My wife and I were back home in our bed following a sad trip to Rochester, New York after her 97-year old mom passed away near there.

In the middle of the night, I woke up to a warm, soft lump beside me in bed. It was our cat, Angel.

Perhaps she only wanted to be in a warm spot next to me during the chilly night.

But I choose to believe she knew I was exhausted and sad.

She wanted to welcome me home and comfort me!

I thought of the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of the LORD—that comes to us to comfort and sustain us. How?

In the way Jesus comforted us: “Let not your heart be troubled.” (John 14:1 KJV).

In the way Jesus assured us: “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.” (John 14:16 KJV).

In the way Jesus promised us: “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:18 KJV

In the way Jesus blessed us: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.” (John 14:27 KJV).

Then I thought about how my cat’s name is “Angel”. She is a gorgeous, long-haired cat. Her hair is white as snow—like an angel’s! (Matthew 28:3; Mark 16:5; Luke 24:4; John 20:12; Acts 1:10).

I remembered the times that God sent angels to help people in distress.

Angels came to the Prophet Elijah when he was exhausted and depressed. They strengthened him with gifts of food, drink and sleep. (1 Kings 19:1-9).

Jesus himself was strengthened by angels after he overcame temptations in the Wilderness (Matthew 4:11; Mark 1:13) and when he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane to accept the cup of crucifixion (Luke 22:43).

No wonder the Apostle Paul wrote: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:3).

Why?

Because he “comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4).

Sometimes he comforts us through words of Jesus comforting us, assuring us, promising us, and blessing us.

Sometimes he comforts us with real or symbolic angels.

And sometimes he comforts us with a gorgeous loving cat who cuddles against us during long, dark, chilly nights.

QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT

Have you ever had a dog, cat, or other pet that comforted you when you were exhausted or sad? How?

When has the LORD—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—comforted you in all your troubles? How?

When have you comforted those in any trouble with the comfort you receive from the LORD—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? How?

When have you been comforted by angels—real or symbolic? How?

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For more of my thoughts inspired by our pets, please read my blogs “Toto Begging for Food”, “The Star of Bethlehem Was a ‘Can of Tuna Fish’”, “I Love You, Gram. Bye!”, “Eating Too Much Too Quickly”, “Stop Drinking Stagnant Water”, and “Neelix: Fear Not!“.