Although I’ve only had my cats, Matatu and Fatima, for five years, it seems like I have had them for much longer! Other than my plants and all the kids I claim at church, these two critters are my children! When I was making the move from Arkansas back to my home state of Texas, it was quite the adventure with two cats in tow. Neither of them wanted to be in a cage or in a vehicle any length of time, much less for what ended up being about an eight-hour drive. Once my cats got settled at my parents’ house and I got settled in Conroe, my parents began to notice that Matatuos appearance and demeanor were changing.

Matatu was one of five in Fatima’s first litter of kittens. His daddy was the biggest cat I had ever seen…I was intimidated to even approach him. Matatu is built like his daddy. He has the same coloring and he is tall and solid. He is not a light cat to pick up! However, this once healthy and solidly built cat was becoming lethargic and his body seemed to be wasting away.

As Matatu’s health was transforming, he was continually drinking water but never seemed to have his thirst quenched. He would stand at the water bowl and drink rapidly for ten minutes straight, then repeatedly come back for more. Meanwhile, he was getting skinnier and skinner. He was losing weight each day. As they prepared to learn that he was dying, my parents took him to the vet and learned that he had diabetes. What Matatu needed in order to keep from wasting away was for his blood sugar to be regulated. Insulin is what helps him with that. When I give him his two shots every day, he patiently waits for me to care for him, even coming to me when I show him the syringe. It almost seems that he knows the insulin is the source of his renewal.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
2 Corinthians 4:16-17

God is our source of daily renewal. We must have our spiritual hunger and thirst quenched with the words of life found in scripture. As we live with our earthly minds and bodies, we will have struggles. I love Paul’s encouragement to not “lose heart.” Even as our bodies are wasting away, God gives us a priceless, eternal treasure in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I encourage you to find nourishment for your soul from God’s Word today.

Love in Christ,
Adam