Comfort in Sickness and Grief

When cats observe that their humans are ill, they spring into motion. If you have the chills, your cat knows to camp out directly on or beside you to share the warmth. Should your teeth not stop chattering, Kitty will nestle herself like a scarf around your neck. Since their normal body temperature is between 101 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit, cats will nearly always be warmer than you are.

If you’re so out of it that the doctor advises bedrest, your cat will help remind you to stay put by parking her chonky rear atop your midsection. If you have multiple cats, they’ll almost certainly pitch in to pin you down until your entire body is upholstered in kitties. The doctor said you need rest, remember?

All your excuses about needing to get up will fall upon deaf ears. Cats, you see, are literalists. When God says he won’t leave or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5), kitties take that as a sacred command. Cats want you to know that they take camping out seriously.

Kitties have special clearance from the Most High to give succor and comfort when we need it most—and most cats won’t spout clichés or empty blah-blah about thoughts and prayers or tell you how terribly sick you look today.

We could learn a thing or two from our feline friends. When sorrows come, more humans could just be there, silently comforting instead of offering up stale advice that only makes people feel worse. Even master-napper cats would no doubt crack open one eye and then go back to their dreams, simply sitting and being with a sick or grieving person while encouraging their human to take a little catnap.

Paws-itive Faith Step: Visit a sick or elderly family member or friend, taking along some cute photos of kitties.

Father, thank you for my "fur-baby", who is quick to help me when I’m under the weather, sad, or grieving a loss. Thank you for giving me such a loving companion who sticks by my side. Let me be as loyal and caring a friend as my cat.