Sometimes, in our lives, the smallest of blessings arrive just when we need them, yet long before we realize their significance. It's in these moments we see the tapestry of God’s grace woven intricately into our daily lives, preparing us for the changes and challenges ahead.
Such was the case with Snuggly, our cherished cat, who came into our lives three months before our youngest daughter, Michelle, or we affectionally call her Mei, was set to embark on her college journey. Little did we know, Snuggly would fill a space in our hearts in ways more than we could ask or imagine.
Dave and Snuggly encouraging us to LOOK UP! Psalm 121
How It All Started
One Friday night in June 2019, Dave was picking Mei up from FNL, our church’s youth meeting. I was outside, talking to a friend who visited me earlier. After she left, I decided to stay outside to wait for Dave and Mei. Not long after my friend left, a sweet kitten crossed the street and started caressing my feet. She flopped and wanted me to stroke her. My heart melted. I wanted to adopt her.
I started loving on her and soon Dave and Mei arrived. The kitten stayed and didn’t run away. Mei started petting her. Now we both looked at Dave, begging his permission to allow us to adopt the kitten, since she was so sweet. Dave, being the protective husband who knew my long history of allergies with dogs and cats and any furry animals, said 'No' right away. The next few days we allowed her to be outside. Mei and I named her Snuggly.
One day our neighbor took Snuggly to her house and that night Mei and I were greatly distressed. We wanted Snuggly. Praise the Lord, we were able to get her back. Snuggly seemed to know, since she stayed with us.
Dave slowly warmed up to her. He started playing with her, but still, the boundary was set to be just outside, downstairs.
Then one day, there was a bully cat outside trying to harm Snuggly. Dave’s protective and fatherly instinct kicked in, so he allowed Snuggly to come inside the house, and the rest is history.
Snuggly loafing at 6 months old
Such A Joy
Little did we know that she became such a gift to us, more than we ever could imagine. We were not a cat family. Now we can’t imagine life without her. Snuggly gives us such a comforting presence and love.
Sweetie Snuggly Pearman quickly became a cherished family member. She is our beautiful Bengal-calico cat with her multicolored coat of orange, black, and white. She accompanies us with her expressive eyes that reflect a gentle and observant nature.
Her favorite person is Dave, but she loves all of us, even my mom, my brother and his family, our office staff, or our friends who visit from time to time. She was a source of joy when Dave’s mom was still alive and still able to talk on the phone. Every Saturday Dave would call and talk about Snuggly’s antics and she would chuckle and laugh. This continued until the phone call lasted shorter and shorter, and until Clo was no longer able to hold the phone.
Dave showing a video of Snuggly to Mo which delighted her so much.
A Perfect Gift From Above
Snuggly loves to sit close to me when I work at my desk, or curl up beside Dave while he rests, showcasing her affection and the soothing companionship she offers.
She is also “kepo” or “nosey”. She wants to know what’s going on. If Dave and I laughed so hard in our room, then she’d come and join us, unless we faked it, then she always knew. If the neighbor got a delivery, she would meaw so hard, so we would know. Each time a maintenance guy came to fix our AC, she had to “watch” and make sure. When the construction guys came to fix the road in front of our house, she wanted me to hold her up to the fence so she could “check on their work”.
She is just a perfect gift from the Lord. Her arrival before our daughter's departure for college was perfectly timed by the Lord, providing emotional support and filling the impending gap with her gentle purrs and comforting presence. Your Father Knows Exactly
Whenever we look at her, we can’t help thinking how God loves us so much to bless us with a sweetie. And He gave to us before we knew we would need her. That’s how good our Heavenly Father is. Matthew 6:8 “Your Father knows exactly what you need before you ask Him.”
Can you recount how many times God provided for you something before you knew you needed it? Share in the comments below. And please put your name, since we can’t see it in the column.
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