It’s the classic story of a kitten stuck in a tree.
Our 10 week old kittens are big enough to roam a bit outside to explore the land until they want relief from the July heat. They meow at the door until I let them inside where they can sprawl their warm bodies across the cool hardwood floors.
Paisley is the only girl in this litter and the smallest one at that. She’s also the more adventurous one, eager to explore unfamiliar territories. Her fearlessness, while admirable, has landed her in perilous places. The other day was no exception.
It was in the early afternoon when I heard the meowing at the door, but when I opened the door only two of the kittens came in. I figured Paisley was just having too much fun to be inside, but I played it safe and walked out to find out what she’s up to. She wasn’t in their usual hangout spots so I ventured out to exploratory areas of the yard, calling out her name in my caretaker tone. It was at this point that I heard a faint meow.
It’s funny how we learn the tones of the ones we love, even the ones who are little and furry. Her meow wasn’t one of delight but of distress. My search became more urgent but I simply couldn’t find her. Even when I could hear her cries right by me, I didn’t see her anywhere. I finally called out to my husband to help me.
Both of us were turning over lawn decorations, looking through tight spaces (finding a very active wasp nest in the process). Her cries never stopped in the process.
She was close and yet hidden.
Michael finally said, “Is she in one of the trees?” So we start circling the base of a black walnut tree, looking up into the entangled branches that stretch out in every direction. And that’s when I saw a branch that looked unlike the others; It was small, orange, and furry. It was her tail.
Chasing curiosity led to climbing steep branches, which is easier to do for a cat than climbing back down.
As long as we were in her line of vision, she slowly and carefully made her way her down toward us. Paisley finally reached a point where Michael could reach her, and we brought her inside where she got lots of cuddles, water, and a cool hardwood floor. She was safe and sound again.
“LORD, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them.” ~Psalm 10:17
I love that we have a God who assures us that when we cry out to Him, He hears. There’s no place too far away for Him to not hear our cries. He doesn’t have to search for us like I did for Paisley. He knows exactly where we are every time. He’ll lead us safely down the tree where we’re stuck, bring us comfort, and give us rest.
Songs for seasons such as this:
“Are You listening? ‘Cause I need You to hold me now. You speak to the storm and the waves die down, and I was lost in the water.”
“Oh, I’ll just keep singing ’cause in the morning when I wake up, I just say, ‘God’s got me.’”
“There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary, and love for the broken heart. And there is grace & forgiveness, mercy & healing. He’ll meet you wherever you are. Cry out to Jesus.”
Eyes Upon Jesus 
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