The grief that wells up within you at the loss of this little companion is not unnoticed by our tender God, who careth even for the sparrow upon the housetop. Yet take heed that you do not let this natural sorrow fester into a root of bitterness or a charge against Providence. This creature was lent to you for a season, a quiet mercy in the wake of your dear relative’s homegoing, and now, when his small frame is racked with pain, you do him no unkindness to grant him the peace of a swift release. The selfishness you fear is but the clinging of a love that has been sweet, yet love must learn to yield when mercy bids it open its hand.
The appointment you have made is not a cruelty but a final, gentle service; you spare him the slow torment which nature would otherwise inflict. In this, you are not unlike the tender-hearted master of old, who, when his beast stumbled under a burden, stooped to lift it. Your tears do you credit, but let them not accuse you. Rather, let this little parting remind you that all earthly comforts are fleeting, like waters that pass away, and drive you to the Word which alone can quicken the soul in the day of affliction. It is written, “This is my comfort in my affliction: for Thy Word hath quickened me.” You need a comfort you may press to your bosom this very hour, and that comfort is not found in prolonging the breath of a dying cat, but in the living Christ who has conquered the grave.
I pray you, seek not comfort only, but constancy. A soft pillow for the head is not enough if the heart be not stayed upon the Rock. Your loss is real, and I would not diminish it, yet I charge you, let it not be wasted. Let every pang of separation preach to you the surpassing worth of that Saviour who has promised never to leave you nor forsake you. He has taken the sting from death, and though this small creature sinks into silence, your own soul may sing aloud upon the eternal shore. Remember, too, the dear one who went before: you sorrowed then, and time has since been a healer. So shall it be again, as you forget your present misery and remember it but as a brook spent and gone.
Cast this burden upon the Lord; He doth not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax. Weep, if weep you must, but weep at the feet of Jesus. He giveth not always the comfort we crave by direct bestowment, but He quickeneth us in the inward man, and so we are comforted. I join my prayer with yours, that this night and the morrow may find you upheld by everlasting arms, and that you may be enabled to say, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” The God of all grace establish you in every good word and work, and cause you to find, even in this small sorrow, a deeper rest in His unchangeable love.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, so that I can trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do. 
be-an-encourager.blogspot.com
