Black Cat Ministry

Last night as I was leaving work, I happened across a beautiful black cat hanging out by my car. Being the pet lover that I am, I did my best to coax the cat over to me so I could pet it. She (or he, not sure which) would approach me just out of arm's reach and then bolt away each time I would reach out to pet her. This routine went on for a while until I finally decided to sit down on the curb and see what she would do.

After taking my seat, the cat began to pace around me, walking in circles until finally deciding to sit down next to me, again just out of arm's reach. I talked softly to her, and she meowed back at me. I tossed a leaf into the air and she playfully chased after it. But if I made any attempt to reach out and pet her, she would bolt away, only to come back a few seconds later and replay the entire routine. I finally decided to just sit with her and see if she would come up to me on her own.

As I looked at this cat, I noticed a bald scar on her neck. I can only assume by her reactions that she has been hurt or teased by humans in the past and is not quite sure if she can trust one again. Perhaps the scar was a remnant of this abuse. But it seemed to me that she had also had positive experiences with people and knew that humans could be friendly and provide companionship. You could almost see the battle raging within her between her heart and her head...

After about a half hour, I gave up on my attempt to pet the cat and headed for the house. But the experience left a vivid impression on me and caused me to reflect on my own interactions with people.

I have met many people who are much like this black cat. They have put their trust in other people, or perhaps even the church, and have gotten burned. Gossip, lies, innuendo, disappointment and physical scars are but a small list of the damage that others can do. Much like the cat, these people are longing for companionship and intimacy, yet it is so difficult to bring themselves to trust when reminders of hurt and betrayal are fresh in their minds. Some never recover and spend their whole life lonely and afraid, wondering where God is in the midst of their pain.

But this cat also reminded me of myself. I too have been wounded by people I trusted, and I know what it means to fear intimacy. I have been hurt by family members, friends, people in the church and complete strangers. And each time it makes it just a little more difficult to trust.

How do you and I respond when a black cat crosses our path? When we see a person who is hurting or lonely, are we the type of people who demonstrate patience, love and acceptance, or are we quick to go on our way, figuring that someone else can help? Do we recognize that our willingness to invest ourselves in that person's life might make all the difference in the world to them, or do we instead assume that if they really want help they will come to us?

The truth is that all of us at some point in our lives are going to be hurt, and every one of us is going to need love and acceptance in order to discover healing. I just wonder how many of us are willing to be the type of people who will give of ourselves in order to meet the need of others, and how many of us will just walk away. I want to be the type of person who stays and helps no matter what it might cost me. It might not be easy, but it is what Jesus has done for me and I know it is what He wants me to do for others.

I wish I could say that I won over the cat. Not yet... But next time I see her, maybe I can build on the trust that we began last night. And maybe one day soon she will find out that there are people in this world willing to love her if she will only give them one more chance... She is just out of reach, but hopefully not for long.

"Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see"

from "Give Me Your Eyes," by Brandon Heath.