In the Houston area where we once lived, we had frequent afternoon showers. During one of these, a neighbor called me to say that there was a cat lying in her driveway not moving and she thought that it was our cat Scuffy. I went to he driveway and found that it was indeed Scuffy and carried him home. He was alive, but limp, and couldn’t stand up. Praying all the way, Stephanie, my nine year old daughter and I took Scuffy to our veterinarian Stan. He took Scuffy in his arms and told me that he would have to keep him over night and would call me in the morning. I agreed, and left Scuffy there. At home we prayed some more.

The call came the next morning, and Stan said that we could pick up Scuffy any time. “He’s standing, and purring , and eating and drinking,” he told me. “Wow!” I said. “You really did a good job on him!” “I didn’t do a thing,” he answered. “Someone Else

worked on that cat. Remember how his mouth was open? That was a sure sign that he was dying of kidney failure. I fully expected to find a dead cat in the morning. I was surprised that he lived long enough for you to bring him in, and now he’s up and ready to go home. He doesn’t even need any of my medicine. All I have given him is food.”

Scuffy lived to be an old, much loved cat in our family.

Don’t be deceived my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17) One friend laughed to think that we would ascribe Gods intervention to a dying cat’s recovery, but no one could deny that we had received a “good and perfect” gift. It seems intelligent to doubt the presence of “Someone Else” at work in our lives in usual and unusual ways, but the Bible makes sure that we understand that “Someone Else” is at work in the world, and that ultimately everything besides that Someone will be changed. “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5)

It is easy to see evil and sadness in the world, but St. Paul has a different vision: If any of you is in Christ, that person is a new creation . The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Which is easier, to heal a dying cat, or to transform a human being? In my experience, God is able to do both, and much, much more.

Love in Him,

Prue