One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must keep praying until the answer comes. Luke 18:1 Living Bible
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Right after Christmas my cat, Hunter, began crying outside my bedroom door at 5:30 every morning. No matter how often I mumble, “Let me sleep,” he resumes “asking” after a few minutes. He is so persistently loud I finally get up and let him in.
First, he patrols the room, then heads to the bathroom to drink the water trickling to prevent frozen pipes. I can go back to sleep. But then he wants a snuggle. He wants to sit on my chest, purring loudly and licking my neck. He wants my arms around him.
Weird cat. But by then it’s time to get up and let the day officially begin.
Last night, though, he began at 2:30, keeping it up, almost constantly, until 6:30. There was no quality sleep to be had, even after I let him in.
I do not enjoy any of this. I don’t like the crying, demanding and persistence. I don’t like being angry at my unhappy cat. And I don’t like feeling mean.
Then I wondered, how does Hunter see it? Does he hate a closed door? Is he lonely, or worried about me? Does he think I’m lonely? Who knows? You have to admire his singlemindedness, and I would, if I weren’t so tired. Cat experts say that unwanted behaviors mustn’t be rewarded. But what can you do when all he wants is me?
Finally, I thought: what is God showing me?
- God never sleeps. He is always available to me.
- God never turns His back or closes the door.
- God loves me more than I love my cat and is always working for my good and His glory.
Too bad for Hunter that I am not more like God. But maybe I could be a better cat mom.
I have no idea what tonight will bring. But as I was writing, I turned the page on my Tim Botts daily calendar and saw this:
And wondered: what would happen if I kept praying until the answers come?
I’m going to find out.
