I have learned more spiritual principles from my cats than I am comfortable with. Naming three whiskered faces as my source of learning is always a little embarrassing, as I don’t want to become known as the cat lady but darn it, I have to share! I can’t believe how many things God has revealed to me through their behavior and our interactions. They act so often as I do toward God that it astounds me.
Here is something God showed me through them today. They come to me in the morning. They know I’m up the moment I open my eyes, and they come sauntering up to greet me. They walk from the end of the bed to the top, or they come walking in from the kitchen, the couch, from prowling for things to catch or heaven forbid straight from their litter box to my clean bed. They come close so that I can reach them. They want to be petted and spoken to. They may sit close, walk all over me or even sit at arm’s reach so that I can barely pet them, but there they are. In my presence.
These cats paint a picture of what I do in the morning! I wake up and remember there is a God and that He will be happy to see me. Sometimes I am already close to Him because I read scripture last night in bed or prayed as I fell asleep. Some mornings I am affectionate and vocal, another morning I bring my anxiety, and walk back and forth in His presence, just needing to be close. He soothes me and calls me His child.
I may bring my litter-covered hands and feet. The litter that I try to use to cover my you know what, but it doesn’t fool him. I may have spent the last day trying to ignore and hide my mistakes because I’m too proud to go to him, too proud to even see the way out. I can take care of it, it’s not that bad! Maybe no one will notice, and sin won’t corrupt me this time. But my Father knows the scent of sin and deceit and He washes me all over again if I let Him.
Then there are the other mornings when no cats show up to greet me. I lay in my bed and know I’m missing something. This is the only morning that I cannot allow. Obviously, I can allow my Pumpkin, Rocky, and Luna to ignore me and forget that I love them, chose them, and care for all their needs. I cannot allow myself to take the morning off from the Creator of the Universe. No matter what state I am in, or what is going on around me, there is no morning that is better without Him. No day that runs more smoothly. An opportunity missed is more than that moment missed. When I don’t go to Him in the new day I miss the chance to show Him He is my priority, the ability to see and hear Him more clearly. His mercies are new every morning, and I am in constant need!
He is my strength, my laughter, my focus, my everything. If I am in a terrible rush, then I need to turn on worship music in the car to focus on Him. I need to learn to fix breakfast with Him, change diapers with Him, grocery shop, work, and walk. I can’t miss the opportunity to be with Papa God in His big soft bed and just rest for a moment. Then I can face the day as his child and very little else.
Listen to my words, Lord,
consider my lament.
2 Hear my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.
4 For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
with you, evil people are not welcome.
5 The arrogant cannot stand
in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong;
6 you destroy those who tell lies.
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
you, Lord, detest.
7 But I, by your great love,
can come into your house;
in reverence I bow down
toward your holy temple.
(Psalm 5:1-7)