Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Luke 12:22-23 (NIV)
With all our problems as new cat-owners, food and feeding became obsessively important. Were the kittens getting enough to eat? Was it the right kind of food? Was it contributing to their problems? In the attempt to control the diarrhea, we tried all different brands of cat food. Of course, now we know that nothing helped because we were approaching the problem from the wrong perspective.
Yet with all the love and nurture in my maternal soul, I longed to give my kitties the best, including food. We began with only dry food, as recommended by all the books. But it was not long before I was flirting with the cute little cans of kitten food in the supermarket. Would my cats like it? I bought some and tried it: and discovered that yes, they would!
The first time I offered them canned food, the cats were excited and intrigued. Having raised two children, I had carefully divided the portion onto two paper plates so that there would be no quarreling. Both cats attacked the offering with gusto, though each kept a wary eye on the other. I could see them wondering if what the other had was different, or, horrors!, even better. So I was more amused than surprised when, halfway through the meal, as though at some hidden signal, the cats switched placed and finished each other’s dinner!
When I receive a blessing, do I on my neighbor spy,
With covetous suspicion, worry he has more than I?
With a deep dissatisfaction do I want another’s “bowl,”
Forgetting all the benefits God’s lavished on my soul?
But different is not better when the giver is the Lord.
He accurately matches each one with the right award.
And I’ve received so very much I should be grateful for.
Can I enjoy new blessings if I lust for something more?