Letting the Cat Out of the Bag

It’s so funny. Since my Who Put the Cat in the Fridge book came out last year, everywhere I go people tell me more stories of their cats popping out of their refrigerators. I’ve been amazed to find out how many “cat in the fridge” stories there really are. And people have found their cats in other weird places, too. Imagine opening the microwave in the morning to zap your jelly doughnut and having Fluffy leap out. Or how about hearing purring coming from your briefcase? Or suddenly seeing your trash bag take a walk on its own. One guy went to his dresser and had a pair of his underwear spring from the drawer.

One of my favorites was my friend whose mail carrier said she opened up the box to put the mail in one Monday morning, only to have a near-coronary episode when the family cat flew out! My friend asked her daughter about it. She smiled and shrugged one shoulder and said, “Oh yeah, I helped him get in there Saturday morning.” Then she skipped out of the room.

Poor cat. We can all probably relate a little. I guess we all end up in places we don’t really want to be from time to time. Sometimes we get ourselves stuck in the messes. Sometimes there’s someone there to give us a little ‘help.’

I’m going to “let the cat out of the bag,” as it were. Those times when we find ourselves in mailbox-type situations, we need to let our first response be to fall to our knees. Jesus can find us no matter where we’re trapped. Jeremiah 29:12-13 says, “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (NIV) When we seek Him with a sincere heart, he’s never hard to find.

Prayer is our ticket to where we really need to go spiritually. We need to pray when we’re in tough spots. As a matter of fact, the Bible tells us we need to pray all the time. First Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Be unceasing in prayer (praying perseveringly)” (AMP). Praying—and praying with heart and with resolved perseverance—is always in good timing.

Speaking of good timing, I’m thinking it’s just a good thing Fluffy flew out of the microwave BEFORE the jelly doughnut got zapped.

Rhonda Rhea is a radio personality and a conference speaker for events all over the country. She is the wife of First Baptist Church of Troy, Missouri’s pastor, Richie Rhea, and mother of five teenagers. She has authored several fun and fruitful books, including the new release I’m Dreaming of Some White Chocolate. Watch for High Heels in High Places coming in 2007. Find out more at www.RhondaRhea.net. For speaking information, try www.FindRhonda.com.