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The Rescue “I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1-2 As I walked into the Youth Mentoring office, one day in July, I spotted a couple of kittens, right next to a large area of brush. I approached them to try and get a better look… I just love kitties! When I was within a few feet, the two of them who had been snuggling together got up and scampered off back into the brush. I wondered about them and if I would see them again. I did… at least one of them anyway. A few weeks later, a surprise storm hit after a weekend of picture perfect weather. As I pulled up to the office parking lot, I saw one little kitty, sitting in the dirt, closer than last time. I walked over and he mustered his strength to wobble away, but I could see that he wasn’t well. I checked the brush later in the day to see if he was still there, and again he was outside of his leafy home, sitting alone and looking wet and cold. I couldn’t leave him there and so I did what needed to be done. I scooped him up and took him to the vet. It was confirmed that he wasn’t well. He was skin and bones (and fur), with a bunch of little tics and an upper respiratory infection. His eyes were goopy, his fur was dirty, and he didn’t have any oomph at all. An overnight with the vet would determine if he would make it through and then we would take it from there. Little Sami did make it through. As a matter of fact, I am glad to report he is doing very well. He’s got a little belly, his eyes are wide and sparkly, and his fur is turning from tan and black to white and black. From the start, Sami was purring up a storm. Even while the vet was poking, prodding and peeking, Sami was purring. It seemed to me he was saying “thank you”. He was and is one grateful little kitty. The whole adventure reminded me of God’s grace towards us. Isn’t it the picture of it? Weren’t we alone and in need, sick in our souls with a soiled life? Then out of nowhere, a benevolent God scoops us up and calls us His own. He cleans us up, inside and out, pays for us and gives a life of provision in Him that we couldn’t even imagine. Praise God! Aren’t we grateful! It took me a long time to name Sami. I was looking on a website to assign him one that would have deep meaning and relevance, and remind me of how the Lord showed me the picture of His grace through my encounter with this kitty. Ultimately, nothing seemed to be fitting… I was considering Sami because he looks like a Sami and I have two other cats named Sofi and Suki, so you see how that would fit him into the family. So I looked up the meaning of Samuel and found, “God has heard”. Amen. What makes it even more blessed is that fact that for some reason, Sami doesn’t really have a voice. He opens his mouth and you know his intent, but only a little “eek” comes out. But God heard his cry and answered. Maybe you think I have taken this kitty analogy too far. I could understand you feeling that way, but I ask you to stick with me as I take it one step further, and apply this all to Long Island Youth Mentoring. There are many kids on Long Island, who in a sense have no voice, but the Lord is hearing the cries of their heart and answering them through mentors. You are a part of this rescue mission. It is probable that few things bring more joy than being a part of a successful rescue mission. I cannot express the thrill of seeing Sami doing so well and knowing I was a part of saving this little one’s life. And while I love kitties (as you can tell) how does the value of a child’s life compare? Isn’t it an even greater honor and thrill to see a young one come to be saved by the Master and having a small part of that? As I said, you are a part of this rescue mission. Take joy in that and dive in to all that it entails, knowing that all involved will be Blessed and the Lord will be well pleased. With Love from Lynn † *Names changed
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and Sami too…