Scamper and Scooter were two cats that belonged to six-year-old Ann. Ann loved her two cats, and they seemed to love her just as much. How they enjoyed playing together both in the house and in the backyard.
One day, however. Scamper seemed to be sick. She would not touch her bowl of food and didn’t want to play. Later on in the day Ann found her lying under a bush in the backyard mewing sadly.
Ann ran into the house as fast as she could. “Mommy!” she shrieked, bursting into the kitchen. “Come quick! Scamper’s very sick, and I’m afraid she’s going to die!”
Mother quickly went outside to see Scamper. Looking down at the little furry body lying limp on the grass, Mother had to agree. “Oh my, Ann, she doesn’t look very good. We’ll do everything we can to help her get better.”
Scamper was laid in a big basket in the kitchen, and Mother coaxed her to drink a little warm milk. But when bedtime came she was no better. Poor Ann was so upset at the thought of Scamper dying. Even Scooter seemed to mope around, without his playful companion.
Ann’s bedtime story from the Bible was about the man sick with palsy who was brought sad and sick to Jesus to be healed and went away happy and well. As she listened Ann got an idea.
“Mommy,” she said, “if Jesus can make sick people get better, don’t you think He could make Scamper get better too?”
“I’m sure He could, honey,” was her reply, “if it is His will. Why don’t we ask Him?”
So at the end of Ann’s prayer she added, “Please, Lord Jesus, don’t let Scamper die, but please make her better again. In Jesus name, Amen.”
Ann got out of bed early the next morning and ran down to the kitchen to see Scamper only to find the basket empty. What had happened? Was her kitty dead? A loud mew came from under the table, and Scamper walked out, stretching sleepily, and coming to Ann to be petted, apparently better again.
Mother came in during Ann’s and Scamper’s happy “reunion.” “You won’t forget to thank the Lord Jesus for answering your prayer, will you?” she said, reminding Ann.
So right there in the kitchen Ann and Mother knelt down by the kitchen chairs while Ann thanked the Lord Jesus for making Scamper all better again.
Does the Lord Jesus hear a child’s prayer? He certainly does, and his answer will be whatever is best, as He is the only one who knows what is good for us.
Wouldn’t you like to have the Lord Jesus help you each day? Then come to Him now, admitting that you are a sinner, and accept Him as your own Saviour.
ML-06/16/1985