Some things just seem to go with the territory, and being the only grandson
often meant rewards. But on one afternoon, I paid the price for disobedience.
I had been told by my Grandma that if you ever see Murphy’s tail wagging, don’t
mess with him. Murphy was their cat, who spent most of his time alone, and ran
the house, all good cats do. But when I saw him, I just had to pet him, surely
he wouldn’t hit me. But as I stroked his back, it went up and a big, black paw
came out, catching me across the hand, causing it to bleed. So trying to hide
my injury, I went upstairs, but my Grandma had heard the whole thing. Then
seeing the tears, and the scratches, rather than getting sympathy, I was simply
told, “you were told not to touch the cat when his tail was wagging.” And out
came the mercurochrome-the universal, healing, germ killing, pain inflicting
remedy. Many trips to the doctor had been averted due to this red liquid, and
again I was saved. But not from being busted, and would wear the scars for
years. To Murphy, it was just another day in the basement, no sympathy from
him. And I had found a new respect for petting an annoyed cat. And about
warnings.
After the goldfish in the aquarium fad ended, with all the fish dying, a
new fad came along. newts, those cute little lizards that could magically
change color and hide, were the in thing. And having an available aquarium,
turned it into a terrarium, a home for newts. With Norton the newt, we
anxiously waited for him to turn colors, yet never did. But we also found
Norton to be a girl, and soon we had a newt colony. A family of newts in a one
bedroom terrarium. And as our reptile attraction grew, I brought home a huge
toad, but where to put him. Not knowing about the wild animal kingdom, he took
up residence with the Norton family, for a few days. When we got back after a
weekend away, only the toad was left in the terrarium-it had been turned into a
terrorarium! The toad had feasted on all the newts, and gotten huge. Not
knowing their affinity for newts, we had sentenced the Nortons to a
cannibalistic death. And the toad went back to the pond-the terrorararium back
on the shelf. And never mentioned again. Except to warn other newt
owners.
How many times did Ralphie hear “you’ll shoot your eye out,” and then think
he did. The warnings were there, mort to protect than rob him of any fun, but
they were real. For just as cats scratch, and toads eat newts, icicles can fall
from houses and take out your glasses. I am sure he had a new respect for his
Red Ryder Rifle after that, just as I did for Murphy’s claws, and newts did for
Mr. Toad. Yet so many times we hear the warnings, and ignore them. Those of us
who were victims must have done something wrong, but it will never happen to
anyone else. Not to me! Which is a psychological term called normalcy bias-in
other words because it has never happened, or I didn’t see it, it cannot be
true. And many live their lives that way, some even denying the threats when
they are most evident. But in our 20/20 hindsight we can always look back and
see they were there, just ignored. In Jewish history, the Jews were referred to
as a stiff necked people-stubborn. And many who turned to Christ, still went
about their old life styles. And soon some religious types came up with their
own rules, telling those caught in sin after salvation, they were going to
hell. You blew it, and now God will get you. Never taking into account God
telling them that their sin caught them, not God. And that forgiveness is one
time-forever. Past, right now, and again tomorrow. God knows we live in a
fallen world, and is there to catch us when we fall, not punish us. So when
Paul addressed the Corinthian church, he encouraged them, rather than attacking
them. He warned them that sin will hurt, maybe even kill, but God forgives. He
told them to turn back to their first love, Jesus, and get on with life. Quit
now-and go on. Not quit now or you’ll die. He offered forgiveness rather than
retribution. Just as Jesus does.
Screwed up again today? Don’t worry, it is still early. But if you have,
Jesus is up earlier, and already forgiven you. Get over it, change your
direction, and follow Him. Like He says, “pick up your cross and follow me.”
Unclench your fist, and open your heart to Him. And as we get closer to Him, we
look at sin, and sinners differently. And we forgive, as He forgives us-for
everything. But He also expects us to learn from our lessons, thee hardest ones
are the toughest ones. Don’t pet the cat, don’t put the toad in with newts, and
be careful with guns. You may only get a scratch, but some 50 years later I can
still remember Murphy’s claws. I remember coming home to a newtless
terrorarium. And we all will remember Ralphie, and the best Christmas ever.
Love covers a multitude of sins, let the covers stay on. No need to go back,
look ahead. Look up, and then follow the lead of Jesus. Sin, like stupid
hurts. It is supposed to so we don’t do it again. So learn from Paul’s letter
to Corinth-they never did. Heed the warnings, better safe than sorry. Just ask
the newt family. Be thankful God is patient, and your sin hasn’t caught you
yet. don’t turn, and it will. But when you do-it is forgiven. Erased from
God’s memory. And you can start over each morning with new blessings and
mercies.
The more pain the better the lesson learned. So learn from Jesus-who
endured all our pain on the cross. And be like a cat. When one gets burned on
a hot stove, all the others avoid it. The warnings are there, but so are the
blessings. It is your choice. Stupid still hurts. No need to remind me
today. “O-o-o—h-h fudge!”
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com