TGIF
As I write this, Miss Kitty is sleeping soundly on my bed having enjoyed a full breakfast.
She is a picture of peace and contentment…until you look a bit closer.
The hair under her chin is matted with the liquid antibiotic she’s been taking for two weeks… she fights me every time I try to give her another dose and spews it back on her own fur.
There is one shaved leg where the IV for her surgery went in.
She sleeps lightly, wondering when I’m coming to force her into the carrier for another terrifying ride or force two syringes of meds down her throat.
She can’t go outside and thinks using a cat box is the height of humiliation.
She doesn’t have as many teeth as she used to have.
She doesn’t quite understand that all this pain and disruption was to save her life.
I worry that she won’t trust me anymore.
The easy theological application here is that God often puts us in places of pain and confusion, but He does so for “our good and His glory”and we should trust Him in those times.
This is true.
What I wonder about, however, is how God feels when He puts us through those necessary, but painful trials.
There is a doctrine in classical theism that addresses this…it’s called the doctrine of “impassibility”
From “CARM”;
“It is the doctrine that God does not have passions or emotions. It is also stated that since God does not change, he is, therefore, not emotionally affected by what happens in our world. More specifically, it is the doctrine that God does not experience pain or pleasure due to the actions of others.”
I don’t buy it anymore.
God is love and love that is not relational is not love at all.
Now, I don’t believe that God is ever surprised or shaken by events here, but neither can I conceive of a parent that doesn’t feel things deeply when their children are involved.
That’s why all the way through this trial He showed Himself strong for me.
Veterinary care is expensive and there was no room in my budget for any care at all, let alone an emergency room visit, surgery, and medication.
As each challenge came, He (in my mind, miraculously) provided for it.
While I was caring for Miss Kitty, He was providing for me.
He was demonstrating love and concern for me, not just executing a holy decree.
I wonder if He was concerned that I wouldn’t trust Him anymore.
I wonder why I am learning the same lessons as my cat…
He loves you.
Your feelings matter to Him.
You matter to Him.
Trust…
Make your own application…
A-men! Beautiful…. So true and we are walking that path with our cat Rocky at this moment as well. I KNOW that God provides and will somehow provide again.
Like you, we also see lessons from God as we care for the lives of our cats, who at this stage of our lives are, our “kids”. I can’t stand the suffering and I dread the loss.
I read the Book of Daniel this week, and the chapter 2 story of the fiery furnace. We all know that story and the usual sermon conclusion that He is IN the furnace with us. As I look back on my own life and ‘fiery’ times, I see that while He did not keep me out of the giant trials or suffering, He was with me IN the fires, and His Presence is the ultimate provision.
Amen, Paige…and we’re praying for Rocky to recover fully as well!
Thank you…. he has quite a fan club…as does Miss Kitty…
Amen… Amen indeeed ! ! !
I want to be like my daughter’s horse. The other day when the cougar screamed on the hill right behind her paddock, she wanted to come out of there with me. When i said no and pushed her back from the gate – she wheeled around and stood with her tail to me. I said, “i’m sorry Gracie. You just can’ t come with me.” She then turned around and gave me horse kisses. I’d swear she understood my words. I pray that i kiss the God Who says no to me, too. …
Em, that is lovely…. How I wish our animals could converse with us in a known language! I guess the communication with them is a lot like Faith and communicating with God, Whom we cannot see or usually hear… we talk, but don’t really hear back… and have to look at ‘symptoms’ and circumstances to discern His guidance…. another lesson from the animal kingdom.
We just got back from a short post-Christmas vacation and the pup spent a few nights in the dog hotel. We just picked her up a few hours ago and her whole body language- stiff-legged and not looking me in the eye- says she’s holding a grudge. Mr. Noodles, (cat) who stayed home, gave me a kiss when he saw me. Mrs. Rabbit must have been afraid we’d never come back because she hoarded her food and barely ate anything. Chickens: squawking happily, nothing to report there.
I had a pastor who said, in the course of a sermon, that animals don’t have emotions. The whole congregation laughed at him.
Animals are a consolation from God.
Thank you again Michael for a great “make your own application”.
Animals can teach us so much & they truly are a gift from a loving Heavenly Father!