The Kitten, The Junk, And A Guy Named Jake

A True Story of God’s Wonder Working Power

By Christina Dawson

It all started with that wild-eyed, gray kitten. Little did I know, that kitten was about to completely change everything!

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Yesterday morning I wrestled with the thought that our 30 day ‘Who’s Your One?’ prayer campaign was ending. My heart ached as I wrote down as many names as I could think of that didn’t know Jesus.

I prayed fervently, asking God to show me how to ‘carry the burden’ of all these souls. What was I to do to help these people see the truth?

I prayed that I would no longer be only a light. I asked God to make me strong enough to carry a flame . . . kind of intense, I know, but none-the-less it’s what I prayed.

On the way to church I was brought to a sudden halt in the alley by a tiny gray kitten lying in the middle of the road. I had no choice but to pull over by the piles of junk I’ve been so curious about for the past couple of years.

I couldn’t catch the kitten to save my life. He was having nothing to do with me. I was so intent on catching it, I didn’t notice that a man had walked up. “You can’t catch that kitten,” the man said, making me jump!

At first, I was frightened, but I quickly realized he was no danger.

“I live in that house right there with my wife”, he said pointing past the piled up junk. “My name’s Jake. That’s the only kitten left alive. You can’t catch him.”

“Hello, Jake,” I replied as I continued trying to catch the kitten (not sure what I would do with it if I did!)

For about 15 minutes, Jake talked on and on while I tried to catch the kitten. Then I stopped and just listened. I could see that he needed a kind person to talk to. He was broken, both physically and spiritually. He gave me permission to come back later and try to catch the kitten again.

Now very late, I headed to Sunday School. I wanted so badly to invite him to church, but I just couldn’t. For some reason, in that particular moment it didn’t seem genuine, but I intended to do it when the time was right. 

As I walked into church, I was deep in thought. What was I to do? Add Jake’s name to the list in my prayer guide? Then what? My heart was heavy.

I headed for the stairs. I was 20 minutes late. Becky called to me as I passed the church office, “I’ll add your name to your Sunday School class, Christina!”

Oh no, I was intending to skip the embarrassment of my egregious lateness and head to the choir suite, but now I couldn’t cheat the numbers. I reluctantly made my way toward my Sunday School class and sat down next to my teacher. She was already deep into the lesson.

Suddenly, to my shock, my emotions began to well up. I was completely consumed with thoughts of Jake and all his junk. Tears poured down my face. I was so embarrassed, but I couldn’t stop them. The more I tried to quiet myself, the more upset I became. It wasn’t long before the whole class was staring at me bewildered, and one lady ran across the room with a package of tissues.

I blubbered on and on, through my tears, about the kitten. (I know they were probably thinking I had lost my mind.) Finally I got to the part about the man at the junk house. Eventually, I regained my composure enough to explain that my heart was heavy for the lost. All of these precious women began to chime in, encouraging me and each other. Just then, the door opened and a woman walked in.

The poor woman must have thought I was crazy. She sat down. Class was nearly over. Our teacher wrapped up, thanked the woman for joining us, and we all prayed together.

As I was heading to the bathroom to fix my makeup, that was certainly destroyed, the Holy Spirit stopped me. I looked at the woman again, more carefully this time. Wait! I know this woman! She looked different, but it was her. It was Beth.

The only reason we know one another is the result of brokenness. There are so many convoluted divorces and circumstances that make us “family” I will not even attempt to explain. I spoke to her. She remembered me, too.

I wasn’t sure why, but I was compelled to talk to her, stay by her side, and make sure she was comfortably seated in the sanctuary before going to the choir room to put on my robe. I told her I was glad she was joining us and then rushed upstairs. Little did any of us know, the Lord was about to do something wonderful!

At the end of the service, the pastor invited people to come forward to accept Jesus as their Savior. Then he did something he had never done before. Before he dismissed, he said, “I’m going to be standing right over there by the baptistry. If anyone just wants to talk or ask questions about being baptized, come on over and talk to me.” Church was dismissed.

Later that afternoon, I got a text from the pastor. “Your friend came up after the service and gave her life to Jesus! She is getting baptized tonight!”

The Holy Spirit spoke very clearly in my heart. I knew in that moment that I didn’t have a burden to carry because Jesus already carried it. I didn’t do anything at all for her to accept Christ, but I got to walk her to the sanctuary and make sure she felt comfortable and safe, the same way someone did for me when I first came to church. 

The sermon that day was about the Samaritan woman at the well. The story isn’t that she ran back to Samaria and became an evangelist, giving her testimony and preaching the gospel. She simply said, “Its okay, it doesn’t matter what you’ve done! Come and meet my Savior, Jesus.” She made them feel comfortable. She invited them. That’s all we can do. The Lord will do the rest.

And now I know how important it really is, when they come, that we make them feel comfortable. Our kindness can help the Holy Spirit work in their hearts and keep them coming back so He can do even more, just like He did with me because of my church family. I can’t thank them enough for everything they do. 

God used this church to rescue me, and lead me into an abundant life. I have been completely changed and I am so grateful for the opportunity to build the kingdom along side my church family. 

Now, about Jake . . . I’ll let you know what happens, but I know God is up to something.

Thank you for reading Christina’s testimony.

With Love, Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Nathan Anderson on Unsplash

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