Pets on Moving: Sweet Pea's Perspective, Part Three

Grace Notes-column

Good Things to Come!

As I write this column it’s been six weeks since the day our lives changed forever! Mom is sitting on our front porch alternately crocheting a blanket and doing homework for tonight’s class. Earlier in the morning Mom made Winter Vegetable Beef Soup and a fresh loaf of Rye bread. After she cleaned up the dishes and sorted the laundry, we came out to the porch.  I took a turn enjoying the sunshine and warm temperatures by scratching my back on the porch rug and chasing imaginary bugs across the floor. Mom has jazz playing on the stereo now, and the scent of dry leaves, neighborhood cats (GRR!), a stray dog or two filters through the cracks of the door. The sound of birds chirping and squirrels chattering as they rounded up a few remaining nuts for winter sent me to the window. I looked longingly outside, and then back at Mom. I made a quick decision. I jumped to the floor, ran and jumped on Mom’s lap where I promptly settled down for a (very brief) nap. Mom smiled, scratched my ears and then jumped up to get the phone. Life here in the new place is good. We move at a relaxing, slower pace. God was right. As scary, chaotic and stressful as our lives were at the old place His decision to move us to a new home was the right plan for us. I can’t wait for more good things to come!

Pets on Moving, Sweet Pea's Perspective, Part Two

Grace Notes-column

The Day Our Lives Changed Forever!

Hello again! Mom is taking another break this week so I’m back to share the second part of my story.

As I was saying last week, it took quite a long while for me to open up to Mom. Every time the two-legs who had abused me showed up to harass us, Mom made sure to protect me so I knew I could trust her. But because of the trauma I had endured in my past the sudden changes in my present sent me scurrying to the closet for cover.

Does Fear or Faith Rule your Heart?

The night before moving day, God visited me again. He asked me this question “Does fear rule your heart or faith?” Neither Mom nor I could sleep that night because we were both restless. Trusting God to provide another home meant taking risks, and embracing change as a friend rather than viewing it as an enemy. Mom had more faith than me, after breakfast was over, the rest of the packing done and we had our daily devotions from God’s Word, Mom prayed, “Okay Papa God, I’ve done everything I can now send us the help we need to move.”

At 10:30 a.m. people started showing up. Every time Mom would get tired she asked God to send more arms and fresh strength. He did but I hid. When Mom and Heather packed, when the people showed up to carry the boxes and furniture out to the trucks, cars, and vans; I hid until Mom came to find me after the last boxes and heavy furniture were loaded on the truck at 7 p.m. She tried coaxing me out of the closet but I was frozen stiff with fear so she picked me up, put me into my carrier and whisked me away to a new home.  By 9:15 p.m. we were tucked into our bed at our new home. As scary as the move was I can honestly say that Mom’s faith helped me to overcome my fears. I’m 9 years old and I’ve lived in one place for my whole life but I’m discovering there is more in this world I want to see!

Oops! Gotta go! Mom’s stirring from her nap! Next Week…more Good Things to come!

Pets on Moving: Sweet Pea's Perspective, Part One

Grace Notes--column
Hello! My name is Sweet Pea. Mom is taking a break this week so I graciously decided to fill in for her. OOPS! Just as long as Mom doesn't catch me typing on her keyboard. Be right back!
Okay, Mom is napping soundly so I'm good to go. Where was I? Oh, yes. I am a nine year old female brown and gray tiger cat. I've never lived anywhere else but our old place so this move to a new place really upset me, at first.
My History
Nine years ago, Mom rescued me from an abusive home. At first, all I wanted to do was hide under the bed, eat, and sleep. Mom was very patient though, and after a while I opened up and began to play and talk to her about my troubles. She listened and stroked my back. I know she loves me very much.
Shortly after I moved in with Mom, God and I had a talk. He comes to visit quite often and on this particular visit God appointed me to be Mom's guardian angel. Mom is a writer and sometimes she forgets to feed me or herself so God asked me to remind her to eat, sleep and relax. I am very good at my job. 

Before The Move
In the months before we moved I knew Mom was stressed. She didn't want to play or talk to me very much. There was constant noise from the two-legs upstairs and Mom kept the blinds closed so I couldn't look out and the two-legs couldn't look in. Heather, a two-leg who helps Mom with errands, housework and other stuff, opened the door one day to find boxes had magically appeared. From then on, the Box Fairies made sure we never ran out of boxes to pack our things in. Periodically, the property manager would come over and talk roughly to Mom. She would cry afterward. I didn't like him much because he smelled of sweat and alcohol most of the time.
On the night before the move, God came to visit again. He knew we both needed reassurance. He told me the next few days would pass in a blur, I may be scared by all the activity just like Mom but I didn't need to be afraid. God said this move was something He had wanted for us for a long time. He also said life would be better for us once we settled into our new place. I believed Him.   
OOPS! Mom's awake! I have to go but next week...The Day Our Lives Changed Forever! {:O)