Gabriel’s Story

Blessings may come from God in unusual and unexpected ways. Sometimes we don’t realize at the time He is speaking to us. I would like to tell the story of a most unusual experience I had which has taught me to listen to the small ways God can speak to us, in order to bring His unexpected blessings.

It was a sunny July afternoon when my daughter, Kaitlin and I headed to our Vet’s office to take our tabby cat, Tiger, for his routine shots. When we arrived, we notice a tall cage with a tiny black and white kitten in it. Kaitlin asked the receptionist if she could get the kitten out and hold it? The receptionist gave her an affirmative answer, so she opened the cage and reached in to pick up the kitten. As she cuddled the him, I spied a solid white kitten in the bottom of the cage. So of course I had to get the bundle of fluff out and hold him as well. I had to admit, as I held this white snowball, he was adorable. I inquired about him and the office assistant told me they were both found wandering on a farm and thought to be brothers. I was contemplating possibly getting one of the kittens, So, I thought, it doesn’t hurt to ask about adoption. The receptionist said, “They did not want to separate them, to be adopted, they came as a pair.” “Nuts!” That wasn’t the answer I was hoping for. I was thinking, “Maybe we could get just one tiny kitten, but I don’t think my husband would agree to two tiny kittens and in my mind, with reason and rational thinking still present, I considered this whole notion a bad idea.” After all, we already had two cats at home. Well that was that, “I thought”, any idea of getting them went right out the window.

About that time the Vet called us to come back with Tiger and we placed the adorable kittens back in their cage and said our goodbyes. Tiger got his physical and came through with flying colors and we merrily went back home not giving the kittens another thought.

However, for three nights in a row, I had dreams about the kittens. In the dreams I would see someone hand me the black and white kitten and I would say, “This is not my kitten, the white one is MY kitten”. Every night it was the same dream over and over. I would wake up and think, “Am I supposed to have that white kitten? This is crazy.”

Finally, by the third night, I told “Kaitlin," Just call and check and see if they even still have those kittens, I am sure they have been adopted by now!” I can’t take these dreams any more. I asked her to call because there was part of me that was afraid they would say they were gone and part of me that was afraid they would say they were still available. She called and sure enough, they still had them.

Well, now I am in a quandary of what to do. My husband was not home, he had gone to pick up our son at soccer camp and I needed to decide, do I go get these kittens and see this as a sign from God? I mulled it over. Now I was in a quandary. It didn’t help that Kaitlin and my other daughter Madeline were with me as we discussed the situation. You see they were excited about the possibility of getting new additions to the family. The pressure was on and I needed to think clearly and make a good decision that everyone would be happy with.

I called the vets office, myself and talked to them. Well, they gave me a sign. They said, “You can foster the kittens and see if they get along with your other cats! At this point that was all I needed. I was tired of being tormented by these dreams night after night. I thought, “foster”, that is all I need to hear! I knew there was a “return factor” on these kittens if they didn’t work out with our other cats and if my husband objected to this decision. This was a test run of faith since I really felt the dreams were God telling me to go get that white kitten and I couldn’t get him without the other one. If I had missed it, I could take them back.

The three of us got in the car, excited and headed to the vet’s office where we were definitely on mission and picked up the pair. Now the three of us were in this together! Both girls held the kittens on the way home. It was a joyous day for the women of the house! Madeline had never been a huge animal fan, but now she had the prospect of having her own kitten. She had decided the black and white kitten would be hers.

When we arrived back home, my son and husband were back, and my husband was mowing the yard. The moment of truth and what we had done was getting ready to be revealed. I wasn’t sure how he would take it, or if God would make a way, but I had to tell him.

When he saw me at the back door, he stopped mowing and came to greet me. I held up the white kitten. He smiled and said, “Oh you got a kitten!” Then my other daughter held up the black kitten and he said, “Oh, you got two kittens!” I explained about the fostering. He smiled and rolled with it. Whew! I was relieved. Madeline told him the black and white one could be hers and how she never had a kitten. We all explained about the fostering and we knew he wasn’t buying it. But he was a good sport about it. If it had been a disaster, they could have gone back, but as God would have it, it worked out.

My husband had known about my dreams and he knew we wanted those kittens. He was ok with it. He helped us acclimate the new kittens with the other two adult kittens by setting up a temporary cage in the house to allow the kittens limited access to the others until they all learned to live together. He was a very good sport about it all.

We decided to name Madeline’s kitten Beau, because he looks like he wears a tuxedo. The girls decided to name the white kitten Gabriel. He slept on a pillow between my husband and I for the first six months. It turns out they are most likely a Turkish Angora mix, so they are extremely fluffy and soft. Gabriel has a big fluffy tail like a fluffy boa!

Beau and Gabriel

I do believe he was heaven sent just for me. He has been a constant companion for me. He is the most lovable pet I have every owned. He has been with me through many transitions in my life including all my children transitioning to college, moving out of state or getting married. He has been with me through difficult times of losing loved ones, illness, joy and celebrations and just the day to day walking through life. He has been such a loving four legged friend.

Kaitlin and Gabriel napping together.

Many people do not view cats as having personalities or being affectionate, but this special cat has been my constant companion. He has been very affectionate, playful, loving and fun. He will come to me when I whistle for him. Many times he just jumps up on me and snuggles close to my face and touches me nose to nose. I love the closeness of such a sweet natured kitty. Through this special gift from above, it never ceases to amaze me how our precious God choses to bless us with His beautiful creation and how they provide a shining light to our lives. To God be the glory for these simple, yet, beautiful treasures of friendship in His creation made just for us to enjoy.

Each day when I get up, I thank God for his gracious gifts to me. Gabriel is snuggled next to me waiting for me to start my day. It feeds my spirit to focus on the simple blessings and to see God in them all around me. Even in recurring dreams which got my attention so I would move to go back and get this special kitty. Thank You God for speaking to me through my dreams. He really is My cat!

"It will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions”. Joel 2:28 KJV

By Melanie Perry

Comments:

I would love to hear about your experiences and how God has shown up in your life. Please feel free to share here! What blessed you may bless others.