“The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation” (Psalm 145:9–NLT).

The other day–on her Adoption Day of all days–our 17-year-old daughter brought home kittens. Two, in fact. Teeny-tiny things–their pitiful cries exactly as one might imagine. The pair’s ears are just beginning to pop, and their deep blue eyes have not yet changed.

One is mostly black, with only a patch of white under her chin as well as a thin stripe running from her nose to the top of her furry noggin. The other is calico, with bits of brown and gold mixed in with black. She, too, dons several splotches of white.

Allie named them Flower and Honey respectively, though I told her, “Naming them makes it more difficult to let go, and there’s no guarantee we’ll keep them, dear.”

Truth is, it’s doubtful we will.

After all, we already have two indoor cats as well as two indoor / outdoor dogs. Their best chance of staying on Selah Farm is if they become barn cats, though I’m not sure I want panthers lurking about–stalking the other wildlife that often finds shelter inside or near the barn, like baby bunnies and (especially in springtime) fledgling swallows.

Allie knows this, though I think she’s still holding on with hope we’ll change our minds–adding two more kits to our already fur-infested home. (We will not!)

“For now, consider yourself a foster mom,” I encouraged, not desiring to dash her dreams” on her very own “Gotcha Day.” (Oh, the irony!)

These four-week-old kittens are precious and not yet ready to be away from their feline family. “They’ll take a lot of work,” I added.

We don’t know what happened to momma, nor do we know if there were other kittens in the litter. Allie simply received a text message from “a friend of a friend” who said the kittens had to go or they’d be exterminated. Having a tender heart toward animals much like her parents, Allie took two, paying fifteen dollars for the pair. And…

Here we are.

But I must say, despite my frustration when she arrived home late last Thursday, the tiny duo in tow, these small creatures truly remind me–

Our God is one for kindly detail.

Observing Flower and Honey, one can hardly not well up with emotion–seeing their wee “wittle” noses, hearing their cries (“Mew, mew, mew!”), and watching as they plunk around on itty-bitty paws that barely know yet how to stand. (Their awkward walk is a sight to behold!)

At feeding time, they search for the bottle’s nipple with fervor, their pink-padded paws flaring in and out–an instinctual reflex called “kneading.” As they grab hold and suckle, their eyes close. Then, afterward, each almost seems milk-drunk, or, as husband Bill calls it, suffers from milk coma.

The other day, I read in Psalms about the compassion our Creator showers on all His creation. And I have to say, this passage spoke tenderly to my heart.

I sometimes wonder why God created me with such a soft spot for animals, asking Him often to help me work through the sadnesses that are part of life, especially life on a farm where most of our animals are now geriatric.

It’s true.

We have an ancient Nigerian dwarf goat named Isaac (aka Sir Isaac Neutered). We have five old Scottish highland cows who dwell peacefully with half a dozen elderly sheep.

Inside, we have a sweet ol’ German shepherd who will be twelve in autumn, Rocky’s graying muzzle indication he’s entering his winter season. And we recently resuscitated our decade-old goldfish (but Buddy’s story is for another blog).

And I know.

We only have our pets and livestock for a short span of time in the great scheme of life, and I believe the words of Alfred Lord Tennyson in his poem “Lost Love”-

‘Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

Still, saying goodbye is hard, and frankly, I’m not good at it. Never have been. I lament such losses deeply, and it’s painful.

(Can anyone else relate?)

These words from Psalms, however, remind me–God is Creator. He is kind and good to all His creation, and He is compassionate to all that He creates, both showing compassion as well as instilling compassion.

With Jesus living inside us–His Spirit our guide–it’s no wonder we’re tender toward God’s created world.

Of course we know humans alone are made in His image–people uniquely bearing God’s reflection–but this doesn’t discount the miracle of other living forms, that which has the breath of life…

Like kittens.

And though I felt frustrated when Allie brought them home–and yes, they are a lot of work!–I understand. After all, my daughter, too, has a tender heart. She exemplifies the compassion of her Creator when she demonstrates kindness to that which He created.

So…

Stay tuned on what happens to Flower and Honey. Will they remain on Selah Farm or be adopted by someone else once Allie has fostered them for a season?

One thing’s for certain.

Each time I look at these precious creatures I see the creative hand of God, and I hear His voice–Your compassion is a reflection of My character within, and it’s beautiful.

I’m thankful for my daughter Allie who also cares for all God’s creatures–showering compassion on both the human as well as the furry varieties.

Yes, even if the time comes to say goodbye, I believe she’ll agree–‘T was better to have loved these kittens than to have never loved them at all.

And may it be so.

(Art by Nathan Greene, 2000–“The Lamb of God”)

Compassionate Father, thank You for allowing us to participate in Your plan by caring for Your created world. Help us be courageous enough to risk sadness and comfort us when we must say goodbye. Amen.

Peggy Frezon recently published a beautiful book that helps us in our grief. Goodbye to a Good Dog is a poignant, biblically sound tool reminding readers that there’s hope in heaven.

Leave a comment telling me about a pet, a time you demonstrated compassion, or perhaps a time you had to say goodbye. I’ll draw one name on August 7th from those who participate and ship a copy of Goodbye to a Good Dog to your door. (U.S. residents only, please.)