The Day God Used My Cat to Teach Me His Love - He's So Worth It Ministries

Odie: My favorite pet of all time!

I have had many special times when God has shown up in my life—times when I knew with absolute certainty that God was with me, actively intervening, or communicating something of great importance. In fact, I recently wrote a book (Seeing God Everywhere) revolving around this very thing. Outside of the moment when I first got saved, the time I came to more deeply and personally understand God’s love for me has to be at the top of the list. And He used one of my cats to do it! Here’s how it happened.

About twenty-five years ago, I was on my knees praying and crying, leaning against the foot of the bed. I was hurting. I don’t even remember why.

Well, my cat, Odie, jumped up on the bed and plopped down by my head, wanting to be petted

That’s when I sensed God speak ever so clearly to my heart:

“Just come to Me like Odie. Let Me love on you. You don’t have to bring Me anything except yourself. Just let Me love on you like you love on Odie. Let Me comfort you.”

As I allowed God to minister to my soul, I was utterly blown away! I experienced firsthand what the Bible says in Psalm 34:18 that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

My life has never been the same since. I needed to know that I was loved unconditionally—and to actually receive that love. I didn’t realize that was my deepest need in that moment, but my Savior did. If the Lord had never revealed any more truth to me than that, it would have been enough to secure my undying devotion to Him for the rest of my life. That moment is forever etched in my heart.

Looking back, I can see that my relationship with the Lord soared from that point on. I believe it’s because I finally knew I was safe with Him. I could open up. I could trust Him. I could be completely honest about what I was thinking and feeling. I didn’t have to pretend to be joyful when I wasn’t—or hide my anger when it was there.

I learned that I could just go to God and work through the difficult issues of my life with Him. He would never turn me away. I don’t deserve this kind of love—but how foolish I would be not to receive it!

Odie didn’t do anything. He simply came to be with me, wanting to be caressed. Let us also go to our Father in our time of need—whatever it is. We don’t have to bring anything except ourselves. Jesus has already brought everything necessary by way of the cross. Accept His free gifts with humility and gratitude and be forever changed!

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
(Heb 4:16 NIV)

My friend, knowing that you are unconditionally love is one of the most important truths you can grasp. When God used my cat, Odie, to reveal His unconditional and undeserved love for me, you can understand why Odie became my favorite pet of all time. He was precious to me because God used him to show me how precious I was to my Owner.

“…You are precious to me and honored, and I love you.” (Is 43:4 TLB)

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