Talking cats and what we can learn from them

I have a cat.

Well, four cats, but I only want to talk about one of them today.

Because he is the one that every morning speaks to me about Jesus.

I used to think he (the cat, not Jesus) was a pain in the neck.

But not anymore.

Let me tell you why...

Like most of you, I had established a morning ritual of what, at its best, could be called "Devotion Time."

I like that phrase...it lends an air of credibility to my attempts to draw close to God.

I knew what Devotion Time should be, but that's not always what I did.

What I did do was a little of this, a little of that...always accompanied by a strong mug of coffee...

Some Bible...

Some inspirational reading...

Some meditation...

Some prayer...

Some sitting-and-staring-out-the-window.

Everyday it was different, a jumble of whatever I felt like doing that day.

I feared I would fail the "what-a-spiritual-person's-Devotional-Time-looks-like" test.

And for the longest time I struggled with that.

So, I would gird up my loins and try harder. (See, even I can talk the talk!)

Until that day my cat talked to me, 

And I finally understood.

And this is what he said...

"I adore you. I live for our time together. There is nothing more precious to Me than being with you."

"Really?" you say, with uplifted brow.

"Seriously" I say. 

"And how did he say this?" 

Ready?

Every morning, without fail, this cat throws himself at my feet, and in complete and utter adoration rubs his head against them, and would surely hug them if he could!

Then, when he is finished, he rests his head on my feet and falls asleep, literally with a smile on his face.

At first I thought it was ridiculous and I would push him away...

Irritated that he was being a distraction...

A nuisance.

Until the day the Lord opened my eyes to what He was trying to say through this crazy cat...

That this is what "Devotion Time" looks like.

Not a list of rules, and have-to's, and should's.

But rather complete abandonment and joy in the presence of the One Who is my Life.

You see, I am a "Rescue Human".

Like this cat, which we rescued from a certain death,

I, too, was lost once...alone...

Without hope or a future in a world that would surely destroy me.

But then Jesus adopted me...

And made me His own...

His beloved one...

Cherished and valuable.

And like this cat, I now I have a forever Home,

And all the riches and blessings that come from being His daughter.

And this makes me want to fall at His feet and adore Him, let Him know how much I love Him...

Just like my cat does to me.

Pretty cool lesson, huh?

So now, some mornings, I just sit there...

And let the cat do his thing...

While I talk, and worship, and share my heart with my precious Savior.

No guilt. Just lots of love.

I like this much better.