We were gathered on the patio that summer evening enjoying the sunset, while the cats explored the safe, fenced-in yard. Missy was gracefully leaping, turning and running. Some bug was in big trouble, we thought.
As she sat playing with something, Jen went to investigate, then shouted, “Come look!”
Missy had caught a baby rodent. The poor thing lay twitching, barely alive.
I know that it is the nature of cats to catch and kill small animals, but I see no reason why it should be encouraged. So my son scooped up our huntress and carried her, kicking and screaming, into the house, explaining things to her as he went.
“You live in a house and eat kibble. Remember that!” he said.
Archie, who had missed all the excitement, came at our call. We were through for the night.
But Missy wasn’t through. Plaintive and demanding, she begged to be allowed to return to her game. The answer was “no.”
She tried irresistible cuteness: rolling onto her back by the door and waving four paws in the air. I was amused, but the answer was still “no.”
Then standing on her hind legs, she batted at the doorknob. We could see her thinking, “I should be able to do this.”
But, of course, she couldn’t.
Finally, she appealed to a higher court: she pleaded with Barry. The answer remained unchanged.
And now she became mournful. The message had gotten through: “you will not be allowed to do this thing that you wish to do for reasons that you don’t understand.” All that was left was to accept that the humans have the power and authority to make it so. And small cats can do nothing but bow to their will.
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Lord, I don’t understand either! Why does something I want get a big “No” from You? I protest: I WILL! I WILL! Don’t stop me!
Yet in Your grace, You do stop me, removing me, kicking and screaming, from the source of the temptation that my sin-bent nature and selfish viewpoint thought was a great idea.
With time, I usually realize what my cat doesn’t: You are not punishing me. You are protecting me. You are concerned with safety and holiness more than with my pleasure.
Oh, Lord, I do trust You. Grant me the wisdom to accept and obey. Amen