Kitties and the Sovereignty of God

Me holding baby kitty named Rewind

A Devotional by Margot Cioccio

“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17

Yesterday we had to take my aunts little dog to the vet to be put down. She was getting very old and was having trouble walking down the stairs with out falling. Her lack bladder control was becoming and increasing problem. So calls had gone out to my sister who is a veterinarian. She felt it was time to put the dog down. So we made an appointment a weeks ago for after the 4th of July holiday. 

My mom and I were concerned about my aunt not having a little companion animal. We felt a cat would be easier for her to take care of than another dog. So we looked on line for Siamese kittens. 

We found them in Seattle and in California but nothing in our immediate area. The ones we did find were in the $200+ range. So we kind of put the idea on the back burner. 

My story really does go along with today's verse, I'm not just giving you a personal update. 

Euthanizing a pet is emotionally difficult and I have not ever had a pet that needed to be put down. 

My aunt held together pretty well through the experience, holding her little dog, Sally while the vet injected first a sedative, and then several other injections before the final one that stopped her heart.

The whole process only took a few minutes and was painless and little Sally was very peaceful through it. When we had walked into the room to wait for our appointment with the vet, we had passed a kennel that had four Siamese kittens and I pointed it out to my mom as I went in to be with my aunt through the Euthanizing. 

My mom stayed out in the waiting room enquiring about the kittens. When we came out she was in the process of purchased brother and sister kittens. So our verse today asks the question, is anything to hard for God? I had prayed for the day to go smoothly. My aunt struggles with a bit of dementia and at times can be a difficult to deal with. I had prayed about my concern for her being with out a companion animal. Neither being knock down, drag out, pound the heavens kind of prayers. Just little concerns that I had thought about and lifted to the Lord. 

One of the owners of that vet office breeds two of her cats every couple of years. Here's whats interesting. We had to decide between several offices for the Euthanasia procedure. The one closest to us was very old school and did not feel sedating the animal was necessary. So we decided against them. My sister recommend several others and my mom had called asked them about the procedure and felt this one would do it the way my sister felt it should be done. My sister lives six hours away on the other side of the state of Washington but went to vet school here in the area. 

God went before us in this whole process, before we even realized we would want kittens, He had a sovereign plan already in place for us. My mother and aunt are not believers and little things like my burned finger suddenly stopping hurting, when they expected I would likely have several days of discomfort, really speaks to them. I have given up trying to talk them into Jesus and have long since simply lived my faith openly before them. Actually with most people I have gone with simply being a living bible, and loving them til they ask why. I figure when people are ready, they will start asking questions because they see something in you that is different. They will taste the fruit of your life and know that something is different about you. I realize that people are always watching how I live and how I handle the difficulties of life. When they see me be able to walk through difficulties with the peace of God, when they know they would be a wreck in the same situations, it speaks loudly. My mom has said to me on occasion - "things always work out for you Margot" 

It is true - Romans 8:28 is in effect in my life. 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." 

People toss it around pretty liberally like a bandaid that can be put on every problem people face. It is however a verse with a few conditions. This verse is for those who love him. Which means that John 14:23 is also in effect in your life. Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Granted we all fall short but for the most part, your heart needs to be set on doing things according to the teachings of Jesus.  There is a second condition to Romans 8:29 it say "who have been called according to his purpose." Are you living your life asking God to go along with your plans or is your life about following Him and fitting in to His plans? Do you even know what God's purposes are? They are spelled out pretty clearly in His Word. I know in my own life that I do my best to meet the conditions of Romans 8:28 so I can be confident that it is a promise that is in effect for me in my life. It does not mean that I don't have troubles and face hardships because I do - we all do. 

I tend to look at life's troubles as blessings in disguise. James 1:2-4  Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Well I see lots of rabbit trails I could go off on to make this post dreadfully long but I will save them for other days and trust that something I've said today will connect with you and help or encourage you in some way. 

Oh I forgot to tell you the kitty's names. (Ron Ferlito you will laugh cause you came up with these names as a joke years ago). Their names are Pause (Paws) and Rewind. 

Prayer

I pray the Lord will go before you and make a way for you where there does not seem to be one. That you will see his Sovereignty as He sets up the answers to your prayers long before you even pray them.