Arms of Love
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4:18 (NKJV)
All animals react uniquely to thunderstorms. Once upon a time, I had a cat that used to climb the curtains and hang on for dear life while the sky flashed and boomed. Another feline friend used to hide in the closet. I find it very interesting how we, as Christians, handle our storms. Terry Clifton (All God’s Creatures) shares a heartfelt message in which you may find the solution.
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A bolt of lightning flashed and then a deafening clap of thunder rattled the windows of my office. Our hypersensitive Manx cat, Barnie, dashed under my chair and let out pitiful yowls of fear at each crack and sharp clap of thunder. As an elderly cat, he usually ambled from room to room but he became an Olympian track star when thunder rumbled or lightning flashed.
After leaning over the side of my chair and hyperextending my left arm, I managed to lift my overweight black Manx. Usually, he would have gone feral on me. Although loving, Barnie was a rescued street cat who would take a swipe at anyone he felt was threatening him…including me, his cat “Papa.”
My wife and I couldn’t have kids, so we had cats. Barnie was my older boy. We had adopted him from a shelter. He and his three brothers were found abandoned in a shuttered manufacturing plant. We never know what happened to his mother. Due to his fragile health, we almost lost him in the first months, but miraculously, he survived to become the big strapping cat he was now.
“See?” I whispered in his ear, after parking him in my lap, his head nestled under my arm, “Papa’s loving arms are around you now—you’ll be just fine. Nothing with hurt you.” He answered with a soft guttural purr.
As I thanked the Lord for Barnie, I realized that Papa God was showing me what His love for me was like—so complete and encompassing that whenever I called upon Him, He was there, surrounding me with His loving Presence.
Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place. —Zora Neale Hurston
Father God, thank You for Your loving arms that enfold me when I feel afraid, lost and alone. Thank You for Your Holy Word that tells me I am Your child forever and ever and that You love me beyond words. AMEN.