Chaplain's Message for AFSC: Fun Friday Thoughts, a symbol of happiness

  • Published
  • By Chaplain Joshua Wright
  • 72nd Air Base Wing

Hebrews 13:5-6 :“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?””

You have likely heard is said that a dog is man’s best friend, but a cat is man’s master. Cats can sometimes get a bad rep for coming across as demanding or self-centered. But cats can have a softer side and some argue that they are just “purrrfect”. See what I did there? Did you know that a cats purr is considered one of the most soothing sounds that we can hear? Though cats do it all the time, scientist don’t know why it happens. Cats purr for all sorts of reasons. They’ll purr when they are nervous or when they are happy. Cats purr when they are content and when they want something. Female cats will purr soon after their kittens are born so that the little kittens (whose eyes are closed) can find warmth and their mother’s milk. Scientist speculate that the purr function simply soothes them and could possibly help them recover from injuries quicker. No matter the reason behind each cats purrsonality (I did it again), in general the sound of a purr has become a symbol of happiness and contentment.

During the winter and holiday season, we can often be discontented when we consider what we have vs what we don’t have. Or we become discouraged or stressed trying to get the next gift for that loved one or friend. Remember this season is a time for reflection on what matters most. The God of the universe came down and entered human history. He committed to never leave you; nor forsake you. The apostle Paul encouraged his readers by telling them that he had learned to find joy in all circumstances because he reflected on the promise that God was always with him. When we trust in God, versus anything or anyone else, then even on our worst days we can find joy because God has promised to be by our side. That alone is a pretty good reason to purr.

Fun Fact: It’s not just house cats that purr. The bigger cats (bobcats, cheetahs, etc.) purr too. However, there are some big cats (lions, tigers, etc.) that don’t purr but instead ROAR. The reason for this is due to the fact that the bone in their throat is too hard to vibrate. This is in contrast to the elastic bone found in those cats that purr.

Have a great weekend!