The kitten of 1 Timothy 4:4-5

When I was seven months pregnant, the Doctor picked up a problem. There was too much fluid around the baby. This would mean one of three things: the baby was Down syndrome, I had gestational diabetes or the baby had TOFS. I was ssoooo hoping for diabetes. I don’t think anyone in this world has wanted diabetes so badly! Anyway, it was TOFS- a very long story but with a happy ending.

However, when I was 3 months pregnant my cat, Georgia W. Bushytail, gave birth to two still born kittens. She was absolutely devastated. I have never seen an animal so emotionally crushed. I just wish there was  a way of us letting an animal know what has happened, so that they too, can get closure like we do. My poor angel would run meeouwing around the house looking in cupboards and around corners, under beds etc for her babies. She was desperately looking for them. She became possessive over me – I was not allowed to even talk on the phone because she would cry, jump on my lap and put her paw over my mouth to make me stop talking! I was so heartbroken for her, I couldn’t stand her pain.

I had thought of getting a newborn kitten from a shelter for her – the more newborn, the better, so that she could bond with him/her. This was a shot in the dark obtaining a kitten so tiny, but I prayed and asked God that if it was His will for Georgia to get another kitten, to please make it happen as her pain was just far too much. In the interim I had contacted 2 animal shelters that rescue abandoned kittens and cats and asked them to keep a lookout for me. I was told that I was asking for a miracle because to find a kitten at such a young age is impossible. I just knew that if God was willing I would have a kitten for Georgia.

Four days later the cat shelter called me – they had found an abandoned 2 week old kitten! I rushed over there and he was the most teeny tiny little mo you ever saw! I called him simply, Teeny, because I couldn’t get over how tiny he was and would always greet him with a “Hello my little teeny tiny mo!” The name Teeny, suffice it to say, stuck.
As soon as I took him home Georgia grabbed him by his little head and pulled him to her to give him a bath! It was the most precious sight I had ever witnessed! Those two are inseparable and her heart healed. Thank You to Jesus Who is ever so kind-hearted! I was so thankful to Him and thanked Him many times over for this special blessing.

Which brings me to my point. I was so paranoid now that the Doctor delivered the bad news, that I was trying to find out what I had done incorrectly to warrant this problem. Then toxoplasmosis hit me! I thought maybe I had gotten that due to a new kitten in the house. I wanted to throw up at the thought! This thought tormented me that I got down on my knees and pleaded with God for mercy and whether this is what actually happened. Did I cause unintentional harm on my unborn child trying to help my cat? But it was God’s will was it not? I asked for a kitten only if it was His will.

The next morning, swollen feet and all, I was getting ready to go grocery shopping with my mom. I was about to brush my teeth and the Holy Spirit said “Go read 1 Tim 4: 4-5”. I thought “Huh? Nah…I’m hearing things”. I grabbed the toothbrush…” Go read 1 Tim 4: 4-5!” Again I thought my mind was just running overtime. I got dressed and was about to walk out my bedroom door when the voice was so persistent “Go read 1 Tim 4: 4-5!!” This time I could not ignore it. When I turned to the verse I burst into tears at what I found:

“…for every creature of God is good and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer”

Yes, this passage was actually referring to people worrying about eating food that is sacrificed to idols. For example, when I was visiting in Taiwan, I knew to pray over all my food and thank God for it, because even though they usually bless their food to their gods, everything comes from our God Almighty who created Heaven and earth. When we pray over our food, it is sanctified.

However, God knew to show me this verse because it fit in so perfectly with what I was worrying over. He knew I would know what He meant. I had firstly asked His will for a new kitten, and was so thankful to Him when receiving this little kitten that he was set apart from causing me any harm.

The most important lesson I learned from this was seeking God’s will. If I had gotten a kitten without His permission, something may have well gone wrong! But once you are in His will, you are blessed. You can conquer mountains!