Unexpected valleys

After writing my post on walking softly through the valleys and into the light on Monday, I didn't realise that I would have to walk this tear-filled path on Tuesday (and Wednesday and Thursday and...)

You see, our special loving cat Po slept at the end of our bed on Monday night, but went out in the early hours of the morning. At about 4.30 there was a big noise (cats and dogs) and then Po did not come in for his breakfast at 6. Adam hunted for him on the way to work, and I kept an eye out. At 1 I went into the back garden and heard him answer. 

And found him over the wall, looking back at me with deep trust and love and answering. He'd lost his back legs and tail and still tried to come home, hit by a train. Such love. Such faithfulness. I climbed the wall and wrapped him up and brought him home with Monica's help, and then took him to the SPCA. Held him and loved him when I had to whisper goodbye. Our beautiful black and white, pipe-cleaner stealing, foot scrub lover, bed warmer, miaowing and gentle boy cat. 

Luke cried himself to sleep. I did too. So this hard-to-write post is a tribute to a faithful cat who pulled himself back all the way from the railway line to the people he loved, at the highest cost. 

If I have wept over this Po-cat, how does God weep over us? Over His world? I guess I know why He does not sleep.Because He weeps? Such injustice, such suffering. What must His heart hold if my heart weeps for just one of His creatures?

And if a cat born in a shebeen in Philippi can grow to bring such joy and love, and show such faithfulness, what does it say about the nature of Po's creator? And of the hope for His creation. Even our torn apart South Africa where children are sometimes thrown away and valued less than animals. 

Truly God, you write of your love for us in so many places. I did not expect this valley. I am grabbing your hand. This pain is more than my loss. It is Yours. I wish I could bring you comfort too.