Laura J. Davis

At the beginning of this summer, we discovered a baby kitten outside our back door. Adorable and sweet, I immediately set about to get him to trust me by feeding him. Unfortunately, his mother was always close by and had taught him not to trust humans. I could set out a bowl of food, but if I tried to touch the kitten he would run away in fear. He would run away, even as I set the bowl out! His mother on the other hand, would stay close to the food, but hiss at me the entire time I was putting it out. Talk about ungrateful!

This is momma.

Throughout the summer the momma cat has continued to hiss at me. We know that she is feral and unlikely to trust humans and it is likely that her little one is feral too. However, I continued to try to gain their trust. The little one (I call him Pip), will play with my fingers now, but if I attempt to pet him, he runs away. Momma, just sits on the deck and waits for the food, occasionally meowing at her offspring to not get too close to me. Both come when they are called now, but still - no trust.

This week as the rain,temperatures and leaves started to fall, I could see Pip outside my door shaking with the cold. I opened the door, so he could feel the inviting heat from inside the house, but he would not enter. After all this time, he still does not trust me.

Pip is taking his cues from his mother on whom to trust and no matter how long I keep my door open, he still won't cross the threshold. Why? Because of fear. What about you? Is your fear holding you back from trusting in God? Perhaps, you have been sensing that God is leading you in a new direction, but you are too afraid to step out in faith and trust Him. Maybe, you don't have a relationship with Christ yet because you have been too afraid to give up control of your life. Don't be like Pip, so afraid that he can't see the new life waiting for him.

Take a chance today. Trust God with that problem you are having. Trust Him for your health and your finances and your children. Most importantly, trust Him with your life because He gave His for you!

Jesus says in Revelation 3:20: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if anyone hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me."

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)