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The Bible teaches us that if we want something we should ask God. We are to ask in faith believing and you shall receive. What about the life of your cat? A cat that by any argument should have been dead. Someone just forgot to tell the cat and I didn,t have the heart to tell my children.
Let me say for the record, I love animals. When we lived in Australia we nicknamed our house "Noah,s Ark' We had two dogs, two guinea pigs, two mice, two gold fish and one cat. I think it was a bit too crowded for poor Thomas so he left home.
Before moving overseas we had two cats and two dogs. Life was an adventure and home was a zoo.
Salem made a run for an open door and didn,t look back. She had found freedom. The kids were devastated. A week passed and our hopes of ever seeing her again faded.
I remember sitting at the computer when Shawna age sixteen ran into the kitchen. She was all excited. "Look what I found!" she squealed. I looked up to see the most pathetic cat I have ever seen. Shawna,s smile never dimmed. Soon all the children were gathered around to see what the excitement was all about.
It was painfully obvious that a car had hit Salem. Her head was almost flat as was her body. She had blood pooled up behind both eyes. One shoulder was higher than the other. She couldn't stand up. She tried to meow but no sound came out.
She should have never survived the impact. Yet there she was. The kids were so happy to see her. Apparently they had been praying for her to return. They were excited that God had answered their prayers.
All I could think of is why. Why dear Lord did you allow her to return in this condition? Is it not bad enough they have to lose their beloved pet? Do they have to watch her die as well?
It was late evening and I was about to go into work. I worked third shift. The kids were begging me to take her to a vet, but there wasn't one opened. I told them I would take her in the morning if she survived the night. I cautioned them the vet would just put her to sleep. She was beyond help. All that could be done for her was to stop her suffering.
"We will take care of her, we promise"
"I don't want you to get your hopes up. Salem cannot possibly live. She won't make it through the night. I want you to understand that. I have never in my life seen a cat messed up this bad and live." I explained as I looked into four very determined faces.
"I,ll pray for her." Marissa, the youngest offered. "God does answer prayers, He brought her back home."
What could I say to that? I gently told her that He does answer prayers. She would just have to accept if the answer is no. I encouraged her to pray that His will be done. It may not be His will for Salem to live if she was going to be in pain for the rest of her life.
I didn't want her to lose faith when the inevitable happened. Anyone could take one look at that cat and see that her time was at hand.
I called Shawna off to herself. I told her to give Salem every chance possible. I know beyond a doubt that she wouldn't be alive when I come home in the morning, but we could at least try.
Her jaws were broken so she couldn't eat. I showed Shawna how to mix can food with milk and warm it in the microwave. I made sure she knew to check it to make sure it wasn't too hot. We used a straw and put a little of the soupy mixture into her mouth. She could barely swallow. But at least she was taking in some nourishment.
Marissa sat over her praying. Alex, the youngest son prayed from his bed. I gave a silent plea of my own. "Please Lord, look down upon these children and show them some pity."
I was troubled all night at the thought of going home to find Salem"s lifeless body. I did not look forward to waking the children up with the sad news.
What I found the next morning was simply amazing. Shawna met me at the door.
"Come look at this!" she smiled proudly. She stood Salem up and she walked. Just a few steps. That was enough for hope. By afternoon she could walk the length of the hallway.
I warned the children that when she started getting around more, if she acted like she was in pain I would take her to the vet and have her put to sleep if necessary. I couldn't watch her suffer.
It wasn't long until she was getting around just as good as her sister. If she hurt anywhere she never let on. She never looked the same however. She always had one shoulder higher than the other and her head never quite looked right.
God looked down and He didn't see Salem as just a cat. He didn't see an impossible situation. He looked down and saw the faith of four children. He used their faith to teach their mother that sometimes the answer is yes.
Copyright © 2003 Regina Mahaffy
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