Cat Armor

Have you ever considered that a cat is fully capable of fending for itself?  Even that big lazy cat on your couch is armed with incredible sharp claws, finely honed teeth, reflexes like a ninja, a nose that can smell even the faintest of tuna a mile away, and ears.

She doesn't fit!

I love to watch my cat's ears.  The move independent of each other.  One goes this way, the other stands straight.  What is she listening to?  Can she hear the spider scampering across the kitchen floor?  Can she hear the dog sneaking into her food dish?  She can hear so much that I'm not aware of.  That's a story for another time.

She is beautifully designed to do exactly what she is supposed to do.  She's been given all the tools she needs to protect herself.  She lives in a great big box, our house.  She is sheltered within these walls and she knows it.

So our air conditioner quit working this morning.  After our rain last evening, the morning was cooler outside than inside.  Oh, this heat is taking it's toll.  So, in an effort to cool the house, we opened the front door and the back screen.  And, our wonderfully designed cat freaked out.

She watched the front door with great care.  She ventured toward it but far enough away to run if she needed to.  Yes, that's right - RUN.  She's nothing but a big ol' fraidy cat.  She was on super alert but wasn't willing to venture close to the open door.  Perhaps it would help you to understand that she used to be an indoor-outdoor kitty.  She even caught a squirrel.  She used to be a great hunter and might spend several days roaming her territory.  But, something got a hold on her and she's not been interested in going outside for several years now.

How about you?  Are you a spiritual fraidy cat?  God asks you to put on the whole armor and be prepared.  Are you?  Or, do you run and hide when called to take a stand?

Longing

It started as a bump and commotion from the dining room window.  Our cat had tried to go through the window after something.  I got up to check on her and she was intently watching the small wood pile on the patio.  She was transfixed.  "Uh-oh," I thought.

So, my son and I let her out the back door and over to the pile she scampers.  She sniffs delicately around and around.  She knows something is in there.  My mind was racing.  "I hope it's not a snake.  I don't think I'd like that much," ran swiftly across my brain.  Then, I saw it - a little bitty mouse.  Relief flooded my muscles.

We moved the wood back and forth until she saw and pounced.  Our fat, nine-year old cat caught that mouse.  And, dropped it.  It took off!  (DUH!)  We rousted it out from under the wheel barrow and she was on top of it again.  She caught it, threw it, and caught it again.  Our cat was having a moment.  Finally, the poor mouse was dead and she finished her tiny meal.

Today, I find myself longing for the day when the cat and mouse will have a salad together.  I grieve over the effects that our sin has on this natural world.  My cat wasn't created to eat mice.  She was created for the honor and glory of the Creator.  How do I know this?  "...All things were created by Him and for Him."  (Col. 1:16)  Does the Bible tell me that the cat and mouse will have a salad together?  Not in those words.  Isaiah prophesied of the time when the leopard will sleep with the baby goat and lions will eat hay.  (11:6, 65:25) This coming time of peace has no hurt or destruction.  YEA!  Oh, that's what I'm longing for!!!

(Father God, how marvelous are your works!  How awesome are your ways!  How high are your thoughts!  I praise you!  I praise your name.  Thank you for the promise of coming peace.  Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!  This I pray in your holy name, Amen.)

Cat Hair in the Escape

Yesterday after a wonderful lunch with my husband, we were sitting in our vehicle, a Ford Escape, talking. As we were discussing things, my eyes took in the grit and grime that had collected in the console. So, I started cleaning.

Our conversation turned to the cleaning and how quickly things get dirty. My husband commented that the vehicle needed to be washed, vacuumed, waxed, etc. It was then that I noticed the cat hair.

Our cat is an indoor cat. She hasn't always been an indoor cat. She used to spend as much time outside as she did inside. Several years ago during the summer, she decided that it was much safer and comfortable to stay inside. It's not much safer or comfortable for us humans living inside because that cat still has her claws and she won't stay still long enough to for us to clip them. The last time her claws were clipped we had to sedate her. That should give you some idea as to her personality. She loves on her terms, not yours.

She has never been in the Escape. She does not ride well. I think she isn't in control so she doesn't like it. Yet, her hair is tucked in nooks and cranny's of the Escape. It is under the seat, on the seat, in the carpet, on the dash, on the window, and working it's way in the glove box.

Isn't that a lot like sin? The evidence of it is everywhere. Even if my sin does not take place in one particular area, the evidence of it is still there in other areas - just like the cat hair from the cat that has never been in the Escape. Now, think about this. It travels far. Our Escape takes us on trips hundreds of miles from our cat.

Where have you left small evidences of sin? Did you leave it at the grocery store when you were frustrated with how slow the line was moving? Did you leave it with your child as you sent him off to school with negative words ringing in his ears? Did you leave it on your husband as you silently let him know that he forgot to take out the trash?

(Father God, please forgive me for not noticing how far the evidence of my sin has spread. Help me to clean up the sin and remove it from my life. Thank you for the wonderful cat that you created to help me learn more about You and your ways. You are an awesome God. May you be honored by this today, in the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Farewell, Trace

Yesterday we had to say good bye to our cat, Trace. This adorable little cat came into our lives about 6 years ago. She had the sweetest disposition of any cat I have ever known. She was a little heater while curled up next to you or in your lap. She was most talkative early in the morning.

She was a gentle cat. She never attacked anything other than a pecan. She would bat that pecan all around the house. We found it in some interesting places.

She chose my daughter as her caregiver. She slept with my daughter. Oh, she'd let others feed her and pet her but my daughter belonged to her.

Trace will be missed. Yet, I thank God that He allowed us the time with her. No, we don't know what happened. She got ill quickly. The Vet indicated it might have been a brain issue, tumor or injury. Reflection leads us to believe that she probably had a tumor.

Our hearts are heavy and tears come easily. But, we are comforted by the One who created her and sustained her. How much more we are loved by Him.

(Father God, thank you for Trace. She reflected the awesome design that You put into each of Your creatures. She enriched our lives and reminded us of You continually. Thank You for holding our hearts in Your hands as we grieve. Thank You for loving us. In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.)

Itty Bitty Bunny

I have an itty bitty bunny living on my back porch. Now, I live in a non wild area. Yes, there's some trees and stuff around but there's not a whole lot of places this bunny could have come from. And finally, today, my cat saw the bunny from the kitchen window. I'm not letting that cat out today. No way.

I'm always awed by God's provision for even the least of His creation. I love seeing this little bunny as it ventures out to get food and water. It's quite a treat to see.

Now, I'm amused by my cat as she is intently watching this little bunny. She wants out there very much. But, I'm protecting that itty bitty bunny. My husband said to me, "God will provide for that bunny." And I told him, "Yes, and He's gonna use me to do it."

That little bunny is teasing my cat. He's just sitting there watching the cat. The cat is pacing in the window, breathing hard, whipping her tail around. Okay, maybe that shouldn't be funny but it is.

Itty Bitty has gone into hiding. The cat's still looking for it, though.

Luke 12:6-8

6) Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7) But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. 8) Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

(Father God, thank you for the reminder of your daily provision and care for even me. Thank you for using an itty bitty bunny for that purpose. Please use me as a vessel to care for your creation. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

New Academic Year and Cats

Each time a new Academic Year begins, I get tired. Not just a little tired, but exhausted. There are so many things to do, so many things to pay for, so many things to forget, so many things.

But, there's also an excitement that is contagious. Suddenly, this flurry of activity spurs new ideas and adventures. Everywhere but with the cats.

We are greeted as we come in the door at the end of the day. First there is the "I am so glad to see you," meow. Then comes an exasperated, "Why did you leave me alone all day?" meow. "Why weren't you here to feed me when I wanted?" seems to be the cry. And, "Why didn't you come home just to pet me?" rises from around my feet as I try to unload groceries. "Don't I deserve a treat today?" says the pretty kitty as we peer in the refridgerator together.

"Pet me!" "Feed me!" "Brush me!" "Love me!" "Care for me!"

I wonder how many times I sound like that to my Heavenly Father? He has consistently done each of those things time and time again. Everytime I seek Him during the day, He's right there. He smooths the fur ruffled by the world. He feeds the empty spirit with His Word. He brushes away the tangles of sin. He loves and cares for me far better that I can care for my cats. I know that the companionship with my cats is only a small reflection of the companionship that He offers. You see, at the end of the day, I get to crawl up in His lap, make myself comfortable, and purr.