Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. ~Luke 12:6
Those of you who have followed my blog for any length of time have certainly been introduced to Henry, the faithful cat, who is an integral part of my daughter and son-in-law's family. As he was taken in as a stray, they calculate that he is somewhere between twelve and thirteen years in age. And despite their many moves from one location to another, even out of state, Henry has remained a much-loved fixture in their household, enduring all the changes for the sake of his forever family.
Recently, daughter, Sarah, sends me these photos of Henry with youngest granddaughter, Alexandra. I know for a fact that Henry's preferred child is Virginia, the eldest, but I'm so pleased to see that he has branched out in positive ways to her siblings. When love and trust are prevalent, what cat (or dog) wouldn't do the same? Pets carry no negative baggage when it comes to acknowledging love.
I wonder how many of us are willing to love and give of ourselves with the same loyalty and unconditional commitments that our pets do? Have any of you ever wondered about that most remarkable attribute our furry friends have, being willing to give without expecting anything in return?
There are so many valuable life lessons our pets can teach us if we're willing to let them. Henry loves his family no matter what.
We should, too.
May we all be open to and mindful (my word) of those lessons are pets are ready and willing to share with us; grounding us more surely in the only love that matters for all time.
God's.
Amen!
Dearest Martha Jane,
ReplyDeleteYes, IF we only would all be willing to learn from animals or pets as we picked out some of them. On my Pinterest I have one board: ANIMALS TEACHING US.
Yes, they teach us ongoing high morals and everything there is to know about UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.
That is—if they can TRUST us as that is the absolute base for it.
We too have to TRUST God and from there start to love unconditionally.
Hugs,
Mariette
Amen, Mariette! Trust is a two-way street, isn't it? If we were to treat our pets in ways that would make them distrust us, we have done them a disservice for all that is right and good about their willingness to love unconditionally. We must show that type of unconditional love to God and to our neighbors.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Strange—found this reply just now in my junk emails...
DeleteMartha: I have found that people truly need to learn to forgive one another. Those who don't learn to do this cause relationships to be broken for generations. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteForgiveness is key to any healthy life, Cecelia, I'm convinced of that. Our pets are so willing to forgive us when we're gone from home for a long spell or forget to feed them on time. When Henry is hungry, he seeks out Virginia first, knowing she will stop everything, including sleeping, to hop up and get him some food. That cat is so loved!
DeleteLove and blessings!
We had a cat whom I found (or found me) as a kitten. She was under a bush, and someone in the apartment complex had abandoned her. She was with us for 18 years. A friend charitably said she reminded her of a silver polishing cloth.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a sweet recollection, Glynn, and I'm glad you shared it here. Our cat, Jordan, was found on a golf course with her young siblings in a box. A man spotted them and brought the whole kit and kaboodle home. My son spotted her, and it was love at first sight.
DeleteLove and blessings!
"Pets carry no negative baggage when it comes to acknowledging love." How I love that! If people were more like our angels in fur, this world be a far finer place.
ReplyDeleteA far better place, indeed, Myra! When we are tempted to hold grudges against another, may we stop and consider what our pet would do. I think we'd choose to love instead.
DeleteLove and blessings!
One thing that pets can teach us is forgiveness. They are so quick to forgive and forget. This world will never know peace until it learns to forgive.
ReplyDeleteAs for families; that is the first place to practice forgiveness. I love my family. If it was not for my family I would be arguing with perfect strangers.
God bless, Martha.
Lol, Victor, that is so true about family! That's the place where forgiveness should be modeled and practiced by us for our children and grandchildren. Pets can be an important part of that process, too.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Well said, and so true.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christine!
DeleteLove and blessings!
What a sweet kitty, and precious post and thoughts. Since we don't have any pets of our own anymore, I don't get to interact with pets on a regular basis, except for our kids' two pups, our "grandpups". We just took a trip with them to GA., and when one of them got sick during our stay there it was very much like being concerned for a child. And that sweet doggy was so humble and trusting of her "parents" to take care of her needs, which they did willingly and lovingly. I was impressed. They don't have any children of their own, and these doggies are like children to them in every way. I'm just so thankful that "Sugar" soon got over her little tummy bug and is now back to being her normal happy self. That was a big relief to all of us. Thank you for this post.
ReplyDeleteI know that was such a relief for all of you, Pamela, when Sugar started feeling better. It's bad enough when this happens at home, but while traveling? Yikes! Benton and Rose are great "parents" to their two pups, and I know that you and John treasure them, too. That Sugar was humble throughout the ordeal speaks volumes about the character of pets, and how they encourage humility in us.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I sometimes wonder if God gave us animals so we could learn how to love unconditionally as they do! :)
ReplyDeleteI truly think He did, Lisa. Oh, there is so much they can teach us when we are willing to humble ourselves and listen.
DeleteLove and blessings!
You know that I am a cat lady and how fun to see your grand-cat, Henry! He is quite handsome. My two cats do, however, expect treats often! LOL I'm glad Henry is getting love from Alexandra!! Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteI must agree, Terri, that Henry is quite the handsome one, although I think your two kitties are right there in the running when it comes to good looks. :) Henry will let someone know when he needs food, too. He knows he can count on Virginia, especially, to stop what she's doing and feed him. Other than that, he isn't a demanding cat.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I've long known that perhaps the greatest example of how God's love is supposed to be shown in this life is through animals. Cat, dog (my preferred domestic animal, although we certainly have more barn cats than dogs around here), or even donkey; watch them and you'll see a great example of how love forgets past hurts. How love starts afresh with each new day, and grows deeper and richer with the passage of time. Wonderful thoughts this morning Ms. Martha. Thank you so much ma'am; and I was so thrilled to learn God spared you and Mr. Danny from anything major through the recent storms. God's blessings.
ReplyDeleteI love the lessons you have learned from the many creatures in your care, J. D., and I knew you would certainly connect with my thoughts here. They do show us what it looks like to truly love as a child of God, and we would do well to sit up and pay attention.
DeleteAnd thank you for your kind words about Danny and me surviving the recent storms. We are feeling immensely grateful!
Love and blessings!
Such heart-warming photos of your granddaughter and Henry! You can see the love in her eyes, and in Henry's outstretched paw. Our older son (E.) and his wife had a cat when their first daughter was born. They wondered how Winston would react with a new (needy!) person in the house. One of her first days home from the hospital our son lay on the bed with the baby and the cat hopped up too. E. watched carefully to see what he'd would do. Winston lay next to the baby, gently reached out his paw and placed it on her mid-section. Very similar to Henry reaching out his paw to your granddaughter!
ReplyDeleteOh, my, Nancy, your story here about your son and his cat touched me so deeply! I think that when Winston witnessed the love your son had for his daughter, he figured everything must be "cool" and that he could love her, too. It's so sweet to see animals physically reach for a human being, touching them tenderly, just as we do with those we love.
DeleteLove and blessings!
What a beautiful post. Our late son had Coffee who was our German Shepherd. When Liam suddenly passed away last December 2021, Coffee refused to leave his side.... anyways, Coffee passed away 7 months later, and we think it was a broken heart, truly. He sure loved his boy. Thank you.... for the many smiles.
ReplyDeleteSuch a poignant story you've shared here, Linda. Yes, I agree that sweet Coffee probably died of a broken heart. Animals have feelings that run deeper than we can know. What love and loyalty!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, Henry is a real cutie! Our sweet and loyal pets really do give without expecting anything in return. There is much to learn from this creatures God created. God bless!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Karen, that there is so much we can learn from our fur babies, and we should be attuned to that. There is a lesson around every corner, and we should be on the lookout for those. (I do love seeing Big T in your videos!)
DeleteLove and blessings!
Henry is adorable - and knows he's furever loved, no doubt. Don't we, though, learn how to love from our furbabies? You inspired me to go in this direction with my writing. Until next time... hugs!
ReplyDeleteI'm so flattered that my post here inspired you to take a new direction with your blog, Debra! You've been missed around here, and I do hope to see more of you in the future.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Such a sweet kitty!
ReplyDeleteI believe God created animals to teach us to love unconditionally.
Hugs and blessings, Martha.
I'm right there with you, Veronica! They are the models of what it means to love unconditionally.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Pets are so precious and truly become members of our family. I am so thankful God created them and that they bring so much joy to our lives. May He bless you today, sweet friend!
ReplyDeleteThey do become part of the family, Cheryl, and I'm so thankful for the many pets that have shared in my life throughout the years. They've collectively made me a more caring and loving human being.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Better late than never, Bill! Even when they are humongous, many dogs will see themselves as lapdogs and act accordingly - ooph! :) I've learned some of my best life lessons from the pets I've been honored to love over the years. They do show us how to be the best we can be when it comes to love.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
Thank you, Regine!
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
loyalty over time can be a rare gift. how interesting that God gave us His creation to teach us more than a few lessons along the way!
ReplyDeleteI know, Linda! Isn't it marvelous?
DeleteLove and blessings!
Bom dia, Marta
ReplyDeleteHenry é lindo, tenho uma cadelinha chamada Nina, ela é um amor, todos os dias nos recebe com muita alegria, os animais são assim, um encanto, como aprendemos com eles, um forte abraço.
Thanks, Lucinalva, for your kind words regarding Henry. I think he is quite the handsome fellow, too. I'm glad to hear your little Nina is such a joy in your lives. Pets are just the best!
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!