"Do you want to see my cat?" He asked holding a furry, fuzzy ball of white and gray fur. "He's my favorite cat." I couldn't help but smile. He was probably six or maybe seven years old and his dark eyes glistened beneath long dark lashes.

"My dad hates cat," he said matter of factly. "Did you know that?" The kitten squirmed in his arms but didn't try to get away. I couldn't help but wonder how come he had a cat if his dad hated cats. He seemed to read my mind.

"I love my dad even though he hates cats," the youngster said with a funny little smirk on his cute face. "Just because my daddy don't like what I like doesn't matter cuz I love my daddy and I love my cat." The boy rubbed his kitten and despite his squirming the ball of fluff began to purr.

"Do you hear my cat singing?" he asked. "My dad hates cat songs."

"Mmm," I nodded not really knowing what to say and hoping there was a point to this cat story. I felt sure he was headed somewhere with his thinking or he would not have asked if I wanted to see his cat.

"I love my dad even though he hates cat singing," he explained. It appeared to me this kid's daddy was probably fighting a losing battle over this cat. How anyone could refuse this little guy's request for a cat seemed impossible. Together they were a cute and funny pair. The kitten continued to purr as the boy stroked his fur.

This little boy was willing to forgive the fact that his dad didn't like this cat and he loved his dad anyway. He was honest, to the point and forgiving for his dad's indiscretions. Scriptures teaches us to love unconditionally, "to love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34). In the past several days it had seemed I had been consistently reminded to become as little children; open, honest, innocent and able to love and forgive without fault (Matt. 18:3).

Suddenly, the kitten let out a loud "meow." "Don't worry," my little friend said. "My kitten just wants to go see my daddy. I'm teaching them to love each other. They should be friends and my cat is going to sing a song for my dad."

With that revelation the little guy and his gray bundle of fur took off at a run. I smiled as I watched that kitten hang on tight. It appeared they had some witnessing and ministering to do. I think the dad was in for a revelation. If not a revelation he was, at least, going to learn more about cats and cat songs and the like.

Melinda Clements