Cats are my favorite land animal, and I talk with them. No, I am not weird. I have learned to meow like kittens and cats. I can snarl a little like them too. Let me tell you about a special cat.
He was a stray that "adopted" me when I was 11 years old. I was going through a year of depression because I was convinced that no one in the world loved me. It seemed to me that none of my nine siblings or my parents cared whether or not I was alive. Then one day, a full-grown cat announced his presence in our yard. I named him "Tiger." When I asked if I could keep him, the answer was, "No."
I begged to keep him. You see, Tiger and I had bonded within an hour of his arrival. Noting the look of anguish on my face, my parents finally consented and my spirit soared!
"But that cat cannot sleep with you; the cat will stay outside every night." Mother was firm on the idea.
"Yes, mom; I hear you," I managed to utter. But I needed emotional comfort, so I snuck Tiger in at night anyway.
After several weeks, mom became suspicious and surprised me with a late night visit.
"I thought I smelled a cat in here. Put him outside."
I begged over and over again to let Tiger stay with me, and mom finally relented with, "Okay. But if he messes on the floor, you will clean it up and clean the carpet." Then she left the room.
I was sitting on the edge of the bed and Tiger was sitting on the floor looking up at me. I began verbally pouring my heart out to the critter, and -- I'm not kidding -- when I asked Tiger if he understood, he gently said, "Meow." He verbally responded each time I asked if he understood.
Finally I was ready to turn out the light. But I first cupped Tiger's face in my hands and said, "If you have to go potty in the night, be sure to wake me up. Don't do it on the floor. Okay?" Tiger agreed with, "Mew."
Sometime in the middle of the night, Tiger awakened me by gently rubbing my cheek with his paw. I asked, "Do you need out?" Tiger placed his fore-paws on the window sill and meowed. I opened the window and he jumped out. About 10 minutes later, he reappeared outside the window. I let him in, and he said, "Mew." I knew that meant "Thank you." Again, I'm not joking. Tiger was my best friend.
One afternoon about eight months later, Tiger didn't show up for dinner. Dad said, "He is probably out catting around."
The next day, dad sent me on an errand across the 4-lane highway to buy some donuts. As I reached the median, I saw the motionless form of a dead cat. Tiger had been run over!
My emotions exploded, and I burst out crying as I ran back to dad. As I sobbed uncontrollably, dad gently held me close for a while. That's the first time in a LONG time that either dad or mom expressed love to me in a way that I could understand. After a few minutes, dad softly said, "Let's bring Tiger home."
Picking Tiger up with a shovel, I took him and buried him in the back yard. That was 1958, but I can still show you where I buried him.
God, in His love for me, brought Tiger to fill a void in my life. And God kept Tiger with me as long as I needed him because Tiger was God's gift of healing to my hurting soul. But, also in His love for me, God allowed Tiger to leave when I was emotionally well enough and mature enough to re-attach with my siblings and parents. God loves us and brings into our lives special gifts at crucial times.
When you are hurting, look for God's interaction in your life. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, " Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and don't depend on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge God, and he will guide you." God loves you more than you know; and He uses animals, friends, and situations to help you heal.
God used Tiger to help me for a year; but God, Himself, will help me forever.
-- Gene Linzey is a speaker, author, and former pastor. He is president of the Siloam Springs Writers Guild. Send comments and questions to [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
Religion on 04/20/2016