Natalie was a beautiful black and gold cat. The white socks on her feet just completed the look. Natalie knew that her Creator had given her a special gift when He made her so beautiful. The exceptional thing about Natalie was that she was not conceited at all about her looks, she was the most down to earth, genuinely nice cats in the world.
Natalie had friends, and she was very thankful for all her friends. She was really close to a group of 5 other cats: Princess, Fifi, Lombardi, Sweetie and Vince. The 6 cats had been friends for as long as they could remember. They all lived in the same apartment building.
Natalie had a good life. She lived with a wonderful old lady named Betty. Betty took care of her. Natalie had the expensive, organic food, a litter box that cleaned itself, and she had a couch in the library (spare bedroom that was turned into a library) where she could curl up in the afternoon sun and snooze.
Natalie knew that she should be happy, but yet she wasn't really content. She had a longing for something more. She loved her 5 friends and Betty, but she still had a part of her heart that was lonely. She wanted a full time companion. She wanted a husband and a family of her own.
Natalie figured that if she just got a husband she would be happier and she wouldn't be lonely at night. Natalie began to prowl, she hit all the hot spots where the neighborhood cats would hang out. There were a few that she liked, but none that made her heart go pitter patter.
One day Princess and Natalie were talking and Natalie confided in Princess. Princess told her about this book she had read. It was called the Bible. According to the Bible they were all created by God.
The Creator had a name! Natalie knew that this wasn't Princess' point, but it made her happy. Natalie loved that she could put a name to her creator and that name was God. Natalie wanted to know more about God so she asked Princess more questions. Finally Princess advised that Natalie look and see if Betty had a Bible.
Natalie looked on all the shelves and finally found it, a dusty, hardly worn book, but it was there the Holy Bible. Natalie was very excited. She took the book down and started to read.
The first story she read was about creation and how God created everything in just 6 days. At first Natalie didn't want to believe that it was that easy, but something in her heart told her to trust the book. Natalie read and read.
She read stories about the Jews and how often they disobeyed God, even after He'd rescue them time and time again. She read about Ruth, the brave woman who loved her mother in law and was loyal even after their husbands died. Natalie read about the wise king Solomon and how when He was given the chance for anything he chose wisdom. Natalie read about prophets telling the people about the Messiah, this man that would come and save them.
Throughout the stories Natalie saw that there were couples, marriage was an idea that God created in the beginning with Adam and Eve. Even more than ever Natalie wanted a husband. She read in Proverbs 31 about what it meant to be an amazing wife. She wanted that chance.
Natalie grew lonelier and lonelier. She took a break from the Bible for awhile and began to prowl. One day she met Titus. Titus was new to the apartment. He and his human, Larry had just moved from the country. Titus was very friendly and very smart. He and Natalie got along very well.
One day Titus came by and saw Natalie reading. He also saw the Bible on the coffee table. He asked her about it and Natalie said that she was reading it to learn about God, their creator. Titus mentioned that before he and Larry moved into the apartment Larry was a pastor at a church in the country. Titus explained what Pastors did.
Natalie was very intrigued. She mentioned that Princess had told her to read it after Natalie confided in her about wanting a husband to fill the lonely void in her heart. Titus agreed that Princess was wise to have her read the book, he told her the Bible would change her life. Titus asked if she had read the whole thing yet.
Natalie told him no, after reading the first 60 books in the Bible she felt even lonelier reading about all the couples in the Bible and not having a special someone of her own. Titus then told her to start reading in Matthew. He explained that the books Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were called the Gospels and that in those she would find many answers.
That night Natalie read Matthew and she read about Jesus. Jesus was God in human form. He came down to earth to save everyone from sin and to make a way from them to go to Heaven. No longer would a blood sacrifice be required. Jesus not only offered salvation, but He offered to come live within each person and complete them. Natalie read on, she read the other Gospels as well, and even though she was tired she read on. She read to the end.
Finally Natalie figured it out. She didn't NEED a husband, she needed Christ. Jesus wanted to come in and make her complete. Jesus was the answer to the void in her heart. Having a husband and a family wasn't a bad thing, it was a good thing. But her identity and her completeness came from God and acknowledging Him.
Natalie was so excited. At the first chance she ran to talk to Titus. He was lounging in the sun, but as soon as Natalie told him her epiphany he was excited for her. Titus led her in prayer and after that Natalie began to fill the void in her heart go away. The more she read the Bible and talked to God the smaller the void got. Natalie learned that in Christ and in having a relationship with Him she was becoming what her creator had created her to become.
Natalie was no longer the same cat. She was even more beautiful because she was cleaned from the inside and she reflected the joy and completeness of Christ.
-JP-
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