It was spring—not too long after moving into the first place I could call my own. I went to sit outside on the porch steps and noticed a black and white cat with a trail of itty bitty black and white fur babies tagging along behind her in a single file line. As they passed by, I heard a “Mew!” coming from behind the bushes. “Mama! I think you forgot someone!” I said playfully, but she wasn’t listening. I got up to take a peak, and there she was—the tiniest of the tiny fur babies—all alone. She didn’t look scared; she looked curious, curious about the world around her. As she was bouncing around and doing her own thing, I wanted so badly to pick her up and take her with me, but I didn’t want to scare her. So I walked back over to the steps to sit. Within a minute or so, there she came, bouncing right up to me. “Mew! Mew!” And that was it; it was all over after that. I picked her up and never put her down again.

She couldn’t possibly have known all the good things she would soon get to experience, but she stepped out in faith because she wanted to be next to me. Are there many greater ways to say “I love you” than that? I don’t believe so.

Sassy is a bit of an odd ball. She’s quirky and unique all the way down to the markings on her fur. I love that about her. I knew she was special the day I found her as I saw she wasn’t one to follow the crowd. She didn’t care what everyone else was doing; she was in her own world with a mind of her own.

I catch myself sometimes saying I found Sassy, but the truth is, Sassy found me. She chose me. I gave her the space to be herself; I didn’t chase her. It wasn’t until she came to me, I adopted her and called her my daughter. When we adopt pets, it doesn’t always happen that way. Sometimes we find an animal who is in need, and we take it in. Sometimes we go to a pet store and pick out an animal to purchase. Sometimes pets are given to us by other people. We as humans have the potential to provide a safe, comfortable, and loving environment for our pets. Assuming we carry out that potential, most domestic animals would love to be adopted whether or not they got to make that choice. However, I realize there is a certain beauty about the way Sassy came into my life. Sassy chose me, and I’ll always love her for that. Being chosen is a gift not all pet parents get to experience.

People often ask why God gives us free will. Why couldn’t He just choose for us and allow us all to live with Him in bliss? Well, if my daughter Sassy could speak, she would tell you she’s happy to have a mother who loves and appreciates her individuality. She would tell you true bliss comes from having a mind of your own.

God chose each and every one of His children before He planned creation. (Ephesians 1:4) His creation of us is in fact evidence in itself we were chosen by Him as He chose to create us.

True love is a choice. They say if you love something to let it go, and if it comes back, it’s truly yours. God let’s us all go our own way because He loves us and because He would rather experience true love from just a few than automatic love from all. The truth is, being chosen is a gift God deserves to experience.