TGIF
Miss Kitty hasn’t been feeling well.
Because cats can’t tell you they have an upset stomach or a toothache,the only way you know they have a problem is by changes in their behavior.
Missy stopped eating and drinking…and stopped hanging out with me.
In fact, she runs from me and hides.
This is definitely a change in behavior from a cat who if I leave overnight has been known to sit on the end of the driveway until I return.
When she’s well, she waits at that spot on the driveway everyday, then trots next to me into the house for dinner.
She has slept next to me every night for years and served as my alarm clock for 5:00 AM feedings.
She comes in rarely now…she comes in and eats a little, then I try to get some antibiotics in her, then she runs back into hiding.
It’s heartbreaking…I miss my friend.
It’s heartbreaking…that she would think of me as someone to run away from instead of someone to run to.
It’s heartbreaking…to think she sees me as someone who would hurt her.
It’s heartbreaking…that in her distress she can’t understand how much she is loved.
Despite her attempts to avoid me, I search for her every night and always have food and medicine prepared for her… I call her name out every night asking her to come home.
I always will.
My love for my cats isn’t based on their behaviors, especially when they’re scared, sick, or hurting.
You know where I’m going with this…
Too often, when we’re scared, sick, or hurting, we treat Jesus like Miss Kitty is treating me.
We can’t understand our circumstances so we run away from the One who loves us most.
In our distress we see Him as someone who is either uninterested in our pain or someone who would inflict even more pain upon us.
Sometimes, it’s been people who claimed to represent Him who wounded us in the first place.
We hide and think we’re safe…in reality, we’re just isolated and prey for the one who does love to inflict pain.
Jesus wept…
Despite our attempts to avoid Him, He still searches for us and calls us by name, hoping we’ll come home.
He always will.
We don’t know how much we are loved.
Run back to Him.
Go home.
I’ll go first…
Make your own application…
Is it you or is it that new cat that’s been hanging around?
It’s me…we’ve gone through this before.
It’s a cat thing…they isolate when they’re sick or hurt.
It’s a me thing too… 🙂
I’m sorry your kitty is sick! It’s always heartbreaking to know they’re hurting and can’t express it. I hope she heals quickly.
Oh man. Spot on.
I’m sorry your old kitty girl is doing this. They are determined creatures in spite of our efforts. I’m glad at least you can find her nightly.
I’ve become one of those “cats” who is afraid of more of the Masters “treatments” too. ?. My mind knows better, but my flesh is ……..
I’m sorry Miss Kitty isn’t feeling well and will lift a prayer that she makes that turn around to get back to her healthy self. Another well-written application. So true.
Oh Miss Kitty – how we all love you so! Please get better, for all our sakes. Praying that you are healed.
This is great Michael. Thank you.
I confess that in the past, even now sometimes, Jesus’ teachings have caused me as much anxiety as they have comfort. I battle the urge to hide and despair when I don’t “feel” like a very good Christian.
It’s those times when I have to trust His invitation in Matthew 11:28-30 and know He’s got me covered despite my anxiety and doubts not feeling like I fit in anywhere in His Church. Jesus is good and kind and as our Creator and Sustainer we can always go to Him and lay all of that stuff at His Feet.
Thank you again…
Interesting… my daughter’s new rescue cat (an old guy losing his teeth) has to have a bad tasting antibiotic administered from an eye dropper. He, too, runs and hides… Sadly, her rescue horse, from a feed llot (pay them the going meat market price and you can have them), picked up something called strangles there and the State’s veterinary school says he needs several thousand dollars worth of surgery – not affordable… a beautiful, sweet natured Andalusian, he deserves better, but as Michael noted above, there is one who delights in our sorrows and pain – that includes creatures, i am certain…
Miss Kitty, take your medicine, this is granny speaking!
Good stuff Michael! Thanks
Your story about Miss Kitty touches my heart in so many ways. I pray that she heals and fully returns to you.
Praying for your Miss Kitty and also for all the wounded and hurting. May they hear the voice on the One who loves them and rest in His love and healing comfort.
Amen, one of his lambs, AMEN indeed… Love the gospel song, “His eye is on te sparrow”… and i know He watches me. ?
Thanks for all the prayers for Missy…she’s eaten three times in the last 12 hours and acted like she recognized me when she woke me up at 4 this morning.
I fed her again and gave her some more antibiotics at about 7…this may be turning around again.
Michael, that is a beautiful application. I love your ability to write out spiritual things in such a practical way. I am like Missy…I run away from the God who loves me so much because I am frightened and sick…I am filled with doubt. Yet you don’t give up in your ministry to Missy, and our High Priest doesn’t give up on us. He is the father of the prodigal, watching and waiting for our return so He can lavish us with His Fatherly love. I need spiritual antibiotics and I pray that He will find me and give them to me. Thanks again, Michael.
Thank you, Cash!