Look at the birds! They don’t worry about what to eat—they don’t need to sow or reap or store up food—for your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. Matthew 6:26 TLB
Tonight I went out to feed the barn cats and as usual talked to the kittens, trying to make friends with them so they will trust me if they ever need special care. As I sat quietly and watched them I thought of two kittens who needed that special care, Cyrano and Zippy. They both had a feline neuro-virus that caused gradual paralysis and eventually death if not treated with antibiotics. Within a period of less than 24 hours, the kittens go from normal to falling over when they walk. Then their back legs begin to collapse under them, their tails hang limp and eventually they drag their back legs.
A friend had found a stray kitten and because she was in an apartment couldn’t keep it, and since I lived on a small farm she asked if I would take him. So Cyrano came to live with me and he was an active kitten, until he wasn’t. Not knowing what was wrong with him I took him to the Vet, and they weren’t sure either. So because nothing was broken or they couldn’t find anything else they decided to give him an antibiotic, but didn’t give much hope for recovery. So when the same symptoms happened to Zippy I knew what we had to do.
Now, the paralysis may have happened quickly, but the recovery did not. Besides giving the antibiotic every six hours, they needed help doing what they could not do for themselves. When I brought Zippy home, my cousin who was dealing with cancer was living with me and so the two of us became feline physical therapists. His legs weren’t working on their own, so we would have to work them for him until they could. Three times a day we worked his little legs and tail back and forth all while praying for restoration. We would hold him and love him even though he would try to scratch us and bite our hands. I’m happy to report in a little over a month, both Cyrano and Zippy had fully recovered and were outside running and playing with the other kittens.
We also have learned a few lessons. These kittens were just one of several barn kittens, and probably wouldn’t have ever been missed. But God had us see those little kittens and their need. We sought out the help of people who had the ability to give us the medicine to stop the viral infection. Then we helped them do what they couldn’t do on their own while we were waiting for them to get better. If we can help little insignificant kittens be restored, then why wouldn’t we seek to help restore people. Just as God showed us these little kitten, He will show us people who need to experience His healing and loving touch. Then He will help us show them His kindness, even if they may not want it at first so they will see how much He loves them and wants to transform their lives.
As for my cousin Susie, well, she said it was the best therapy she received physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually as she was going through her chemo and radiation treatments. Because as she was helping Zippy, God was helping her in ways she never could have imagined. Let’s never think that anything is too insignificant for God to use to show His love for us.
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