Lessons from a Cat

 I thought about this cat we used to have.  This beautiful orange cat who used to be excited just to be alive.  I miss him.  At one time in his life, he liked to catch mice; in fact, he seemed to like roughing it outside.  There was a time when we had to call him and call him to come eat the cat food we were trying to provide for him.   He would rather chase and kill bugs, find disgusting mice and birds, and bring them up to the door to show us before he ate them.   Actually, he was very useful to us.  And his bed?  Well, he used to like the dirt and grass in the back yard – until he discovered the deck.

Then my son Jameson began to bring him in the house on occasion.  Jameson also began to  buy cat treats with his own hard-earned money.  Well, the cat got used to carpet and comforters on beds and fancy food in a cat dish. 

Then he enjoyed lying around and having us bring his food to him and then he would decide whether it was worth eating.   When  Jameson got tired of buying the fancy treats, fat cat started looking at the regular food as if to say, “You expect me to eat this?”  This, from a cat who used to be content with roaches.

He lost his contentment with animal things.  He wanted people things.  

When I  think about our cat,  I think of how he is such a picture of people.  In his early years, he was so happy just to be alive.  He liked a pat on the head. A scratch under his ears.  Some simple food. The warm sun.

The more we petted him, the more he seemed to demand to be petted.  The more food we provided, the more he expected to receive.  The more he had, the more ungrateful he seemed. Of course, it didn't matter to us because we adored this big lovable goof even if he, at times, was ungrateful.  He was ours.  We loved him.  

And I was so so very sad when he died.

See, my cat was also a very good example for me.  Like he did, I have Someone Who provides for me, calls me, feeds me, saved me, gives me warm sunshine, a bed, a life, a house, and freedom to live in the greatest country on earth.   And that's just a start.

I don't want to be ungrateful.   But so often I am.  

Paul, who was in prison, wrote these words:

11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 


I'm still learning.