1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NKJV): Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Yo may be already asking how a cat can give us a lesson in love. There is so many jokes about how dogs are loyal and that cats really just don’t care and expect you yo feed them. Many talk about that cats are so independent that they really live in our homes to grace us. Well let me share about Reese with you.
Reese came to us a little over a year after the death of our 2 older cats. Willie, the male, and Mocha, our oldest female, where like mom and dad to our clan of cats. Willie was the most loving cat you can ever think of. It was said that he was “full of The Holy Spirit”, by people who would visit. Mocha was the “momma” cat and she did show love more than other cats would. We were devastated when we lost them. (Note: as I look at Reese, I notice she looks quite a bit like our Mocha did)
Reese was an unexpected addition to our family. She was my wife’s uncle’s cat. He had died shortly before Reese came to live with us. It wasn’t an easy decision as Reese was already over 1 year old and usually, we try to bring cats home as a kitten so that they can grow accustomed to the others and vice versa.
At first, when she came to our home, she would do things like, jump on the counter and eat our bread, while it was still in the package. She left us “gifts” almost daily throughout the house. She barely would let you touch her. I was getting frustrated with her and had shared this with my wife. Her aunt. concerned that I was not going o accept Reese, texted me and said that she really was a loving cat, if, I would give her a chance. (Note: I never had intentions of doing anything with Reese except show her love.)
After a few weeks, Reese adjusted to our home and stopped leaving her “gifts” and tearing things up. She even allowed me to hold her. Her adjustment period was coming to an end and she was getting used to us. Now, when I get home from being away from the day, she jumps up on my recliner to greet me. She will snuggle with me in bed. In the morning, she hangs out with me as I get ready for the day. She is just full of love.
So, how does this cat teach us love? I started to think about how when we encounter Jesus in our lives. He is patient with us as we start following Him, especially when we may fall in to sin, as we are figuring out this new walk. In fact, we are given encouragement to restore our relationship with Him when we do fall in to sin and we realize that we did.
1 John 1:8-10 (NKJV): If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
When I thought about how Jesus loves us and then I looked at how we struggled with Reese when she first came to be with us, I thought, “Isn’t wonderful how Our Savior teaches us to be patient with others as they adjust to change in their lives?” It made me smile because, this is also an example of how we are to treat others in their walks. We are to encourage them to do what is right and not throw them to the world just because they are going through a growing phase.
Matthew 18:15-17 (NKJV): “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.
So, let’s grow in our walks together and show others what it truly means to encourage others and to show love.
It starts with Our Relationship with Jesus. If you don’t have a Relationship with Him or you need to rekindle that Relationship, do it now. Call out to Him and seek his Love and Forgiveness. It really is as hard or easy as you make it.
We should look to Him daily to seek a relationship with Him. I want to encourage you to seek Him today, if you haven’t already. If you need help, have questions or need direction in this regard, please, feel free to let me know.
cross66info@gmail.com
+1 (505) 600-1027
Any scripture referenced here is taken from New King James Version (NKJV) unless otherwise noted
Call out to Him and seek his Love and Forgiveness. It really is as hard or easy as you make it.
We should look to Him daily to seek a relationship with Him. I want to encourage you to seek Him today, if you haven’t already. If you need help, have questions or need direction in this regard, please, feel free to let me know.
cross66info@gmail.com
+1 (505) 600-1027
Any scripture referenced here is taken from New King James Version (NKJV) unless otherwise noted
