Light Bringer
One evening, on the way to buy a frosty after VBS, I saw the tiniest flash of white leap from the edge of Raphine Road into the brush. “Is that a kitten?” I exclaimed as I pulled the car over. I opened the car door and heard the most pitiful little mew repeatedly. I crossed over the road and there she was in the bushes. The tiniest little white and orange fluff ball you’ve ever seen! Seeing nor hearing any other kittens or a mama cat about, I determined to at least take her back to the house to keep her safe until we decided what to do with her. With the carnival coming the next week and the traffic on the road, I simply couldn’t leave her out there alone. The following morning, we took her to the vet…and then there were four (cats that is). In my defense, I did try to give her away to several people.
We named her Lucy Furr. She is living into this name, 110%! She is wild and woolly approximately three-fourths of the time. Since we have been staying with my parents, she has enjoyed sitting pretty-as-you-please in the dining room, safely ensconced behind a pet gate, torturing the dog, Izzy, who impatiently barks and sticks her nose under the kitchen side of the gate trying to get to her. Lucy recently discovered how to scale the gate and leap over into the kitchen…she’s had some rude awakenings in those instances. She also climbs my legs, slashes my hands while typing, and attacks my hair like a vicious beast. Lucy Furr indeed!
But she is also living in her name in another way; one I did not realize would be so poignant when we rescued her. You see, calling her Lucy came to mind as soon as I picked her up, before I even knew her gender. The reason Lucy Furr came about was because Michael and Kemper were joking about naming the kitten Lucifer…thinking that would be hilarious for a PK (Pastor’s Kitty). And so, it is. But several people have commented that God sent Lucy to us to help us through our grief in these last few weeks. I believe that is absolutely the case. Then I looked up what the name Lucy means, and it means “light” or “light bringer.” How cool is that? God literally sent Lucy to us in some of our darkest days to bring light into our hearts. Because she isn’t always a wild child. She is also Queen Bean…she snuggles up and sleeps under my chin. She licks our faces in the morning and purrs in our ears like a bumble bee. She has brought laughter and comfort in a time when tears and discomfort are paramount.
I may not always know what will come next, but I’ve had plenty of reminders that God has always had his eye on the sparrow. I know he watches me.
Even the sparrow finds a home
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
-Psalm 84:3
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. 7 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.—Luke 12:6-7