No?

“Zoey! No! NO!” My voice was deep, loud, and sharp with urgency.

Immediately I had everyone’s attention. Jenna turned to see what was going on. Hunter ran to watch the “good” cat get in trouble. And Zoey looked at me with surprised interest, before going back to biting the lights on the Christmas tree.

Again, “Zoey! No!”

Jenna picked up a cat toy to distract her, and it worked – for a minute. But Zoey, like me, doesn’t stay distracted. She does, though, eventually listen. When she finally came out from under the tree, I made sure to pet her and tell her that I love her very much, that she wasn’t in trouble, but she was making a bad choice and would not have liked the consequences of her actions. I don’t know if she believed me but she stayed out from under the tree from then on, perhaps to avoid temptation. (And Christmas went back in the box early.)

**********

“Pam, no.” God’s voice is not sharp or angry, but very firm. Yet when circumstances hem me in on all sides, it’s hard not to think that I’m in trouble. I look for a fault, hoping to open the way, through repentance, to proceed as I wanted.

But it’s not always repentance that is called for, but obedience.

I need to change my thinking. Maybe, instead of fearing punishment, I’ll remember that I’m lovingly protected. (Am I in danger of “biting the lights?”) It could be wise guidance. (Am I in a place of temptation?)

Or maybe, there is a new opportunity I am in danger of missing because I’m looking at the wrong things. (Is God offering a new focus for me?)

Whatever the reason behind God’s “No,” this year I am going to try to remember that amazingly He cares for me infinitely more and better than I care for my cat. I’m okay with that.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Eternal, “plans for peace, not evil, to give you a future and hope—never forget that. Jeremiah 29:11 The Voice (VOICE)

Each time we cooperate with God, we take one more giant step forward. Because when God asks us to change, it means that He always has something better to give us – more freedom, greater joy, and greater blessings. – Joyce Meyer