Not too long ago, Katniss, our overly affectionate “compound cat”, gave birth to four kittens in our tool shed. Later, she moved her one-week-old kittens behind our barbecue set. However, that very night, there was a sudden, heavy downpour. Working on an assignment in my bedroom, I called Darianne, my youngest sister who was downstairs, to go check whether the kittens’ current spot was safe and not yet flooded. At that moment, she and Dorothy, my younger sister, were about to film a video in the Games room but were stuck having to deal with a leaking ceiling. Hurrying out, they peered behind the barbecue set. The helpless kittens cried – they could barely lift their tiny heads above the water level! Katniss struggled to try finding a safe spot for all her four kittens. Alas, time was running out! What more, she could only carry them one at a time!
Dorothy and Darianne rushed upstairs to inform the rest of us. Once Dada figured out how to rescue the kittens without being attacked by their mother, we rushed down the stairs. Using a long-handled trash litter picker, we managed to pick up the kittens one by one and put them into a cardboard box. Soaking wet, Katniss stood all alone beneath the barbecue stand. Separated from her babies, she began to cry. Darianne bent over to feed her kibbles which she readily ate – poor thing was famished with all the running about. Then, Abdur, one of our household staff, attempted to carry her. We silently prayed that she would understand that we were only trying to help her. Thankfully, she did not resist and allowed him to carry her away, even though she had no idea where. In the Games room, we used a hairdryer and towel to dry Katniss and her kittens, who were all drenched. Once they were dry, Katniss fed them. Once her little ones nodded off to sleep, she glanced at us and began to purr as if to say, “Thank you.” It was so precious to see them all together cuddling and sleeping despite the thunderstorm.
Strangely, before knowing that Katniss was pregnant, I had a dream that we had five more cats. Plus, I saw the Games room flooring in the dream. In fact, I had even shared my dream earlier with my mom and sisters. However, I never imagined that Dada would actually let us keep more cats! But my dream did come true – there were now five cats on the Games room floor!
All this reminded me of the “power of intervention”. These kittens were not old enough to fend for themselves. They could not yet move and could hardly lift their heads above the rising waters. Hence, they would have been unable to survive in the rain if Katniss single-handedly tried to solve the situation by herself. However, since Katniss allowed us to intervene, she and her family were brought to a place of safety. A place away from the storm. A place that provided food, protection, shelter, and warmth. Only because she trusted us were we able to come to her aid. If not, her kittens would not have made it against the sudden change of weather.
Likewise, we too face “floods”. Floods which we are totally helpless against and that we cannot in our own strength survive them. For example, our floods can either be something going on in the world, in our workplace, in our schools, in our homes, or even in ourselves. They are situations that we are incapable of solving by ourselves. They are out of our control! In fact, we can barely lift our faces above the waters. It is just so easy to succumb to the waves of pressure and fear that we end up drowning beneath them. Only a higher power can save us. That higher power is Jesus! “He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters” (Psalm 18:6 NLT). Only He from above can intervene! Even the winds and waves obey Him! When we cry out to Him, He will answer! He will intervene! When He does, it is a Divine intervention! When we rely on Him and trust His helping hand, He will carry us to a place of safety – a Psalm 91 haven. However, sometimes we find it very difficult to trust Him and surrender, especially when we want to be in control and believe that we know a better way to survive. But swimming against the tide is only going to make us tired. My advice? Give it up. Though the world may preach it, God never told us that we have to be “self-sufficient”. He said, “My grace is ‘sufficient’ for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV). He is everything you need and will ever need! In times of distress, He is like what the old hymn sings “A Shelter in the Time of Storm”.
Psalm 3:2-5 echoes within:
Psalm 3:2-5 (NIV)
2 Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.”
3 But You, Lord, are a Shield around me,
my Glory, the One who lifts my head high.
4 I call out to the Lord,
and He answers me from His holy mountain.
5 I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
Trust in the Lord and rely on His strength, not yours. His wisdom and strength far surpass that of our own. Remember the song based upon a parable that we used to sing when we were little – “The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock”? Though the rains, wind, and floods came, the house on the rock stood still. The moral of the story? Build your house on the rock! That rock is the Word of God. That Rock is Jesus! Truly, as Psalm 62:6 (KJV) declares, “He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my defence; I shall not be moved”. If Jesus is our rock, our hope, and our place of safety, we will not be shaken! We will not be moved! This world, as we all can agree, is crazy, chaotic, and constantly changing. But not Jesus! He is immovable, faithful, secure, and constant. As stated in Hebrews 13:8 (NLT), He “is the same yesterday, today, and forever”! If our feet are planted on this Rock, the raging waters cannot overwhelm us or drag us down. We on the Rock are far above the waves – they cannot reach us! As in Psalm 32:6 (NIV), “Therefore, let all the faithful pray to You while You may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.” Call upon Him while He is near! Keep remembering His Word and faithful promises! When you do, you will experience the power of His Divine intervention! He will place you far above the waves! If we stand anywhere else, we shall inevitably be swept away. But if we stand upon the Rock Who is Christ, there we shall forever stay! Then there we shall all jubilantly sing, “On Christ the Solid Rock, I Stand! All other ground is sinking sand… All other ground is sinking sand…”
Bindu Oommen
July 12, 2020
Hi Danielle, I so enjoyed reading this… your compassion towards the kittens mirrors God’s compassion towards us… very touching & beautifully written.
Tamara
April 14, 2020
Dear Danielle,
Its the first time I read one of your writings and posts. May the Lord bless you!
You are very talented and have a lovely way in communicating, elaborating and expressing.
Thank you for sharing such an inspiring story and referring to many valuable readings from the Word of God.
Best wishes,
Tamara
Paapi
April 1, 2020
Thanks for sharing dear
Blessed.
marideth villasorda
March 30, 2020
Amen thank you so much Danielle you are such a blessing to many..
Danielle
March 31, 2020
Thank you for your kind words, Marideth!
Annie Geevarghese
March 29, 2020
Dear Danielle
We are really blessed to have daughter like you…Thanks for uer encouraged words..Stay Blessed Molu
Danielle
March 29, 2020
Thank you so much, Aunty Meena!
Amala Florence
March 29, 2020
Dear Danielle, its so heartening to see how you intertwined & brought out a parallel story with such depth & meaning, so relevant & it speaks to us individually as we are all blessed with extra special time being homebound, to take this as a blessing from ABOVE. May God continue to Bless you richly & use you to keep us blessed. Love you dearly, aunty Amala
Danielle
March 29, 2020
Thank you, Aunty Amala! Love you too!
Mindy
March 28, 2020
Danielle this is just beautiful!!! He IS a Good Good Father. We can trust Him with everything. A timely word!!!! We are so glad the added kittens are good and HOME!
We love each of you
Danielle
March 29, 2020
Thank you so much, Aunt Mindy! I love and miss you very much! ❤
Debbie
March 28, 2020
Danielle you are a blessing! Thanks for the encouragement
So true! Jesus expects us to trust Him with this kind of attitude and response.
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15).
Danielle
March 29, 2020
I am glad to hear that it encouraged you, Aunty Debbie!
Jemimah Murray
March 28, 2020
Thank you, dear Danielle, for this “word in season” … blessed!
Love you muchly,
Aunty Jemimah ♥️
[Psalm 45:1]
Danielle
March 29, 2020
Love you too, Aunty Jemimah!
Sharon
March 25, 2020
Dear Danielle,
I was personally encouraged and blessed reading your post on the plight and redemption of the little kittens and their mom. Keep sharing your beautiful glimpses of heaven as we are strengthened and hopeful for God’s intervention!
Lots of love,
Aunty Sharon.
Danielle
March 29, 2020
I am happy it encouraged you, Aunty Sharon! Love you too!