Farm Fresh Blog

What is Faith?

Faith is the strong belief that in the midst of chaos, if you just keep moving forward, putting one foot in front of the other, then things will work out. That doesn't mean things will work out the way you want, or the way you expected, but faith is the belief that whatever does happen, was meant to be. And even in the chaos, especially in the chaos, God has not forgotten you.

Faith is also the knowledge that when something comes your way at the worst possible time, there is a reason, so don't question it. That's why I didn't put a whole lot of thought into whether or not we were keeping the little black kitten who flagged me down on my way home from work last June. The odds that I would hear a barking dog, stop my truck for a barking dog, get out of my truck to investigate the barking dog, get back into my truck and hear the plaintive cries of a kitten over the air conditioner and the radio, are so astronomical that when the tiny black kitten ran out of the darkness, I knew that he was in the hands of God and I didn't question it.

We were in the midst of packing and moving to North Texas and the last thing I needed was a tiny kitten with eight dogs. Thankfully my mother agreed to house the little beast until we got settled at the new home. He hit her household like a miniature tornado, leaving a path of destruction and disruption in his wake, and leaving his mark on all the hearts he touched. My mother named him Pavarotti because he sang an opera when locked in his kennel.

Pavi came to live with us the first week of August and his giant personality made quite the splash. Although the barn cats merely tolerate him, the dogs genuinely enjoy his company. In their minds, he is the best toy they've ever had. Since I've seen the way they play with Kongs, I have my concerns. Pavi has no such worries. He doesn't run from dogs, he strolls. He takes the game to them, shocking and confusing their predatory natures. This kitten thinks nothing of doing playful Halloween cat hops sideways and leaping into his opponet's face, landing across their noses with arms and legs outstretched like a feline SpiderMan.

Fortunately for the kitten, no one in the family harbors serial killer tendencies, but I still keep a pretty close eye on SpiderMan because he is tiny, they are easily excited, and accidents happen. He is not allowed outside at night. He is not allowed outside when we're not home. He is not allowed outside when too many dogs are loose. In short, his life is filled with rules and he thinks I'm a real downer because of it. A personality like his cannot be repressed for too long.

I don't know what big plans God has for this little tyke, but I never questioned whether or not he'd fit into our household. I have faith. Sometimes life is just easier if we quit agonizing over the details, and have faith that everything will work out in the end. And if things are not working out, it must not yet be the end!