I had just parked my car in a local shopping center to run some errands when I saw a tiny kitten pawing at the window of Burger King. Now I don’t know about you, but kittens in distress leap to the top of my “to do” list.

My heart propelled me toward the wee creature, but I tried to casually saunter so as not to alarm her. She let me come close but then eluded me when I reached out to pick her up. I cooed soothingly, assuring her she was safe and that food and shelter awaited her if she came with me. She backed away.

So I returned to my car, went and got some cat food, came back and put a plate under a bush outside the Burger King. Then I sat in my car and waited. Sure enough, she sniffed out sustenance and ventured to nibble at the kibble.

It just so happens it was my birthday, and a bright beam of happiness surged through my heart as I watched the kitten eat. This little darling was my birthday present! I was going to take her home. I had found Smudges, my adorable orange cat (assuredly my boyfriend in a past life), in a parking lot eight years before. It must be my karma to find irresistible kittens in parking lots from time to time.

While the kitten took nourishment, I tiptoed up to her and just as I was an arm’s length away, she nimbly evaded me and darted off. I hightailed after her. She was faster than expected. Dodging from bush to bush, she quickly disappeared. I waited. And waited. And waited. But she did not reappear.

Heart heavy, I finally left. And returned every day for three days after that, bringing food, leaving my phone number with the Burger King manager (who confirmed this kitten had been hanging around), and waiting to see if she materialized. To no avail. That was the last I saw of her.

With a big sigh, on Day Four, I asked the Holy Spirit why It took away my birthday present. After all, I didn’t encounter the kitten on just any day — it was my birthday! And Holy Spirit said, “The kitten wasn’t your birthday present. You were playing my role with the kitten. As Holy Spirit, I offer you safety, sustenance and unconditional love every day. And every day you run away. Your birthday present is realizing you are the kitten!”

Can you beat that? I was offering the kitten safety, sustenance and unconditional love. Even though it was hungry and asking for help, the kitten didn’t recognize help from me, was afraid and ran away. Now the Holy Spirit was telling me that every day, when I turned to It with willingness and asked for Guidance, when It offered me safety, sustenance and unconditional love, I was afraid and ran away!

Yes, it was true. I had willingness to reject ego and connect with the Holy Spirit, but when Spirit responded, something in me snapped shut, turned tail, and bolted. Asking for Help was one thing, accepting Help was another.

Acceptance requires the ability to slow down and catch myself before snapping shut. Which depends on my ability to trust that the Holy Spirit is not a threat. Ego prompts me to panic. Remembering the kitten allows me to laugh at that faulty cue and remain open to the Mind through which Peace is experienced.