Parables of the Pastor’s Cats

The Everlasting Arms

Our calico cat, Smoky, has perfectly good legs. But every once in a while, she just likes to be held. My wife is the preferred carrier. Diane will scoop the cat up, and Smoky will just sink down into her arms and fall asleep.

No wonder. Smoky is up all night hunting or feeding her kittens. During the day, she’s playing with the other cats, hunting, or feeding her kittens. It’s a hard life, and the normal day doesn’t contain enough hours to provide for work and for sleep.

But when she feels strong arms beneath her, Smoky rests.

There is a moment in the Old Testament when a group of people received a particular blessing. They were told: The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.

They were working people, with great challenges ahead. They were normal people, with great fears inside. They would grow weary, from time to time.

And there is no promise of success, at least in terms of wealth or security. They were promised only that there would always be strong arms beneath them.

My wife is not overwhelmingly strong, nor can she hold up our little calico for hours at a time. Her support can be only temporary at best. But the security of her arms are enough to allow a weary mother cat to relax, for a moment.

God offers something more. His are the everlasting arms, so they will be available at any time. And they stretch beneath me—or you, if you will have them.