Lessons I learned from my girl, Rua, street cat
An acquaintance found my girl, Rua, in a tree. All the other kittens ran away, but Rua stayed. They put a picture online, and I knew she was mine. I was helping my MIL at the time by working from her house two states away. I asked them to hold her for a few days until I could fly back.
I arrived home too late to get Rua. The next day, I rushed over to see my girl. We were invited into the house and sat on a couch. When she brought Rua into the room, I nearly squealed. She was so adorable. Everyone approved of us taking Rua home, and we left with our new sweetheart.
Rua Meets the Boys
We closed the doors at the house, and Rua settled down to eat. The boys came into the room to investigate the intruder. Max, Fayde, Wiley, and Pepper sniffed at her, and she hissed. All the cats, but Max backed off and gave her room. Max stayed close.
We put a jingle collar on Rua so we could find her. We let her out back the next day, and she hid in the jade plant. I didn’t realize she could climb on it.
Rua watched Max jump over the fence on the second day in the yard. He scrambled up the wood. Then he hopped over to the other side. As I watched, Rua leaped to the top of the fence in one bound and jumped over before I could move. “Rua!” I shouted
About an hour later, Max and Rua returned to the house, but Rua’s collar was gone. When I returned from a walk one day, I saw Rua on the roof. My little girl was indeed a Bengal mix. And she loved the outdoors.
My street cat Rua taught me several things.
- Know the sound of my voice
John 10:4-6 When all the sheep have been gathered, he walks on ahead of them; and they follow him because they know his voice. The sheep would not be willing to follow a stranger; they run because they do not know the voice of a stranger. Jesus explained a profound truth through this metaphor, but they did not understand His teaching.
In the evenings, I would walk the street and call for Rua. She was rarely in the same place, so I walked and called her name. When I got close to her hiding place, she called out to me. I would pause and greet her as she rubbed my legs. Then, we would move back toward the house.
In the same way, I wait to hear the voice of my Savior calling to me. He spends time with me, greeting me with joy. Jesus delights in my presence. And I delight in Him.
- Understand your limits
Psalm 5:11-12 But let those who run to You for safety be glad they did; let them break out in joyful song. May You keep them safe—their love for You resounding in their hearts. You, O Eternal, are the One who lays all good things in the laps of the right-hearted. Your blessings surround them like a shield.
Many nights, Rua would show up at the door and wait to be let in. So I watched, struggling to stay awake long enough for her to come home. When she was ready, she would appear. And I would open the door for her. Then we could go to sleep.
The Lord God did not mean for us to walk this life without Him. He sent His Spirit to us so we could dwell in His presence. We do need to acknowledge Him.
Too often, we work hard to finish our projects while He waits for us. He wants us to rest in Him, and His safety surrounds us at night. We can leave our tasks in His hands while we rest our heads.
- Pick your battles
Ephesians 6:18 Pray always. Pray in the Spirit. Pray about everything in every way you know how! And keeping all this in mind, pray on behalf of God’s people. Keep on praying feverishly, and be on the lookout until evil has been stayed.
One night, Rua and I walked back to the house. It was late, and the street seemed deserted. As we walked past the front sidewalk, I looked at the front porch and nearly froze. Raccoons hovered near the front door, staring back at me.
I looked down at Rua and saw her ignore the raccoons. We walked past the garage and went up the driveway to the side door. She was right. If we ignore them, they will leave us alone. Considering that the raccoons were huge and their heads easily reached the height of the doorknob, I was glad to slip by them.
When I feel attacked from all sides, I need to pray. God will show me how to walk and whether to speak up or move on. I don’t have to fight every battle; I can pray and let God take care of it.
I never saw those raccoons again.
- Make yourself small
Psalm 32:6-8 So let all who are devoted to You speak honestly to You now, while You are still listening. For then when the floods come, surely the rushing water will not even reach them. You are my hiding place. You will keep me out of trouble and envelop me with songs that remind me I am free. [pause] I will teach you and tell you the way to go and how to get there; I will give you good counsel, and I will watch over you.
Rua grew into a large cat. When she stretched out, it was easy to believe her size. But she could also make herself small. That’s how she survived outdoors. She would fit into a small hiding place while she slept safely. After one heavy rain, she returned home completely dry. How did she do that?
The Lord is my hiding place. I often sing the simple chorus, hearing it as a round in my head. “You are my hiding place. You always fill my heart with songs of deliverance. Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.”
When I feel overwhelmed or afraid, the Lord is my refuge, shield, and hiding place. He fills my heart with song. I will trust in Him.
- if necessary, bring out your claws
2 Chronicles 20:16-18 Tomorrow, they will travel through the ascent of Ziz. Meet them at the end of valley before the wilderness of Jeruel. There, I will be watching. Stand and watch, but do not fight the battle. There, you will watch the Eternal save you, Judah and Jerusalem.”
Do not fear or worry. Tomorrow, face the army and trust that the Eternal is with you. Jehoshaphat bowed his head low, and all the assembly fell prostrate before the Eternal and worshiped Him with reverence. They trusted the Lord completely.
One day, while Rua was keeping company with her humans, a hawk flew by. Rua slowly walked away from the humans, and the hawk dived to attack Rua as we looked on. Rua quickly rolled on the ground, holding all her claws toward the hawk. The hawk managed to halt his dive and flew away. Rua sat up and licked her claws.
Sometimes, we have to fight. We have to stand our ground. God stands with us and fights for us. We trust in Him ultimately to deliver us from the evil one. While our enemies appear to be fellow humans, humans are influenced in the spiritual realm. We fight against the fallen beings who influence the earthly realm.
- Take delight in short walks.
Isaiah 9:3 And You, God, will make it happen. You bolstered the nation, making it great again. You have saturated it with joy. Everyone in it is full of delight in Your presence, like the joy they experience at the harvest, like the thrill of dividing up the spoils of war.
One of my favorite things about walks with Rua was the sight of her tail straight up in the air, signaling her delight in spending time with me doing what she loved. We enjoyed walking together, and I would tell her of my day.
It is incredible to me to think that the Creator of the universe would take delight in me. Who am I that He would enjoy time with me? I am His child, and He holds me in His arms. He listens to me, to my dreams or sorrows. We laugh together and enjoy His creation.
- Snuggle at night
Psalm 4:7-8 You have filled me with joy, and happiness has risen in my heart, great delight and unrivaled joy, even more than when bread abounds and wine flows freely. Tonight I will sleep securely on a bed of peace because I trust You, You alone, O Eternal One, will keep me safe.
As I drifted off to sleep, I felt the weight of my girl snuggling next to me in bed. She trusted me to keep her safe, and I was delighted by her presence.
In the same way, the Lord allows me to sleep peacefully, secure in His arms. He fills me with quiet joy. His provision for my needs will enable me to rest. I trust in Him.
While my girl Rua is no longer with me, the lessons she taught me to guide me every day. In a hostile world, these lessons meet my needs. Rua, my little street cat, rest in peace.
