Purposeful Prose

God’s Grace

by Tina

For a time I regretted naming her Grace. This is one of two cat tales that lead to the adoption of our own two kitties.

Originally, we referred to her as Scruffy-Cat. She always looked a little disheveled.

At first glance the darker markings on her face made her look like a feral street cat. Her very aged and beat up collar didn’t help matters.

Curiosity

Grace (AKA Scruffy-Cat) was a timid cat.  When she first started coming around I tried to open the door to approach her, but our door makes a terrible squeal when you turn the lock.  This would send this shy cat running.

At first she’d sit at the top of the steps with her tail wrapped around herself. However, it wasn’t long before she became curious. Soon enough she was peering into our window.

I learned to gently turn the lock on the door without making that horrid sound. Nevertheless, as the door opened she’d take off anyway, but Grace kept coming back day after day.

Friendship

I learned a valuable lesson about cats.  Don’t ever feed a stray cat unless you’re ready for the company. 

I made a friend the day I placed a tin of salmon on our steps. Any trust issues that she might have had with me suddenly vanished. It wasn’t long before she was walking right into our suite and getting into our cupboards! (I had to tape the cupboards closed.)

When I’d take my lunch outside she’d keep me company. Within no time at all she was staying over night. 

Adventure!

One night we needed to make a ‘kiln run’ to Andrew’s parents, but Andrew didn’t want to leave Grace behind. Grace seemed game to be with us too, following us out the door and right into our vehicle.

I mentioned to Andrew that cats generally aren’t keen on car rides. (He grew up with dogs as the family pet.) I felt it was a better plan to leave her at home. Nevertheless, both Andrew and Grace wouldn’t be separated. Grace’s curiosity got the better of her and Andrew’s adoration for Grace clouded his judgement. We drove to his parents with our soon to be uneasy passenger.

When we arrived at our destination, Grace quickly exited the vehicle as Andrew opened the door.  She was understandably a nervous wreck in these new surroundings. Grace went frantically about the yard. She did come to us when we called her, but then she vanished into the night. When we completed our work we searched for her before we headed home.  Sadly, we had to make our way home without our little friend.

A New Name

It wasn’t long before this incident, that I decided Scruffy-Cat didn’t seem such a fair name for her anymore. Even though we meant it in an affectionate sort of way, she needed a proper name.  As I was listening to the radio one evening, the word “grace” kept catching my ear. It was decided.  Grace would be her name.  (As I said at the beginning, I came to regret this.) 

Missing

When the sun rose the next day, Andrew and I drove back to mom and dad’s to search for Grace, but we couldn’t find hide nor hair of her.  Again, we had to return home dismayed.  

As the radio played, every mention of the word “grace” upset me.  We’d become rather fond of her company. Even more upsetting was the fact that it was our fault she was out there in unfamiliar turf.  Another day passed, but still there was no sign of her.

Good News!

It was in the evening, on the third day after she’d gone missing, that we received a phone call from Andrew’s dad saying, “I have Grace. Come and get her.”  What a relief!

Those three days are so symbolic to me of the three days preceding Jesus’ death.  I imagine that those who were following Him and loved him were very much distraught and grieved at the loss. I’m sure there were many who had their doubts about who Jesus claimed to be: the Son of God. The Jews of this time knew that this meant Jesus claimed to be God. (John 5:18; John 8:58; John 10:30-33)

What a relief and a miraculous joy it must have been when his disciples saw with their own eyes that Jesus had risen from the grave.  This was living proof that those of us who accept God’s gift of grace also have this promise of eternal life. My father-in-law’s reassuring words: “I have Grace. Come and get her,” are much like our Savior’s offer of salvation to those who believe.  

Jesus brought Salvation for all People

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.

Titus 2:11-14

The Purrrfect Name

Not long after bringing Grace home, we discovered that she was the neighbor’s cat! (Her true name was Sundae.) We didn’t tell our neighbor about Sundae’s great adventure. (He he. 😆)

Though we were sad that she wouldn’t become a part of our life, we were also amazed once again at God’s grace.  After all, we almost lost our neighbor’s cat. When Dad went out to check the electricity meter, there she was ready to be found. We, too, have hope for those who are still lost and far from God. Grace was the purrrrrfect name, after all. 

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Stay tuned for my second cat tale next Wednesday….

30 thoughts on “God’s Grace”

  2. Hi Tina, I enjoyed Grace’s story and loved your photos! The second photo is a work of art! 🖼️
    I am surprised the neighbor wasn’t looking for “Sundae.”
    Glad that Grace; (the cat) was found and that God’s miraculous grace is un-earned and open to all who believe.💕🌻💐🌺

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    1. Yes, oddly it took a bit of time for us to realize that she belonged to the neighbor. She spent a few nights with us. One night she hopped over the fence and Andrew and the neighbor happened to be outside at the same time. That’s when the discovery was made. She wasn’t happy that we had fed her some wet cat food. Sundae was only on dry cat food. It’s no wonder we became good friends after I fed her some tin salmon. The neighbor had to start feeding her wet food. Apparently it’s not great for cats to be on dry food only anyways. A combination of both dry and wet is better for them. I guess we did Sundae a bit of a favor. She was good company. We had another little visitor as well. I’ll share it next week. After two house guests we adopted two kitties of our own. 😊

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      1. It appears your neighbor wasn’t too worried about her cat being missing. 😔
        I am sure you did Sundae more than a bit of a favor – you added the love! 😊 Also, some tasty salmon! I am looking forward to reading about your next little visitor. 🐈💖

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    1. Andrew was allergic to cats. We think that his medication–namely the norepinephrine or epinephrine–(not sure which) cured his allergic reaction. He’s currently off painkillers, but still hasn’t had an allergic reaction.

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    1. Oh, I’ve sorry for your loss. My husband and I made ceramic urns for pets for many years. They do steal your hearts and are such a big part of the family.

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      2. Oh wow. Our cats won’t leave the Christmas tree alone. One of them likes to take her toy and play under it. Putting a tree skirt out is hopeless. 😂

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  8. Tina, what a sweet and a little sad story. Sad only because she could become your grace but is the neighbours sundae. But I guess you can still see her around. I love the connection you made with God’s grace we receive.
    Almost missed this post of yours as for some reason I did not get an email notification as usual.
    Blessings Tina 💙

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    1. Thanks Manu. 🙂 It was a bit sad. We ended up adopting two kitties after this occurrence and thd next visitation (tomorrow’s post) that occurred during the same time frame. The neighbor who owned Sundae moved away. But that worked out too. Grace wasn’t too happy that two cats had moved into her ‘home away from home.’ 😂 She tore up our window screen pretty bad trying to get to our two kittens.

      Blessings back at ya Manu. 💙

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  9. Aw! So sorry that Grace couldn’t stay with you guys. But still a wonderful story. I can picture Jesus saying, “I have Grace. Come get her.” The invitation is open to all. What a priceless gift. Be blessed, my friend! 🦋

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    1. Well, it worked out. We ended up adopting two wonderful kitties of our own. And, they don’t get into the cupboards. So no tape necessary. 😂 Be blessed as well Bridget. 🌺

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  12. Amazing! Tina, I enjoyed how this all turned out for Grace. At the same time, we are reminded how God’s grace continues to flow to so many. My youngest daughter and her husband provide a safe and loving home for three rescue cats . . . Sky, Revel, and Birdee.

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    1. Awe, that’s so nice. We adopted two rescue cats of our own (Jessie and Sheya) after this adventure with Grace and then another visitation that occurred while Grace was coming around. That post is tomorrow! 😊

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