Late one night Laura heard the faint mew of a kitten near a large tree right outside her window. She called Todd, but by the time they got outside the kitten was gone.

The next day they heard the distressed cry again, and it wouldn't stop. So Todd told Laura and the boys, "If you find the kitten you can keep it. They were thrilled.

They scouted around their enormous yard, checking every where it might be, but had no success. Finally, they heard the pitiful cry coming from across the street in a large brushy area. But when they got to the area there were briars and poison ivy everywhere, and the kitten was right in the middle. But knowing the results of poison ivy and briars, Laura refused to get tangled up in the mess, so she turned away.

But eight year old Landon refused to turn away. He ignored the briars and poison ivy and waded right into the clump. When he found the deserted kitten it was barely alive. He lifted it carefully and laid it in the palm of his hand. It barely covered one palm. He carried it home gently, and they fed it warm milk until its tummy was fat, and then the little guy fell asleep. Because of Landon's persistence, the kitten was saved from death.

Beloved, this reminds me of God, the Holy Spirit. He will take any risk and stop at nothing to find that lost soul if they cry out to be found. Why? He loves lost souls far more than Landon's family loves their new kitten. So dear lost soul, keep crying out until He finds you. When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. (John 16:13) Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I'm found. Was blind but now I see. (John Newton)

By the way, Landon said, "Because he looks a little like black pepper I'm going to name him Pepper." And you will be happy to know that Pepper is alive and well. Frisky as a kitten, but now, it takes two palms spread out to hold him.

-- Rebecca Somoskey