Lessons From Animals, Part 7:
A Helping Hand
"If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away." (Matt 5:40-42 NKJV)
It was the perfect weather for a walk the other day.
It was that beautiful time of the year right between the end of Winter and
the start of Spring. Cool breezes tickled my face while the rising sun
quickly burnt away the morning fog. Birds were starting to sing their love
songs again and to built nests for their future young. My heavy coat had
been traded for a light jacket. The grass was still moist from the freshly
melted snow and the Maples and Oaks seemed to be deep in thought over
whether to send out their buds now or wait a few more weeks.
I walked along the edge of the woods and gazed up at the bright, blue sky.
As I was thanking God for another glorious morning, however, a sad sound
reached my ears. It was a mewing that sounded like a newborn kitten. I
looked around on the ground but couldn’t see one anywhere. Then I noticed
that the crying seemed to be coming from above and glanced up into the
trees. I soon spotted him. It was no kitten but a full grown tomcat who had
let Spring fever get the best of him. He had scaled an Oak like it was
nothing but was now too scared to climb back down.
I knew I couldn’t leave him up there but wondered if I would need a ladder
to get to him. I decided to let my boyhood tree climbing skills guide me
instead. Grasping the rough branches I slowly made my way up to the cat.
Then cradling him in one arm I lowered myself down again and safely let him
go. He gave me a quick thank you glance and then scurried off. I smiled as I
watched him go then headed for home with scraped up hands but a warm heart.
Few things in this life make you feel better than offering a helping hand to
someone in need. It connects you with God. It brings you closer to others.
It helps you become who you were meant to be. The next time then that you
get a chance to give someone a hand up or in the cat’s case a hand down take
it. A helping hand like a loving heart always leads to a happy soul.
By: Joseph J. Mazzella