I have two cats. A gray one named The Flop, and an orange one named Wicket. I got Flop around Christmas 2003 and Wicket, Thanksgiving 2004. I remember seeing his picture online at the shelter, after browsing through hundreds of kittens. Something about him stood out…and I knew he was the one. We went to the shelter to “meet” him and make sure we connected, and I’ll never forget how, when the lady opened his cage, he literally jumped right into my arms and started nuzzling my face.
Yup, he was the one alright. I took him home and he rode the entire way nuzzled up into my neck, purring like there was no tomorrow.
So, I’ve had Wicket for a little over a year. I don’t let the cats sleep in my room, and every morning without fail, Wicket is waiting for an open the door…just trying to sneak by him and jump on our bed to start his morning affection cuddle. Usually, I’m still asleep but now and then he slips by, barrels across the bedroom and leaps on the bed, motor running and head going straight under my neck.
So, by now you’re wondering…what the heck does this have to do with God? I mean, you did title your post “Cats & Abba”)…Well, this morning was one of those mornings where he snuck in and leaped over the bed, right on top of me…meowing and purring and doing the little nuzzle thing with his head. It kind of struck me today though, that he has ALWAYS done this…it wasn’t the initial high of getting adopted…it’s every morning.
I began to wonder why I am not more like my cat with God. He has given me so much…the necessities, but also a few toy balls, and some cat treats to eat too. He has blessed me so abudantly, but typically in the morning I roll out of bed and complain how bright the sun is (I don’t really like the sun) or how 8am is too early to wake up (knowing how good I have it to be able to come in a little later to the office.)
My cat taught me a lesson today…about gratefulness…and love. Regardless of how many times I’ve shot him with the water gun to stop him from doing something bad…or stepped on his tail (accidentally, of course)…he is always ready to show he loves me at the first possible second in the day.
See…cats aren’t all bad.
Comments
14 responses to “Cats & Abba”
so last night i had the third dream about having a cat in about a month or two. very strange… we had a cat when i was growing up that died about a year ago (very sad). but i haven’t thought about getting one on my own (i’m not home enough to take care of it or litter-train one or that sort of thing, plus i’d worry about scratching damage to my rental). maybe i subconsciously want one. i do like them. oh well…
you met your cat online? now i’ve heard everything. :)
I think if I didn’t have friends who were allergic to cats I would actually consider getting one. Also the kids prefer dogs. I’ll just live vicariously on this one. BTW that is the cutest picture ever of your kitty.
I mom had a cat who went to the bathroom in the toilet…so gross. I’m allergic but i like to look at cats and watch them play. But they give me hives so I can’t have them.
I’m glad your kitty helped you remember to be grateful for the things you have in life. Hope you have a good rest of your week.
that was great. loved it.
love you.
tracy
i don’t have a cat (i do have a dog, however), but your story reminded me of a simlar ‘ah-hah’ moment i had recently.
our daughter is 1.000 miles away at college so our connection nowdays is via cell phone. i LOVE when i hear ‘Lisa’s ring’ or see her picture come up on the screen when she calls. if i see her number under ‘missed calls’ or if we haven’t connected in awhile, i’m so bummed.
the parallel is obvious. Knowing how much i enjoy hearing from her really hit home to me how God must feel when i don’t bother to ‘check in’ and just allow the days to pass without a ‘real’ conversation or acknowledgement of His presence.
Sorry I am a dog person but that is cool that a CAT can teach you a lesson about God :)
i’ve got your one word right here…
Hey anne! Miss you guys in KS…love your story about your cats. I had a similar experience with my dogs recently. I have two big dogs and they couldn’t have more different personalities. reuben (the 105 lb lab) is the most loyal, dopey, dumb dog you’d ever meet. He’s absolutely adorable. Tess (the 50 lb mix) is independent, smart and sometimes princess-ish. Whenever I let them in the house I always wipe their paws. Reuben automatically sits and puts one paw up at a time (like he’s “shaking”) to allow me to wipe off his paw. he then gets up and let’s me do his back paws. this happens without fail, everytime. Tess just stands there and even though I ask her to “shake” and put up her paw I have to grab it myself and it’s as if she’s saying “fine, but if I had any say over this you would NOT be wiping my paws”. It just kind of struck me how God feels when we are obedient to Him. Because whenever reuben puts up his paws it gives me joy to no end to not even have to ask and he just does it. Then today I was wiping paws again, and Tess for the first time put up her paw on her own. That almost meant more than reuben doing it automatically (because, let’s face it, he’s not the sharpest tool in the box :), it was almost out of her character (do animals have character?) but she did it anyway because she knows that’s what I want her to do.
okay, sorry that was so long. I’ve been spending WAY too much time at home with the dogs and no job :)
hey anne…
love the cat story…not much of one for cats, though…
wondering about your dallas plans
if we can’t hook up that’s fine…just didn’t want to miss an opportunity shoudl there be one.
i’ll email my cell#
debbie
oh, and I can’t believe you’re leaving! that’s exciting…have fun on your next adventure!
See…cats aren’t all bad. …. mmm not so sure
no… not matt… keep guessing…
not with THAT attitude… attitude girl.
schaun…