Usually our cats are outside cats. They may come in for the occasional walk through the house with the special treat being a drink from the toilet, but for the most part they start outside exercising their dominion over the yard, the grass, and the small rodents and rabbits. However, during these extremely cold nights the past few weeks they have been coming in side more often.
One of these guys – “Bruce” as we call him, seems to not be very appreciative of this. He comes in, eats, drinks, runs to the basement door, meows and runs down stairs. If you pet him, or pick him up, he is noticeable tense and always ready to be placed back down on the ground. We had another kitty, “Dennis”, a few years ago that was exactly like that. When we brought him home as a kitten, he immediately started hissing at us. I think in the time we “owned” Dennis, I can count all the times I held him on both hands. And most of those were carefully crafted sneak up attacks while he was asleep, so that I could check him over for ticks, scratches, etc. Dennis, always come around for food and shelter, but immediately high tailed it when it came to social activities – until he was sick, well, even then he tried to run, but he was so sick he could not. Despite Dennis’ apparent usage of us, it was still a sad day when we had to put him down. Little Bruce is not as extreme as Dennis, but he is still not one who really cares for much time with his owner.
The shame about this is that in contrast to our other cats over time – esp “Stanley” and our other current cat “Todd”. Both of these cats would meet me at the end of the driveway when I returned from a run. They beg for attention, they jump up in your lap, they sneak around and although they are outside kitties, they still find ways to end up in your bed at night. The contrast is really amazing.
So, with these cold nights, and watching the interacts of Todd and Dennis around the house, I can’t help but make a comparative analysis to how we our with God. We find ourselves like Dennis, always around for food and shelter, sometimes begrudgingly around in times of trouble, but for the most part independent. However, when we are that way, we miss out of the best parts. We miss out on sleeping in the bed with the Master. We miss out on the closeness and comfort and peace that He provides.
Don’t do it all alone, reach out for God. Meet him at the driveway, find ways to draw close to him, and then watch what happens…
8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded (James 4:8 (New International Version)
7-10So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet. (James 4:8, The Message)