Over the past five years, we’ve noticed a few mice around the property. We had been talking about getting a few barn cats this Spring to help control the mice. JoJo is always looking at animals despite the fact that we have several already! She frequently looks at Facebook Groups and shelters just to see what’s available in hopes that we’ll get just “one more dog”… 🤦♀️🙅♀️
So, a few weeks ago she noticed a post in a Facebook group from a woman selling 4 cats that were living in her garage. They were dropped near her property and she had already gotten them fixed. Little did we know that a week after JoJo saw that post both she and Bradley would see a mouse while working outside and freak out…
Long story short, we picked up the cats Sunday afternoon.
There’s one boy and three girls, Chuck, Sally, Lucy, and Patty. They’re all black with subtle differences so we got them collars to differentiate them. Yes, they have names but Chuck is the only one we were able to capture long enough to put a collar on. Eventually the three girls will get a collar and the name matching that collar. Patty’s is green with pink hearts, Lucy has a navy blue collar, Sally’s is a sparkly blue, and Chuck’s is yellow.
The Peaunts gang has a nice set up in the shed for now. Complete with food, a box to sleep in, a litter box, and plenty of places to hide. They’re still pretty skittish right now and we don’t see much of them besides their glowing eyes. Today though, I got a good look at one of them!! 🥰 They’re too quick to photograph, but I’m sure they’ll come around in time.
Over the last three months these cats have been though a lot. Getting dumped in the middle of nowhere, getting caught, and having surgery. Getting captured and put into a crate only to be taken to a brand new place with brand new people. It’ll take them a while to warm up to us. But we’re being patient with them. Making sure they have what they need and simply sitting out there for at least 30 minutes everyday getting them used to humans. If we get lucky enough to see a cat up close we talk to it. Encouraging it and reminding it that it’s okay.
These cats have been the talk of the house this week.
We’re all wondering how they’re adjusting and patiently waiting for them to come around and be social. But the way that we’re patiently waiting for them to get adjusted, showing up and simply sitting out there, talking to them when we do see them…It reminds me of how God is with us.
“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”
~2 Peter 3:9
One of the things that never ceases to amaze me about God is His patience. I’m sorta like the greedy girl Veruca Salt from “Willly Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”. I want what I want and I want it now. I don’t like to wait. Once I make up my mind I’m all in. I want to do it all right now…But the thing with God is that He is patient. He works with us, in us, to accomplish His will in our lives (Philippans 2:13). He’s continually guiding us, showing us the way forward one step at time (Psalm 32:8, Psalm 119:105).
He doesn’t play favorites…Good things aren’t just reserved for the “good” people and “bad” people aren’t always being punished. Though at times our choices do require us to pay the consequences (Matthew 5:45). He loves us all because we’re made in HIS image (John 3:16 & Genesis 1:26-27).
God won’t force Himself on us. He does want a relationship with us, but He wants us to choose Him, the same way He chose us (John 15:16) and He’s willing to patiently wait for us to come around and realize our need for Him… Becasue the truth is, He wants us all there with Him for eternity (2 Peter 3:9).
Until next time,
Bailey Sue
