TGIF
Chester…is a difficult pet.
This cat wasn’t raised right.
First off, he is a glutton.
He eats 4x what Miss Kitty does, then he tries to eat her food.
He then goes about the neighborhood trying to steal other cats food.
He occasionally takes it with violence.
Second, he is a sloppy glutton.
He tears into every meal as if he didn’t just eat fifteen minutes ago, clumsily depositing food all over the floor and himself.
I then step in chicken pate on my way to the bathroom at night…
Third, he is loud and whiney…everything in Chester’s world (like waiting for breakfast) is a crisis that can only be met by mournfully howling the song of his people.
This, at 4:30 am.
Most pets exchange their affection and companionship for the care they receive.
Chester is suspicious of real affection and when he is affectionate it often seems like manipulation…for more food.
He is, as I said, a difficult pet.
I recited all of this to a friend who had a simple solution.
Get rid of him.
Never!
Once you adopt a pet that pet is yours to care for,you have chosen that responsibility and you will finish what you chose to start.
Chester will live out his days with me and he will be loved and cared for just as I love and care for Miss Kitty who is lovely in all her ways.
You know where I’m going with this…
I don’t know about you,but I’m one of God’s difficult children.
My habits are often not the habits of His kingdom.
I usually approach the throne because I want something and I do so in feigned affection.
I get loud and whiney when the blessing is late.
I’ve never heard Him discuss getting rid of me.
I never will.
Neither will you.
We’ve been adopted.
Adoption is for forever.
Make your own application…
You forgot he likes to make guest appearances on podcasts 🙂
Yes, he does…he wants to hog the mic too… 🙂
Thank you for the laugh, the hope and the happy tear.
This reminds me of Brennan Manning talking about crawling up in Abba’s lap. Good stuff, Michael.
And now I’m going to listen to Brennan.
Thank you, Joel and Josh…
Our Lord has so much grace for those of us who have difficult personalities.Maybe you should have Chester checked for worms.
The Dude,
I probably should get myself checked at the same time… 🙂
Oddest thing just happened. I went to youtube and brought up the first random Brennan Manning sermon I saw. Within the first ten seconds, he’s telling a story about Medford, Or.
I can only say I never saw Michael and Brennan in the same room…
Josh,
🙂
Chester has not yet been regenerated – know them by their fruits – his fruit proves he’s still nothing but an alley cat. Keep working on him. Sounds like you have a lamb and a kid goat. But Chester can still be transformed into a lamb if he finally accepts the love he is being offered. – My application.
Ms. ODM,
He’s regenerate…I baptized him. 🙂
Chester needs to know that you love him as he is, not as he should be.
Continuing my Brennan Manning theme 🙂
Josh,
I do…even as I scrape the cat food off my foot…
The Brennan Manning theme is always worth pursuing.
Great Friday post Michael 🙂
Thank you, Francisco!
Cats will be cats….. Glad you baptized dear Chester…. some of us sinners are hard core set in our sinful ways….. somehow God changes us….
Remember; Dogs have owners. Cats have staff.
mournfully howling the song of his people.<<<
O, this is perfect.
Thank you.
🙂
I think that Chester and me might be kin.
Under Roman law, adopted children had greater and more secure legal protections than begotten children. For God to use that wording to describe us is amazing.
With as much as he eats, have you had him checked for parasites and worms?
I have a feeling that the application Michael has graciously laid our for us has very little to do with Chester needing to go to the Vet.
Oh come on covered. I get it, but his cat eats too much 😉
My wife says the same thing about me 🙂