TGIF
Chester is happy.
He is actually more than happy, he seems to be living in some state of feline bliss I’ve never seen before.
He is just full of joy.
It’s annoying as hell.
This was not always the case for Chester…not when I found him.
When I found him he was an anonymous stray plaintively wailing from behind some bushes.
I would set food out for him,but he wouldn’t eat until I left.
He was terrified of people…he was terrified, period.
Over time, I befriended him and he learned to trust.
He learned to allow himself to be petted and cared for.
He learned how to live in acceptance.
Now, he is still loud, but it’s the cat version of the song of the redeemed.
If he can’t be on my lap, he’s laying at my feet, occasionally rolling and stretching and being as happy as if he had good sense.
His life has changed, he has a new master, and he’s very, very, grateful.
Miss Kitty and I wish he’d get over it.
We matured and got over this joy business a long time ago.
We prefer to live quiet lives of slight discontent where the best one can hope for isn’t hoped for anymore.
We vaguely remember what it was like to be strays, but the past is the past.
We consider it our version of joy when we’re not as unhappy as we could be…a tolerable level of unhappiness is the standard now.
Chester’s excitement and extreme gratitude are embarrassing and uncomfortable, especially when he wants us to participate in both with him.
Thankfully, we know that this will pass.
The joy will diminish, the gratitude will fade, and he’ll join us in living in quiet drudgery.
He’ll forget where I found him and where he is now will be considered what he deserves.
It will soon cease to be enough…and he will be as unsatisfied then as he is satisfied now.
It happens to all of us…doesn’t it?
Make your own application…
Sounds like Chester has learned to be a dog. 🙂
He acts like one…which is also annoying. 🙂
Oh Chester! What if he’s always that joyful and content? Oh the horror! ?
Miss Kitty and I may move in the middle of the night if this continues… 🙂
Yes it does happen to all of us. That’s why we have to be reminded to rejoice in the Lord always. if not we become hardened to all the great things God has done for us. We forget where He took us from. Just like Chester. Or maybe it’s something different. Perhaps Chester is basking in the love that’s been shown to him and he feels secure in that love. Whichever it is, it’s another great picture of a true relationship with God. Thanks for another great one, Michael.
Thank you, Cash!
for some reason this reminds me of the scripture that tells us to keep praying 🙂
dunno why …?…
Amen. Wonderful truth! Happy for all and I quite sure that Chester will remember normal cattitude before long….
“Normal cattitude” – I like that! 🙂
Michael, if you move in the middle of the night, Chester may lose faith in the permanence of the newfound love and acceptance – don’t do it. 😉
I find myself echoing your sentiments while I am at work – there are several employees who are “company people”, and feel it their duty to remind the rest of us poor sods just how lucky we are to be included in such an amazing, fun workplace….. while I just go back to the drudgery and count the minutes. But I realize that’s not the same thing, as Chester actually has good reason to be basking in joy.
You’ve done well, Michael. Thanks for sharing these stories.
“The Gospel according to Chester” ?
Owen,
Thanks…my guess is that that these will find their way into another book,but I will hesitate to call it “Gospel”. 🙂
I hope that Chester never forgets. There are some, Michael, who never totally forget their past miseries and who have great joy because they are not experiencing them anymore. Chester suffered much. He loves much. I hope he never forgets.
Ouch!!!