Just to make this clear: I have never really liked cats. In fact, I am quite frankly afraid of their claws. But, the strange thing is that cats seem to like me, seriously like me. We have a kitten, approximately 5 months old, who loves me. She sleeps right next to me in the bed, and every morning (sometimes at 1:30 and other times just before the alarm goes off at 4:50) she wakes me up by walking across my face several times, then putting her nose to my nose and touching my face with her paws. Totally annoying! (And when I tell my husband how annoying it is, he says “She never does that to me.” Really? Seriously! He is the one who actually likes cats.) So, today being Saturday, when I don’t have to get up and go to work, I wanted to sleep a little later. I tried to ignore her. Then, she stands on my chest with her nose in my face and jumps up and down, literally shaking me like a parent would shake a child. How she did that, I do not know. But, I was up at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday morning.
All this to say, there must be some sort of lesson to be learned or truth to be understood. Maybe it is to love those who do not love us. Maybe it is that perseverance pays off. Maybe it is that we learn patience through the annoyances of life.
Matthew 5:43-44 (HCSB)
43 “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
43 “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Truth is, it is much easier to feel affection toward an annoying cat than to people who are mean or hateful to you or your family.
Ephesians 6:17-19 (HCSB)
18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.
18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.
I don’t know from where a cat gets perseverance, but scripture tells us that our perseverance comes from the Spirit of God dwelling in us. Through prayer, He strengthens our ability to persevere.
Colossians 3:12-13 (HCSB)
12 Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.
12 Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.
When we have a complaint against someone, we are to be patient and forgive. God set us an example in this. Our sin is much more grievous to Him than anything another human (or cat) can do to us, yet He loved us enough to die for us. He took our sinfulness away. He cleansed us from the guilt of our sin. His love is unfailing.
The cat shows me unfailing love, no matter how many times I put her down on the floor, she continues to jump back up and put her nose in my face again. We need to love others with that some tenacity.
For all you cat lovers who didn’t hear anything after “I don’t really like cats”, I have grown to be quite fond of this annoying little rascal. When no one is listening, you MIGHT hear me calling her sweet names and telling her how much I love her. Right now, she is sitting in my lap as I type. :-)
No comments:
Post a Comment