A Special Delivery

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.

AS SOON AS DAVE SAW the words Mom and Dad on his phone screen, he knew something was wrong. His parents never called at this time in the morning. With the country in the middle of a lockdown due to soaring COVID-19 numbers, Dave’s mind instantly went to the worst-case scenario.

Will they have to go to the hospital? Do they have enough food in the house? Should I drive to St. Louis to take care of them? Shaking these instantaneous thoughts from his head, he answered the phone.

“Hi, son. Sorry for calling so early, but your mother wanted you to know that Annie passed away last night.”

Dave immediately tried to recall a relative or family friend named Annie.

“She died peacefully, but your mom’s pretty broken up about it, especially since Annie was our last cat, you know, and the last tangible connection to your grandma.”

“Oh, Dad, I’m so sorry.”

He had greatly admired his parents for being willing to take in the three cats his grandmother had left to them in her will. While his mom had always been an avid animal lover, his dad wasn’t a cat person. But his dad had cared well for the trio of felines, and he had truly grieved alongside Dave’s mom when the two oldest cats had died the previous year. Annie had been providing much-needed companionship for the couple, who couldn’t get out much to visit friends.

“Will you let Sarah know? I tried to reach her, but I think she must have already left for work.”

“I’ve got it covered, Dad,” Dave assured his father before hanging up.

Dave and his wife, Brooke, wished there was something they could do to help ease his parents’ pain. But even if they made the five-hour drive to their house, what could they do? If only we could carry their grief for them, Dave thought as he dialed his sister’s number.

He was surprised when Sarah answered the phone on the first ring since she was a busy veterinarian in Indiana. Sarah inhaled deeply when Dave told her the news.

“Poor Mom and Dad. I think Annie was really helping them cope with everything that’s been going on right now. I hate the idea of them not having her.”

“I know exactly what you mean,” Dave said. His family’s animals were providing comfort, distraction, and a much-needed sense of grounding for himself, his wife, and their two daughters. Having someone else to care for—especially someone who wasn’t the least bit concerned about viral load count, flattening curves, or politics—helped restore a bit of normalcy to otherwise far-from-normal days. Dave could hear someone talking to Sarah in the background.

“Um, Dave . . . I think a possible solution was just carried through the door. Gotta go. Call you soon.”

What in the world did she mean by that? Several hours later when Sarah called him back, he got the answer.

“Sorry about earlier,” she said when he answered the phone.

Dave could tell from the road noise that she was driving and using her car’s Bluetooth.

“A woman came in with a young orange tabby cat that she needed to surrender. She was so brokenhearted about it. She is a caregiver to several family members who are really sick, and because of the pandemic, money is tight for her, and she just wanted her cat—Peaches—to have a better life with people who could give her the time and attention she needs.”

Dave knew where Sarah was going with this.

“I told her I had the perfect couple for Peaches. And after a quick exam, a few shots, and a flea treatment, I’m driving her to St. Louis.”

“You know you are amazing, don’t you?”

“I do,” Sarah said, with a laugh. “But really, it was like God plopped this little one into my day and said, ‘Go take her home.’ Mom and Dad were so generous to take in Grandma and Grandpa’s cats all those years ago, so it feels good to be able to do something for them.”

Dave couldn’t agree more.

PAWS & PONDER . . .

Have you received help from someone recently? Did they give of their time, money, or other resources? Did they advocate on your behalf? How did their assistance make you feel? What are some practical ways you could help someone today?

Paws & Pray

Lord, thank you for all the ways you are always there for me. You supply strength, offer peace, and provide everything I need. You truly are my ever-present help in times of trouble. Please open my eyes to see the needs of those around me, and open my heart and hands to be willing to help where I can.