the truck to work, I ended up taking my motorcycle, leaving the coaxing to my wife Diane.
Later that morning, when Diane finally got the little critter out from under the truck and saw what a beautiful young kitten she was, Diane emailed me a picture of her. We decided to name her LeeLoo.
We’re not certain how she survived the roaming packs of coyotes to end up at our house. One thing was for certain: Leeloo now had a safe home.
When we first rescued the kitten, she was so small we could hold her in the palm of our hands. As the weeks passed, she grew strong, and her coat, what is known as pale tortii, became luxuriant.
Soon she was old enough to be spayed.
When we crated her for the trip to the veterinarian’s office, LeeLoo wailed and cried, almost breaking our hearts. She didn’t know what was happening, and even though we spoke to her in soft, reassuring tones, she was incapable of understanding that what we were doing was in her best interest. How could she know?
Diane remarked on how much the experience reminded her of God and the unfathomable love He shows us every day and how we cannot possibly understand His vision for each of us. We simply cannot see that far.
Diane and I knew that Leeloo would be home within 24 hours – a little sore, perhaps, but none the worse for wear. God knows how our scary times will turn out
but, just as human words have no meaning to a frightened kitten, we simply cannot always comprehend God’s plan for us.
In this humanistic and post-modern world, people are cast out into society to live among packs of wolves. They make their way through the dark forest, seeking sanctuary. If they’re lucky, someone will give them a helping hand and lead them to The One who can rescue them. If they listen, they might hear the soft, reassuring Voice that says, “I am the Truth, the Life and the Way. I know the plans I have for you.”
