Recently we took in a stray cat from outside. If you have ever had a cat you might have observed the phenomenon of the more they are loved the nicer their fur becomes. I have often taken this for granted, but this morning my mind was drawn back to this thought. Over the time since we’ve taken in our stray which we’ve lovingly named “Muffin” I’ve watched his fur grow softer and nicer almost by the day.
I watch and laugh as he is often lounging around as if he was finally in heaven. His belly is always full and there is always someone to pet him. His fur is no longer rough to the touch. My mind wandered off of him and onto my daughter’s plants which we constantly struggle to keep alive. The geraniums had some flowers on them and were looking a bit better recently.
So what does a plant and a cat have in common you might ask? Well the flowers on the plant come AFTER we put the time love and effort into caring for it. The cat got healthier, and more well groomed and beautiful AFTER he was loved. So naturally I had to figure out how many more things this thought could be applied to.
Sometimes when people suffer from depression they can be observed by others as “having let go” or “they’ve really gone downhill.” The beauty is dulled and the lack of care and love becomes apparent. When a person is loved immensely by those around them and genuinely feels loved and loves themselves they have a glowing beauty that radiates from them.
Birds start their lives as a dull looking egg, then are born naked and ugly looking. Does the mother bird love them any less because they are lacking their feathers? The birds that are nurtured and loved grow those beautiful feathers and their beauty. Their beauty comes AFTER they are loved.
So what does all of this mean for us as human beings and what can we take away from all of this? John 13:34-35 commands us to love one another as Jesus has loved us. When you love the people around you, you help bring joy and beauty to their lives. Focus first on loving people and not on their outward beauty. Remember that a rose wasn’t a rose until after it was cared for and grew.
In this world of social media and “influencers” we have forgotten what it means to love one another. We need to step away from the phones and other devices and give our family and friends a hug. Spend time making memories not selfies. Don’t look down on the person who has “let themselves go”, love them and help them stand back up.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I hope its touched you somehow. Please give someone a hug that needs it today.
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