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 to 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 animal lying limp on the grass, Mother had to agree. “Oh my, Ann, she doesn’t look very good. But we’ll do everything we can to help her get better.”
Scamper was laid in a big box 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 thinking that Scamper might die. 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, if it is His will. Why don’t we ask Him?”
So at the end of Ann’s bedtime 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. The box was empty. What had happened? Had her kitty died? Then a loud mew came from under the table, and Scamper walked out, stretching sleepily, and coming to Ann to be petted. She seemed to be all better.
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 right now, admitting that you are a sinner, and accept Him as your own Saviour.
ML-10/08/1995