Cats, trees, and answers to prayer!

An English friend sent me this true story that proves God answers prayer!

A Vicar (English for pastor) had a much loved cat. One day the cat climbed up a tree and refused to come down. The Vicar decided to tie one end of a sturdy rope around the tree trunk and the other end to his car's back bumper. In this way he hoped to gently bend the tree over and rescue his cat. However, as he slowly backed away the unthinkable happened. The rope snapped, the tree whipped upright, and the cat disappeared into the wild, blue yonder never to be seen again!

A couple of weeks later, still filled with sorrow over the loss of his beloved pet and its unknown fate, he ran into one of his parishoners at the supermarket. In her basket were several cans of cat food.

"Why, Mrs. Brown," he exclaimed, "I didn't know you had a cat."

"Well, Vicar," she responded, "We didn't until a few weeks ago when the most extraordinary thing happened. My little girl and I were having a picnic in the back garden and my daughter said, 'O, Mummy, I would just love to have a cat.' At that very moment this cat came flying through the air and landed at our feet. It was the most amazing thing! God really does answer prayer!"

A friend has a plaque in her kitchen that perfectly fits this story:
When you stop praying, the "coincidences" stop happening!

One of the best mood lifters around is taking time to muse over God's activity in your life. Marvel at His love, His goodness to you personally, and watch your heart beat with joy and hope as you remember the "coincidences" in your life.

The Psalmist encouraged himself in this way. He prayed:

"I recall all you have done, O Lord;
I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
They are constantly in my thoughts.
I cannot stop thinking about them" (Ps.77:11-12 TLB).

Why not spend a few minutes recollecting God's answers to your prayers--
and give Him praise for all the wonderful deeds He has done for you!