Ugly Love

I read a story tonight about a tomcat. This cat had only one eye and one ear from one too many fights and a broken foot that caused him to forever walk in semi-circles. Had had matted hair and half a tail. His unofficial name became Ugly because anytime he was seen people could be heard yelling "That's one UGLY cat!" The kids were told to stay away and the grown ups would throw rocks or spray Ugly with a hose to chase him off.

But Ugly would have none of it. He wouldn't be chased away and was always ready to forgive. He'd see kids playing and run up to them, bumping their hands to request their affection. Should anyone pick him up, Ugly would immediately start suckling on a collar or earring or whatever else he might reach...just happy to have someone love on him.

We've all been in Ugly's shoes at one time or another, I suspect. I know I have. We've been shooed away and called names. We've been cast out on our own when all we really wanted was a spot to blend in to the group. We've felt battered and bruised and alone, seeking for any small amount of love and affection to help us feel better. We've very likely all walked a mile in Ugly's paws, so we can relate.

Unfortunately, Ugly's story doesn't end well. You see, he got careless and wandered a little too close to a couple of huskies with ill intentions and they mauled him up like never before. They hurt him terminally. As he laid there bleeding, dying all too slowly, a lady who had heard the commotion came and found him...probably one of the many people who had thrown rocks and sprayed hoses. As she bent down and picked him up to try and care for him, an amazing thing happened. Ugly, you see, had one more moment of love and forgiveness left in him. With a series of wheezes and gasps for breath Ugly bumped her hand, offered a meager purr, and began trying to suckle. He passed a short time later before the lady even had a chance to get inside and attempt to doctor him.

It's easy for us to love the outwardly pretty people and things in life, isn't it? We see a gorgeous sunrise or a beautiful person and it's really easy to admire that beauty. But what about the Ugly's in life? We see a sorry looking, matted cat and we don't want anything to do with it. We see someone who doesn't look the way we think they should look or doesn't "have it together" and we summarily dismiss them. How quickly we forget that we've been Ugly at one time or another and that we're all God's creation and beautiful in His eyes regardless of society's definition.