The Answered Prayer

I stroke his warm, soft fur as he purrs out his unconditional thanks back. As I smooth and caress his soft exterior, I wonder, what if this was the last time I see him? How could I ever know how absolutely prophetic these words actually were...

I love all my cats, but Koby Garfield Morris, Jr., he's my buddy. He was more like a dog then a cat, because he followed me everywhere. I didn't mind though, because Koby was great company.

The evening I pondered this question, we watered my flower garden together, or should I say I was watering and he was trying to get a drink of water from my bucket! Anyhow, we were both there just the same, and I was reminded of our deep love for each other – though expressed in different ways. Upon finishing our routine, we walk back to the house, I give him a final pet and hug goodnight. That was the last time I saw him.

The next morning I went out to feed my cats as usual. Koby wasn't there, but he frequently goes out in the woods exploring so I didn't really think much about it. That is, until my brother told me he had heard some cats fighting the previous night, and wondered if I’d seen him. Koby always got in fights with neighboring cats, and besides a few scrapes and bruises he was fine – usually. But, the day wore on and still no Koby. I began to worry. Where could he be? I tried to calm myself by thinking he was probably in the woods somewhere, occupied by some interesting object. But, after a while, that did not work anymore.

That evening, as I went to water my flowers without my faithful companion, I decided to put God to the test.

You have to understand that I believed in God generally, but had never experienced Him working personally in my life. I mean, I went to church, studied my Bible, etc. but I honestly was still learning to trust God on a personal level. I figured this was His chance to prove His love to me. So, thinking I was doing God a favor, I prayed, "Dear Lord, You say in Your Word that You care about me, and I want to test it out. There are stories in the Bible about You raising people back to life. Now, Lord, I’m asking you to bring my cat back. I don’t know where he is, but You know. If he’s alive, bring him home, and if he’s not alive bring him back to life. Lord, trusting that You will do this, I promise to never doubt You again, and to follow you without a question – that is, if You bring me back my cat..."

 As soon as I finished praying I expected to see Koby come bounding out of the woods, or hear his familiar "meow" coming from some nearby location. But nothing happened.

I laid in bed that night I wrestling with God. Just why didn't He bring my cat back? Doesn't He want me as His child? If He does, why didn't He prove Himself to me?

In my devotions the next morning God lead me to two familiar texts in the Bible that say, ‘…the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ ‘What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?...’ I was stunned. Was God trying to tell me something? Of course! God knew that my prayer did not come from a heart sincerely desiring to know Him better, but from a heart that wanted to use His power for selfish reasons. If He had granted my request, I would have rejoiced in my success, and gone right on in my unbelief. But, by not granting my request He showed real love for me in that He wants to save me- not just satisfy my every whim.

I wish I could say that after coming to this realization,that Koby came running out of the woods from somewhere, and we lived happily ever after...  but I can’t.
Koby never came back. Some of God’s lessons aren't the easiest to learn, but they must be learned. Although my prayer was never answered in the way that I wanted, it was still answered. I am beginning to learn that the God who transforms hearts into new creations is the God who comforts those He has to correct. I’m learning that though I didn't receive my request, I received something far greater, and I’m learning to say with Job, ‘ the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’


Guest contributor, Paige Harraway writes from Monticello, Georgia.

(Job 1:21; 2:10)