Last Friday I shared with you three spiritual truths I learned from my puppy dog, Mollie. If you missed that post, you can go here.
Today, I’d like you to meet Spot, the Wonder Cat.
Spot decided to adopt us 19 years ago when he hopped our fence and marched up to our then dog, Tasha and settled in. Spot was already a grown-up kitty by then, which makes him at least 20 years old. In cat years, that means he’s, let’s see: 13 + 8, carry the 2, minus 4, multiplied by …well, let’s just say he’s “really old.”
If you’re a dog person, maybe you don’t care much about cats. But Spot isn’t a regular cat. This is the guy who our daughter dressed up in doll clothes and stuck in her stroller. He then sat purring happily as she drove the stroller down the stairs, one bump at a time.
This is the cat who battled the electric kitty litter box, lying in wait, pouncing as it sat unexpectedly ready to do its clean-up thing, until we finally vanquished the entire electronic experiment as a bad idea.
This is the cat who chases Mollie around the backyard and wins. Even at his ripe old age.
This is the cat who curls up in dish pans so we can call him, “the cat in the bucket.”
And sits on our towels to make sure they don’t wrinkle.
and
Spot is such a part of the family that even Mollie the puppy—or maybe especially Mollie the puppy—will be heartbroken when he’s gone.
So what sort of spiritual truths could I possibly have learned from Spot, the Wonder Cat? Here are three.
- Spot’s cat eyes have irises that focus upward and downward. He is not distracted by what’s going on to either side of him.
I too should focus toward heaven. I should keep my eyes on God. And I should also watch my steps to make sure I’m following Jesus.
Matthew 4:19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said…
- Spot knows how to be still and listen. Unlike puppies who are always ready to play; my cat knows how to just sit. Puppy dog still has to master that skill. Kitty’s ears never stop turning in all directions. He’s listening and paying attention to what’s going on, but his body remains still and he waits.
Like Spot, I need to tune my ears to God. And then wait. I need to be still so I can hear when God speaks.
1 Samuel 3:10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
- Spot knows how to rest. I’m not talking about sleep. Dogs have that perfected. Rather, I’m talking about rest. Spot can sit on my lap so long that I can barely move my legs when I get up. And all the while he’s resting, he’s also purring.
I need to remember that one of God’s commands is to take one day in seven as a Sabbath. So should I. And while I’m at it, I should be singing praises to God in gratitude.
Matthew 11:28 Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the examples of spiritual truths we find in the world around us. Help us see more of your truth in unexpected places. Thank you for the critters you created who bring us such joy. Amen.
WHAT ABOUT YOU? Do you have a spiritual kitty? What lessons have you learned from him?
6 comments:
keeping back the tears and bringing forth the smiles as I read this post....It brings to my mind many things about my cats present and in the past....I love your three points...they really make sense...as they pertain to a cat and how they pertain to me....Look upward, be still and listen, and being at rest...now, I just have to work on the purring......purrrrrrrrrrrrrr=]
@Paula - you are a sweetie! We purr when we're around you.
I'm a cat person. Not so much a dog person. My cat, Michael, never gives up looking for that next morsel of food. His whole life is focused on eating. We've had to buy an auto-feeding so that we can control how much he eats because he doesn't have the good sense to self-discipline himself when it comes to food----(hmmmmm, will sometimes, neither do I.) I have had to step in and be his discipline for his own health and well-being. There is a spiritual lesson in that, so I think I'll look upward, be still and listen and think about how my heavenly Father disciplines me in answer to my prayers for guidance and a closer walk with Him.
@Pam - what? He doesn't have the sense to self-discipline himself? Yes, there is definately a spiritual lesson there!
Thank you carol for this insight. Never really thought how we look after animals could be so applicable to us and then from a spiritual point of view how God can teach us through the care that we give them. But when I think about it Adams work while in the garden had to take care of these animals too. Thank you for your enlightenment. Ruthie.
@Ruthie - I can only imagine all the insights Adam had! Awesome point.
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