Joe came by walking his cat last night, yes walking his cat, a rather large
brown and black striped male named Tiger. As Joe attempted to push Tiger with
the leash, it was really evident that Tiger was in control and doing the
dragging, who was walking who is still under debate. But the first time I met
Tiger, I was warned he is aggressive, and may scratch, and I showed respect,
along with restraint. But as he began to trust me after discounting the dog
smell on me, he began to rub my leg, and let me pet him. And started to purr, a
loud purr, and soon he was on my lap, having his head, then his belly rubbed.
Which amazed Joe, as he won’t even let him do that. But Tiger and I became
friends, and now when he sees me, he will wake from his nap, and run over, and
the games begin. Head, then belly rub, all accompanied by a loud purr. He will
continue until I put him down, and if he isn’t ready to stop, he will jump on my
lap again. All the while the purring continues...
Ever wonder why a cat purrs? Physically I don’t know, but I read once it
means whatever is going on right now I don’t want to ever stop. Pretty accurate
description don’t you think? And having been around cats all my life, have
found once you make a friend with a cat, it is loyal forever. Years ago when we
had a Tigger of our own, she would sit on strangers laps, welcoming them into
the home. And even people who hated cats would like her, as she sat and
purred. After getting over the feet going, and finding out they are happy, not
attacking. Questioning a friend one day while holding Tigger, I asked him why
he didn’t like cats. “Because they don’t listen,” he answered, “just like you”
I answered. It seems you cannot make a cat obey, they have their own free will,
the popular saying “like trying to herd cats” intimates at the impossible. But
really describes us more than we care to admit.
Scripture tells us we are all like sheep that have gone astray, but really
I think we are more like cats. Cats are smart, God has given us a brain,
although for some the last time they visited with it was a while ago. We like to
have our head rubbed, to have our belly patted, to be fussed over, when we want
to. We don’t like to be on a leash, but to go where and when we want. Without
being tied down. We like to make the choices, and when everything is going our
way, we purr, a heavenly purr from inside that tells us “I wish this day, this
ride, this meal, this moment would last forever.” And sometimes get so
concerned over the moment ending we forget about the moment itself. Not sure if
cats do or not. But unlike sheep, cats and us cannot be herded, and anytime
anyone tries to control us we rebel. The purring stops, and our claws come
out...sometimes as a warning, sometimes foregoing any warning, and scratching
out someone’s eyes. So maybe we may be like sheep that have gone astray, but
really we act like cats that aren’t getting their own way.
But unlike cats, we can ask for forgiveness, and Jesus forgives us. But we
have trouble forgiving others, and those we have scratched may not forgive us.
In the answer Jesus gave about how to pray, he replied “to forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.” It starts with us, not the forgiveness
the unsaved ask for, but when we become a Christian, we need to forgive others
to show how God has forgiven us. If we are unwilling to forgive others, a
barrier is formed between us and that other person, but also between us and
God. We cannot think or act like him, or how he wants us to if we harbor hate
or just plain anger towards that person. So Jesus tells us to pray for our
enemies. When is the last time you did that? Not a prayer to have them get hit
by a bus, or beat with a Jesus stick, but for their salvation? Do we forgive
others as we forgive ourselves? Jesus also said that no man can hate himself
and love his brother. Is forgiveness keeping you from purring? Are your claws
out to attack, or to show affection?
So maybe we are more like cats, reminding ourselves that cats are cool. A
dog will cower, but forgive and come back. Cats won’t, it seems they remember
better, like us. Maybe we need to forgive more like dogs, but stay cool like
cats. You can herd sheep, you can walk a dog, but you cannot a cat. But only
Jesus forgives, and once forgiven, we need to forgive others too. If we truly
would like to purr like a cat, we need the peace that comes via the holy spirit,
a peace that goes beyond conditions, finances, feelings, and emotions. It comes
from inside and is evident on the outside, and if we withhold forgiveness, we
are robbing others of the grace of God that shines through us. If only we
remember the huge amount of sins Jesus forgave us for, maybe then we could
better forgive those slight sins of who sin against us. And keep our claws
where they belong.
He who has sinned much has also been forgiven much. What beautiful words
to hear, “go and sin no more, your sins have been forgiven.” Remember that next
time someone rubs up against you, or wants to sit on your lap when you are
reading. Or wants to eat just when you sit down to. Are we nicer to our pets
than our fellow Christians? How does Jesus react to us when we go against him?
When we disobey, or interrupt? And how does he react when we ask forgiveness?
Sheep are stupid, and have no defense mechanisms, they rely solely on the
shepherd to lead them. Cats cannot be herded....do we call him Lord but do not
do the things he says? One attempt at pushing a cat on a leash, or trying to
herd one should be enough to remind us of how we have gone astray. We were all
stray cats once, only in Christ do we find a home. And someone who loves and
forgives us. And that is what makes cats and Christians purr. Jesus in our
lives, the same yesterday, today, and forever. And why you never stroke a cat
the wrong way. Git along little doggie, but never a cat....and a wacka wacka
good night to you.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com