Can You See That?

A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.

MADELINE AND ALEX WERE EXCITED to bring a new kitten home. After rescuing their first cat, Zelda, the previous year, they wanted a second one—both to give Zelda a playmate and because they had joyfully embraced the idea of becoming cat people.

They went back to the local shelter where they had gotten Zelda and spent time with many adoptable cats. Madeline wished she could bring them all home, but eventually she and Alex decided on a four- to five-month-old black kitten whom they named Milton. They were excited to bring Milton home and introduce him to Zelda—who welcomed her feline brother with hissing, hiding, and eventually ignoring him.

Milton was perpetual energy covered in black fur. He was the most active kitten Madeleine had ever met, and he brought a heightened and fun level of activity to their home.

Two weeks after they brought Milton home, he was running through the kitchen at full speed and caught his leg on a chair. The moment he got up and started limping, Madeline realized something was wrong.

And it was. Milton had a growth plate fracture in his leg and needed surgery.

“It’s a fairly common injury in kittens,” the vet told Madeline and Alex. “And a relatively common surgery to fix it.”

The young couple loved on Milton one more time before the vet took him back for the procedure, then they went home to await the call that all was well.

Except it wasn’t.

During the surgery Milton had a rare reaction to the anesthesia that caused his heart to stop. The team was able to revive him, but Milton’s brain had briefly been deprived of oxygen. “I’m sorry to say he likely will be blind,” the vet said, explaining the worst-case scenario. “Still, there’s a slim chance his eyesight might return at some point.”

The couple was devastated. It was bad enough that their energetic little kitten would have to be confined to a crate while his leg healed, but now he would also have to adjust to being blind.

After spending several days in the veterinary hospital, Milton came home. Whenever Madeline looked at him lying in the small dog crate, she felt awful. He had to be miserable in such a small space. But then again, she wondered, what will he do when he gets out? Won’t he end up hurting himself again since he can’t see where he’s going?

Madeline eventually turned her worries into prayers for Milton’s eyesight to be restored. She figured if God said to bring all her cares to him, that included her kitten’s eyes. “And God, please give me peace about whatever the future brings.”

Eventually, Milton was allowed out of the crate. Madeline didn’t know what to expect. Would he be afraid to move? Or would he take off and run right into something? Would he break his leg again?

Milton took a few tentative steps, but within minutes he was navigating the apartment by staying close to the furniture and walls, creating invisible paths. Occasionally, he would bump into something, shake his head or tail, and then simply continue on his way. After several days of exploring each room, Milton seemed to have memorized the layout. Madeline praised his progress. But Milton wasn’t done. He didn’t want to remain on the floor—he wanted to go higher!

Madeline held her breath as Milton stood in front of the sofa, jumped, and fell back to the floor. “Oh no!” she said, rushing to make sure he hadn’t injured himself. The little black cat twitched his tail and tried again. He made it. Day after day, Milton attempted a new jump, fell, shook off his defeats, and tried again.

She had never seen such fortitude. Instead of becoming despondent and immobile, the little fuzzball was resolved to figure out how to live without his eyesight. He even attempted to play with Zelda—who was less than sympathetic to her little brother’s situation.

“It’s like he’s choosing joy,” Madeline commented to Alex one night.

A few months after the injury, Milton jumped up on the sofa to join Madeline. Usually he would make his way over and lie down next to her. But this time he climbed onto her lap and began swatting at the red logo on her gray sweatshirt.

“Wait, can you see that?” she asked Milton, quickly grabbing a red bookmark and holding it in front of him.

Milton swatted at that, too.

Later that week, the vet examined Milton and confirmed what Madeline and Alex had prayed to be true. Milton could see!

Madeline couldn’t stop hugging her resilient little kitty, nor thanking her prayer-answering Father for caring for the things that mattered to her—especially a little dynamo named Milton.

PAWS & PONDER . . .

What are some evidences of a peaceful heart? Do you think it’s possible to have a peaceful heart in the midst of stressful circumstances? What role do you think prayer plays in pursuing peace? Does your heart long for peace today? If so, will you take a few moments and talk to God about that?

Paws & Pray

Lord, my heart craves peace. Not temporary happiness or a brief respite from stress, but true, abiding, life-giving peace. Peace strong enough to endure all of life’s storms. Peace that only you can give. Father, please flood my heart, mind, and body with your peace. I want to inhale your peace and exhale everything else.