A guest post by Susan McPherson . . .
“I’ll never take care of my kids’ animals.” How many of us have said that, not knowing the impact it would have on our lives if faced with that decision again?
Fast forward 23 years, and I found myself taking care of my daughter’s precious, adorable toy Yorkie, Tiana. I was taking care of her the best I could. That’s what moms do, right? I was providing a home, feeding her, and tending to her physical needs. All the while, I was wondering, Should I give her back to my daughter? Should I keep her? I couldn’t decide.
A few years earlier, Tiana had developed a heart murmur. I kept hoping she would get better. Instead, the problem seemed to be growing. Her personality began to change. She was once lively, excited to meet and love on everyone that visited. Then she started avoiding company, spending more time in her tiny crate. She seldom met visitors with her cute, bubbly personality.
During this time, we were in and out of the vet’s office. One day, I was in the waiting room with Tiana when a lady came in with a cat, and we began to chat. The cat was 20 years old and had major health problems. I asked about all the medications she must be on, and the lady said, “Oh no, I don’t do all that. My cat just has to have some fluids several times a week, so I come in for those.”
Amazed, I asked, “How has this cat lived so long?”
Her response was, “A lot of love.”
I began to pray to have love for Tiana. I was still trying to figure out what to do, so I called a friend. I told her about wanting to send Tiana back to my daughter, and how I would go back and forth about whether or not to keep her. My friend was out walking her dog, and the Lord revealed to her that Tiana had a broken heart because of feeling abandoned.
I remembered the lady with the cat and her response when I asked, “How has this cat lived so long?”
“A lot of love.”
That hit me in the heart, along with my friend saying Tiana had a broken heart because of abandonment. I knew what Tiana needed. She needed me to settle it once and for all who was going to keep her. And then, if I would be keeping her, I needed to begin to love her.
As I continued to pray for love for Tiana, I realized she was mine, my gift from God. I began to repent for not loving her like she needed. God immediately showed me an inner vow I had made years ago: “I’ll never take care of my kids’ animals.”
The reason for not being able to love her was revealed. Inner vows are decisions we make that usually start with “I will never” or “I will always.” Inner vows block God. My love tank for Tiana was literally blocked because of that vow I had made.
I called my friend and said, “You are not going to believe this. When I started praying, immediately God showed me an inner vow I need to break. Will you help me?” It takes two people to break an inner vow. Inner vows are so strong, and they block the flow of the power and love of God.
As a result of breaking this inner vow, love began to flow through me to Tiana. Her personality began to blossom again! She began to greet everyone with her entire body wiggling in excitement. Once again, she began to open her heart to others. She wanted to share her fabulous personality and bless everyone with an opportunity to love on her and adore her cute little self. She greatly improved!
So, even though I wasn’t able to love Tiana initially, which resulted in her broken heart, God showed me the reason why. When that block was removed, God’s love could flow through me to her, and she experienced healing!
If you—or your animals—are not experiencing the love and help of God, and you’ve been asking for His help, it could be an inner vow. There is help. Jesus already paid the price, and He is wanting to help.
For more understanding on inner vows, and how to break them, you’ll find this article helpful: Pain Takes Away Our Free Will.
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Susan McPherson is a mother of seven and blessed with many beautiful grandchildren. After raising her children on a farm, she and her husband have moved to the mountains, where they are enjoying rest.
