For more than seventeen years, our cat, Fenica, was a great source of companionship and enjoyment to Jack and me. But after all those years, she finally succumbed to a fatal disease after suffering for several months. She was an important part of our lives. In earlier years, she was bright and friendly and had the uncanny ability to endear herself to folks rather quickly.
A few years ago I wrote about how I found this abandoned, sick, starving creature and persuaded Jack to let me feed and nurse her back to health.
At first Dr. Van Impe would only consent for Fenica to stay out on the patio...then we let her into the garage on cold nights. From there she moved straight into our hearts -- and she was an important member of our family from that day on.
Over the years, quite a "love affair" developed between Jack and this soft, furry creature. Most people envision my husband as a very serious, scholarly man who thinks of nothing but Bible study and prayer. And he does spend many hours daily with his Bible and study material.
But I wish you could have seen him and Fenica on the floor, rolling around and playing their own games. They had a great relationship -- and some pretty silly conversations! I really don't know what all they talked about together, but from Fenica's expressions and faithful attentiveness, it seemed obvious that she understood and appreciated every word Jack said.
Of course, it was love at first sight for this little cat and me. And over the years she was so much company and a real friend. Often Fenica joined me as I knelt to pray. As I poured my heart out to God, I'd feel my little kitty snuggling up beside me.
During the dark days a few years back when the ministry was struggling with great financial difficulties and the stress seemed almost overwhelming, I was able to survive only by laying my burdens at the feet of the Lord. In those prayer times, when words failed me and tears coursed down my cheeks, how comforting it was to hear a gentle purr and to be suddenly -- thrillingly -- aware that I was not alone...that God's presence was all around me!
Jack and I started out to help and care for a neglected and needy animal. But in exchange for some medical attention and a little food, Fenica became a great source of joy and blessing to us. Only now -- after she is gone -- are we beginning to understand why the Lord sent this little creature into our lives.
Scientists have begun to find proof of what they only suspected before -- that contact with animals has specific effects on the human body and mind. Health officials have verified that pets have definite therapeutic value in people's regular daily lives, and also for people in institutions. Hospitals, nursing homes, and penal institutions have discovered the positive impact animals can have on handicapped or socially maladjusted individuals. Some of them regularly bring animals into therapy sessions for patients and inmates, and puppies and kittens often get responses from people no one else had been able to reach.
As early as 1790, a Quaker group in England discovered the value of taking mentally handicapped people on group retreats and encouraging them to roam the grounds and spend time with farm animals. This therapy seemed to get tremendous results compared with the limited institutional treatment available at that time.
Organizations like the Latham Foundation of Alameda, California, and the Delta Society of Renton, Washington, promote interest in human-animal bonding and study the role animals play in human development.
Studies have shown that encouraging abused children to be responsible for caring for animals -- especially disabled or injured creatures -- provides a real psychological boost. Perhaps just seeing how another helpless, hurting creature can overcome the odds and survive gives them hope.
But the benefit of association with animals is not just psychological. Studies show that the heart rate is lower when people are in the presence of a friendly animal. And elderly people with pets make fewer visits to the doctor. Perhaps we are discovering a new form of low cost preventive health care.
Of course, it's really not new at all. I believe it is highly significant that in the beginning, God first gave Adam the animals and birds to keep him from being lonely. Genesis 2:18,19 says, And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them.
I believe that in most cases, animals want to be the friends of man, not enemies. Most animals become hostile or vicious only out of fear or as a result of being abused by man.
How important are animals to us? We've already seen that God provided them to Adam even before He gave him Eve. That's pretty important! And later on, when the wickedness of man became intolerable to God in Noah's day, not only did the Lord devise a plan to save representatives of the family of man from the destruction of the flood, He also arranged to save at least one pair of every species of animal!
God regards His creatures as beautiful and valuable. And so should we. There are many ways they can be of service to us...and there is much we can learn from them.
I remember a cold winter's day when I walked into our bedroom to look for a book I'd left there. It was freezing cold outside, with snow on the ground, but the rays of the sun were streaming through the window.
Fenica was stretched out in a chair by the window, soaking up the warmth of the sun. When she heard me come in, she stretched her head back and looked at me upside down...but didn't move. It was almost as if she were saying, "I don't have a worry in the world -- I have you to keep me safe and warm."
I found my book and went back downstairs, but I found myself thinking how wonderful it would be if I could learn to trust and rest in the Lord's love the way our cat confidently and comfortably depended on Jack and me.
As Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount, If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children [or pets], how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (Matthew 7:11).
So perhaps we all could take some lessons in living from precious pets like Fenica.
- She trusted me and knew I loved her
and would not hurt her or allow her to
be injured -- and I can trust God (see
John 3:16; 1 John 3:16; Galatians 2:20;
Ephesians 2:4,5).
- My cat relied on me to direct her and
not let danger fall in her path -- and I
can rely on God (see Proverbs 3:5,6).
- Fenica knew I cared for her and that I
would take care of her, so she was not
burdened down with concern. I can
cast my care on the Lord, for He cares
for me (see 1 Peter 5:7).
- No matter what she needed, Fenica turned to me as her source of supply. And I can have that same relationship with my heavenly Father, who supplies all [my] need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
And finally, Fenica loved to be with Jack and me. Wherever we were in the house, she tried to be near us. Often, even when I walked through the house, she would go along with me. She didn't need anything -- she wasn't asking for anything...she just wanted to be near me and have fellowship with me. And that was so very special to me.
How much more must our heavenly Father enjoy having us want to spend time in His presence and have fellowship with Him? There's a wonderful inspirational song that says, "I'll walk with God." It speaks of having God beside us to lead and guide us.
What a thrill to be able to have personal fellowship with our Creator, who is also our Friend. Nothing in life can ever defeat us when we walk with Him.
It really is...The Perfect Blessing.