Last Sunday was traumatic. Sevgi, our kitten, climbed the ash tree. It was easier to go up than down, so soon she was high above the ground and literally out on a limb! She is fearlessly adventurous and curious, but she’s still little, and though her sense of balance and spatial awareness are developing fast, she can still get it wrong. Indoors, she’ll leap up to a ledge chasing a fly, only to miss and come down with a bump, and no, she doesn’t always land on her feet.
Our faithful neighbour friends gathered in our garden calling and coaxing. We used binoculars to see her; she was so high and often hidden by foliage. We spread duvets underneath, and coaxed some more. The steep downward climb seemed too hard for her, and for three hours she would approach the trunk, mew like crazy, then go back along the branch.
Of course, we were praying. Then something unexpected happened. Three menacing magpies began to circle above her, squawking and closing in. I think she realised she couldn’t fight them off and still hang on to her branch. Her fear of the birds became greater than her fear of the difficult descent; she found enough desperation to try. I couldn’t watch! Each small section was heart in the mouth stuff, but I’m sure an angel was sent to support her as she scrambled her way down. All ended well and with an overwhelming sense of relief we enjoyed a celebratory sherry with our neighbours.
Good Fear
I’m still amazed and so thankful that Sevgi is safe and well, and after 45 years I’m still amazed my own life was saved and all is now well with my soul!
In my early 20s I made a series of foolish, bad choices that seemed exciting at the time – like Sevgi climbing her tree. Only my life was spiralling downwards! Just about that time my brother came to faith in Christ and began praying for me. He invited me to a weekend away and I went.
The speaker quoted the words of Jesus, ‘He who is not with me is against me.’ (Luke 11: 23) Suddenly there was revelation. It was as if a thick black curtain came down between me and the others in the group. They were together with Jesus in the light and I was on the outside, alone in the darkness. A sense of foreboding came over me, a fear of impending doom. My life was headed for a bad end, and for the first time I felt a healthy fear of God
Out on a Limb
A ceilidh was planned for that evening, but I didn’t feel like dancing. I wandered out into the night. It was dark and lonely – just like I was feeling. How I needed a saviour and I found myself pouring out my soul in repentance to God. I had never understood why Jesus had died on the Cross. That night I realised he had died for me – quite literally, he had gone out on a limb to save me. He died on a tree!
A ceilidh was planned for that evening, but I didn’t feel like dancing. I wandered out into the night. It was dark and lonely – just like I was feeling. How I needed a saviour and I found myself pouring out my soul in repentance to God. I had never understood why Jesus had died on the Cross. That night I realised he had died for me – quite literally, he had gone out on a limb to save me. He died on a tree!
When I arrived at the ceilidh it was as if the celebration had been laid on because of me, like in the lost sheep, lost coin and prodigal son parables of Luke 15, reflecting the joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Our celebration glass of sherry with our neighbour friends seemed very appropriate. We really thought our kitten couldn’t survive her folly, but our little Sevgi was safe in my arms.
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