Good Mews

GOOD MEWS by Kitty Chappell is a lovely little book I found in a catalogue for the Leprosy Mission – a favourite charity I support. The by-line is ‘Inspurrrrational stories for cat lovers. 

The back cover says: ‘Inspurrrration from our feline friends! God placed cats on earth with a special mission – to provide unconditional love and support to the people in their lives. In Good Mews, Kitty Chappell captures the playful and inquisitive characteristics we all love about this grace-full species, and her uplifting stories parallel real life circumstances in light of God’s view. It’s a simple and fun approach to understanding ourselves, God, and maybe even our cats a little better.’

Having read the cover blurb, I sat down to read Kitty’s book. It is such a delightful book that I finished it in one sitting (I lay on the sofa with Billy, Timmy, Sam and Ollie as literary companions and a cappuccino) and realised that I had been smiling all the way through it.

Each page has a ‘situation’ which Kitty is working through and is accompanied by something her cats do which seems to provide the answer to her ‘problems’.  She spends a great deal of time in prayer talking through her problems with God and doesn’t always understand that He DOES answer her – most of the time with a feline assistant!

Take this example called: ‘HUGGED’

‘I don’t recall why my heart was so heavy that morning. Single (the cat), never far from me, lay dozing across the room, oblivious to my distress. Something had burdened me so deeply that I fell to my knees in prayer. With my face nestled in the cushion of my office chair, I sobbed out my pain to God. In my desolation, I recall crying out, “Oh, Lord, how I need You. If only You could reach down and hug me.” In frustration I added, “You are all powerful. You can do anything. Can’t You do this, just once?”

‘As I knelt, I felt Single’s small feet begin walking up my sloped back. Not now, I thought, I don’t have time for games! I’m praying. As much as I love you, it’s the Lord I need now. But Single kept on walking. After reaching my shoulders, he lay down. With his warm body flattened against my back, he encircled my neck with his front paws, and purred softly in my ear as he lay there hugging me.’

After Kitty writes about each ‘situation’ she follows it up with a prayer usually on the opposite page. The prayer to accompany the above is as follows:

‘Father, I don’t recall the reason for my prayer that day, but may I never forget Your response. Thank You for always being there when I need You the most, and for sending Your hug through the paws of one of Your creation. Amen.’

And then there is a text from Scripture to finish the whole piece off.

I really loved this book. It is perfect for people who love cats and for those who have a belief system – and for those who loves cats AND God!

It’s available from Thomas Nelson publishers at www.thomasnelson.com and the ISBN is: 13: 978-1-4041-0481-5

It would make a wonderful Christmas present or as a gift to someone who is finding their way in their faith perhaps. Either way, it’s a book that I can highly recommend. I really loved it!   

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