His Sense of Humor
By Christy Lowman
Burke County
Everyone has a calling, a special task that the Lord assigns you. Sometimes the Lord gives us multiple callings and talents.
A few months ago, Thomas, our pet cat got run over. We only had him for three years and loved him so much. He had the best personality.
Thomas, who started out as a stray, was a half-starved kitten when he came to our home and quickly won our hearts. I have no clue where he came from. He just showed up one late night meowing, asking for permission to approach us. He needed help. He needed food and water, wormer and vaccines, and most importantly love and a home.
He is just one of the many animals that have come to me throughout my life needing my help.
Sometimes I wonder if there is a blinking light above my house that flashes, “Come Here for Refuge, and Anything You Need.” Or maybe the sign says “Pet Hotel.” Or lastly “These People are Friendly to Animals. Stop Here” is A sign that only the animal world can see.
I honestly don’t know what it is. All I can tell you is that I don’t go out looking for these animals but they end up finding me wherever I am at. I didn’t ask for this calling and many times I have said “No” to more animals. But the fact of the matter is, this is my calling from the Lord. It will always be on my shoulders no matter how far I run away from it. No matter how many times I say “No.” No matter if I try to make it not my calling, it will always be. I will always have a heart for every animal. I will try to the very best of my being to help any animal that needs it. Part of it is my heart for animals the other is my Momma’s heart. I love being a momma and I love mothering children and animals, showering them with love and protection.
There are many amazing, crazy, and interesting stories I have had with animals but they are for another time.
This calling the Lord has given me is not always easy. It comes with a whirlwind of emotions. Sometimes it’s rewarding, sometimes it’s worrisome, and sometimes it breaks my heart. For whatever reason, sometimes no matter your effort, the animals won’t make it.
So let me tell you how the Lord works. I always call it “His Sense of Humor.”
Since Thomas died, there has been a black hole of sadness. I have missed him more than any other cat I have owned. In fact, the whole family has missed him including our dogs, especially Dug, our beagle mix. Thomas was his best friend and he has mourned the most, even more than me.
I’ve gone back and forth about getting another cat but quickly talked myself out of it because no cat can ever fill the shoes of Thomas. I also didn’t want the worries I had with him like “Where is Thomas?” “I hope he is ok.” Along with many other worries I created when he was out exploring. Thomas was not a full-time inside cat, and I would never have forced him to be. He would have never been happy inside all the time. He was an explorer and loved making friends with other people and animals.
About a week after Thomas was run over we started seeing another cat in the yard, and around the house. My husband told me several times to put food out for it but I refused. Honestly, I think I just wasn’t ready for another cat. My heart still hurts from the last one.
But the Lord saw differently.
Yesterday, my husband noticed while he was working that there were kittens under our building. Three of them! This thrilled my momma’s heart but also I was like, “Oh no.”
I see on social media every day how the shelters and rescue sites are popping at the scenes with strays, orphans, and owner surrenders so I knew that that was not an option.
My husband and I decided that if we could catch them, tame them, (momma too), and find a place where we could get them fixed for cheap they could stay here.
I left immediately to get kitten chow. They were very hungry and decided to lie on our building steps after they got their bellies full.
Then my worry and momma’s heart set in. “Will they be okay?” “Will something eat them or hurt them?” “Will the pair of six-foot-long king snakes I just saw a few days ago make a meal out of them?” “What about hawks, and owls?” We have both….
I was so excited to see them today but they haven’t come out to play or eat. I don’t know if this is because of the rainy, cool weather or if the mother has moved them. Or if something got them….
It just gets to a point where you have to give all your worries to God and let Him take care of them. You can’t handle everything yourself. Once you cast those worries to God, He will fill you with peace.
You cannot run away from the calling that the Lord has laid on you no matter what. It is your calling so you might as well accept it and embrace it, and you will be blessed by it. Most importantly be thankful and honored that the Lord chose you! The Lord gives each one of us a heart and compassion for something and if you turn down your calling then who is going to step up to the plate in your place?
P.S. I do love my calling, even when it hurts my heart and I am very thankful the Lord chose me!
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 KJV
“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Romans 11:29
“He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.” Psalms 91:15
Dear Lord, help each one of us recognize our calling early in life so we call fulfill it. Help us not see it as a burden but as a blessing instead. I pray that each one of us will rise up and do what you have called us to do no matter how hard it is. In Jesus’s name, I pray, Amen.
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Christy Lowman is a Christian author and illustrator that lives in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with her husband and two children. She enjoys writing and illustrating books for all ages. Some of her short stories are published with Guideposts and HCI. Christy gives all the glory to God in everything she does. A portion of every book sold from the Small Bible Character Series will be donated to battle human trafficking. If you enjoy her books, “like’ her author page on Facebook and let her know! You can buy her books at //www.amazon.com/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3AChristy+Lowman&s=relevancerank&text=Christy+Lowman&ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1. You can reach her at //www.facebook.com/authorChristyLowman/
or christyssoaps@yahoo.com
You can read more Christian news from Christy here.
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