What can be learned from a cat?

Today was just one of those very ordinary days. It was a good day. Not much stood out to me today except an instance with our cat K.C. (stands for Kitty-Cat... original, I know.). Here is the story...

Our oldest daugter has cat duty. Each morning she is to give food and water to the cats. She does this very faithfully and takes pride in her task. Last night the cats were around their dishes seemingly hungry. Our dog, Tessa, often snacks on their food, so I asked my daughter to give them a little bit to last them until morning. She said to me, "Mom, there is no more food." I went to look and she was right... not one small morsel remained in the storage bucket. The fact that she needs to remind me to get more food before the cats are starving is a subject to be left for another post. The point is, the cats were hungry and they were going to go with out food for about 15-18 more hours. Cruel!?! Maybe. But I wasn't going to change my clothes (out of my jammies) nor my plans for the night or the next morning to go into town and purchase more cat food. They would have to wait!

When the cats realized that food was not to be had indoors they went outside for the night... it's alright, we live in the country:)!! This morning, when I let the dog out, I was greeted by two very hungry cats. I confess I felt sorry for them. So I went to the fridge to try and find adequate feline fare. The only thing I was willing to part with were a few hot dogs. I diced them up (I know, pathetic) and put them out for the cats. Kinder, our young one, was thrilled with the option. He gobbled it right up and thanked me with a loud purrrrrrr! K.C. on the other had turned up his nose at the meal. Smart cat... I guess most of us should turn up our nose at a hot dog... but I digress. Not only was K.C. unimpressed with his choice for breakfast, he was at my heals all morning letting me know about it. I finally picked him up, threw him outside and thought, "don't wait around for me to feed you. You are a cat! Go and catch your own breakfast!". As soon as the thought was out of my head I felt a nudge in my heart from the Lord. I really believe that my next thought came from Him... not inspired, but profound. I thought, "Exactly! You too have every tool needed to feed yourself. Be careful not to depend too much on others to nourish you." Hmmmm! Needless to say, throughout my very ordinary day, I had some extraordinary thoughts...

God's word says in 2 Peter 1:3 "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." Basically, a Christian has all they need to grow and succeed in the spiritual life. We have the Word of God (our knowledge of Him) and the Holy Spirit living in us (His divine power). Now, don't go thinking that I don't value the local church, pastors, teachers, friends or family. They are important to the vitality of our walk with Christ. But, what if we didn't have any of them? What if God called me to a time in my life where I didn't have any of those wonderful things available to me? What would happen to me... would I walk around and meow like K.C. demanding that I be fed? Or, could I simply use the tools that have been given to me as a daughter of the King to be fed and grow. I think that we American believers may find ourselves at times to be a little too dependent on others to give us what we need to grow in our knowledge and understanding of God and in His Wisdom. I know that I have been guilty of that many times.

So, in the middle of a very ordinary day the Lord has blessed me with a profound thought that I believe will stay with me for a good, long while.

Thank you Lord... and, oh, thanks K.C.!

By the way, I bought a large bag of MeowMix tonight. The cats are content:)