We said goodbye to our big cat, Ulysses, today. He had a history of health problems and passed away in his sleep last night. Here he is pictured a little younger (and smaller) as he cozied up to an open bible.
How is it these critters work their way into our hearts? I was always a dog lover, but when Marcia’s cats used the litter box the first day, I remember thinking, “This is one smart animal.”
Ulysses came to us by way of a tiny stray mama cat who adopted us before letting us know she was expecting. Marcia was midwife for the litter of three on Father’s Day 2005, and we kept Ulysses and his brother Felix. (Our son Michael named the cats after military leaders.)
I’ve come to appreciate the lessons that God teaches me through our pets. One lesson is quite obvious for a cat: don’t stress over the small stuff, maybe even the seemingly big stuff. If it isn’t chasing you it might not be that important.
Another observation is how Ulysses, along with our other pets, didn’t appear to dwell on pain or discomfort. This, contrasted with us humans, who have quite an affinity for dwelling on every littlest suffering and telling everyone else about it. (“Can you believe I had to wait in line for twenty minutes, and then they closed the register, before I checked out?!”) I suppose we all have embarrassing ‘pity’ stories we wish we didn’t have!
I’ve found that God often uses His creation to reveal something of His character to us: The gentleness of a pet, the majesty of a sunset, the hope of a new day, the marvel of crocus blooming through the snow, the power of a river, the serenity and peace of a pond, the refreshment of a meadow, the joy of a bird’s song…
Everywhere we look, there is a reflection of His image. Even in us.
What characteristics of God do others see in you?
“Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…””
Genesis 1:26a
I’m sure Ulysses lived his life like a child: the present and nothing else. I’m continually marvelled by God’s “lesser” creatures… Their simple “wisdom” makes my own crumble in dust. Yes, thank you, dear Lord, for bringing Ulysses into a loving and God-fearing family who by loving it, they loved You.
Sorry for you loss Brian & Marcia, blessings to you both.
Ulysses and Bernadette must be having a great time together as they both went on the same day. Bernadette was loved by a cancer patient who misses her greatly. Loving prayers go to you both as you miss your good friend.