BarbyQ

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. —James 1:2–4, NIV

I did a thing. Last night I penned my ten-year-old cat, BarbyQ, in the laundry room and put away all the food. I only gave her water. Then this morning, I packed my cat into a crate and loaded her into the car. I drove her to a place and dropped her off.

Why? At her last checkup, the vet said that BarbyQ’s teeth are a mess. Two of the back molars are encased in tartar. On reviewing the cat’s diet, she concluded the problem is genetic. So with the possibility that tooth infections run through the bloodstream and cause problems with major organs and my commitment to caring for my animals, she is getting her teeth cleaned today—under anesthesia. But BarbyQ does not understand.

Last night, I had to pen her up so that she did not eat after midnight.

She is a smart girl and can open the dog food container all by herself.

So she spent the night in the laundry room with her litter box, her water, and a pillow for her sleeping comfort. She was not happy.

I could hear her meows from behind the door this morning.

Still, I left her there until it was time to leave.

I set her mesh door toward me on the passenger’s seat.

She protested. I put my fingers through the mesh.

She comforted herself by laying her head on them.

Once during the trip, the traffic got a bit heavier, and I withdrew my hand.

The protesting started up again even though I was still close by and had everything under control. Those vet techs will have some work to do today.

They may have to pull a couple of teeth.

Mercifully, for both the techs and the cat, she will be asleep.

She will wake up ready to eat and come home.

She will have to endure the discomfort for only a little while. Today I realized that, like BarbyQ, I do not always understand when God does something “for my good.” I protest. Sometimes the trial is restrictive. I do not like it. I ask to be delivered, and God simply lets me know He is with me and has everything under control. He never leaves me. And when these trials are over, He will take me home. I will have to endure only for a little while.

Ann Trout