Our cat came into the bathroom and stared up at the slim window. The sun shone through, and I am sure it looked inviting. For one thing, I know that she likes to lounge in windows, despite the fact, or perhaps partly because, it drives my hound dog nuts. For another thing, it's pretty chilly in the house this morning, and I am sure the idea of basking in the warmth of the sun seemed appealing. I saw her flex her muscles, and I knew what was coming, although I did not have time to grab my phone and get the camera going.
Sure enough, she jumped, hit the glass and bounced back onto the floor. At which point she quickly pulled a classic cat move, turning her back on the window, licking her paw, and acting nonchalant, as if to say, I meant to do that, or better yet, you didn't see that. I kept laughing, and received the look. Folks with cats know which look I mean. That superior/evil who do you think you're laughing at, I will kill you in your sleep look.
I would have thought that as dirty as the window is she would have seen the glass. I'm a bit behind on the housework. But no, somehow she missed it. And it made me think how often I have done the same thing. Something looks appealing for one reason or another, and I go for it, only to hit an obstacle that has me bouncing back to the starting point embarrassed. No, seriously I meant to do that. Let's just pretend that never happened. Maybe I should have seen the obstacle. Maybe there was no way to know.
While I am trying to be more like Daddy, I am so very grateful that He is not like me. He doesn't stand by or reach for His camera when He observes me getting ready to do something stupid. He doesn't laugh when I bounce off the glass, nor does he laugh harder when He sees me upset. He is much more loving than I. There is always a warning. Don't do it. Don't jump. The window isn't open. Of course, I don't always listen. I can be like a cat in more ways than one, I guess. Sometimes I think I know better. But when I try anyway, He doesn't laugh, nor does He belittle or berate me.
Sometimes, depending on His will and the situation, He will open the window for me, making it clear that if I had sought His help to start with I wouldn't have bounced off the glass. I did that this morning. After I stopped laughing. I opened the window, picked up the cat and set her in the sill. She immediately jumped down and ran from the room. If she couldn't do it herself, I guess she just didn't want it. So instead of warming in the sun, she is curled up next to a heater that isn't on.
I do that sometimes too. Daddy picks me up, and takes me to the place I need to be for warmth, or peace, or joy or whatever, and I dismiss it, jump down, and go somewhere else. Perhaps it's not as comfortable as I'd like, or thought it would be. Maybe it isn't warming me quickly enough to satisfy my craving for instant gratification. Could it be that I am just in the mood to do it my way on my terms? Nah. For whatever reason, at times I still turn to other things than what Daddy provides to satisfy and sustain. And they work about as well as that heater is warming the cat right now.
Oh Lord, help me not to be like that stupid cat, arrogant and independent. Help me to see and remember that You care for me, and that Your way is better than mine. Help me to accept Your provision and care instead of seeking to do it my way. And help me to see when the window is closed and wait for You to open it or guide me in another way before I leap. Amen.
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