cats

 The following article, "Of Cats and People" was written by Michael Newnham.  My comments follow.

Lord, this cat you gave me... she just doesn't listen.

-I told her the rains were coming...she goes out anyway and comes back soaked.

-I told her not to lay in weeds...yet everyday she comes in and
expects me to pull all the stickers out of her fur....from laying in the weeds.

-I told her that as much as it's up to her to be at peace with all
cats...yet she expects me to tend to her wounds from the fights she is always in.

-She embarrasses me in front of the neighbors by instigating
disputes with their cats...she thinks she owns the whole block.

-She is constantly doing what she ought not to do and suffering
the consequences.

-Worse, she seems to blame all her misfortunes on me...at least
she expects me to deal with all the results of her disobedience.

I always do, but she never seems to learn.

-Furthermore, Lord...she has never missed a meal, but when she's
hungry she yowls as if she hasn't had a meal in weeks.

She makes it sound as if I'm a negligent and cruel father.

The truth is that I always feed her and even give her treats.

Just wanted you to know...

-To top it all off, she is often distant and ignores me until she wants
attention or me to provide something.

-This cat makes me feel used.

-Sometimes I wonder if she loves me, or just loves what I can give her.

-It's a pretty one sided relationship.

-Despite all of this, I love the cat and I've chosen to keep her.

-Lord, that makes no sense, but I know you'll understand…

                                                   --Michael Newnham
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     It's a well-written piece to remind us that the things which our cats (or  people around us) do that make us feel unappreciated are the same sorts of things we do to God on a regular basis.  God is so gracious and giving, even when we are unappreciative, but we dare not take his kindness for granted. May we praise our God every morning that we are able to rise from bed!  May we praise our God for every bit of food that we enjoy!  May we praise our God for his continual grace in our lives!

     "To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.  O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever." (Psalm 30:12)
-alan smith