The other day I learned a wonderful lesson through a cat. The following narrative is my experience and thoughts thereof.
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We have three cats at the present, and all with their distinct personalities. My present favorite is Chaucer, our middle-aged lady cat who loves being around the home. Tonight, as we (my family and I) walked out from the car to go inside the house after having been at a Bible study, she illustrated a lesson that I am currently being “schooled” about from the Great Teacher. Because she is around the house more than the others (and is not quite as skittish as the other two cats), she tends to receive much greater affection and seems to enjoy every ounce of it. So as I reached down to pet her from where she lay, she looked up at me with a rather anxious disposition, but as soon as I gently nudged her head back down and moved her so that I may rub her belly, she closed her eyes in contentment and allowed me to do the rest. I have been mulling over how I respond in both situations of distress and delight. Recently, I acted with an attitude of, “Oh no, God! This must not be what you meant. Let me see what I can do to fix it…” in response to distress. Fix God’s plan?
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Do I really believe that God’s best is truly the very best? In my head, of course I know that this is true, but because emotions and will are entangled in various trials, it means that I must give over to the Lord my will and emotions. I now must pour this circumstance and everything it entails before the Lord and He will do with it what He pleases. What does this have to do with sweet Chaucer?
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Her anxious look as I brought my hand upon her to do some slight correcting (by adjusting the way she was positioned) reminded me of myself. Yes, I know this may be much harder than I had anticipated. And in some ways I am frightened. But then as soon as I placed my hand upon her, Chaucer “gave in”. She surrendered. She became like putty in my hands and gave me all the power. And so must be my choice. I know my Lord’s tender touch, so I can respond to it in humble surrender. I conquer only where I yield.
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How did Chaucer get to be so very pliable? I can only conclude that she did so by being close to her masters. Whenever she is inside the house, oh she is contentment to the fullest. She loves people and her owners, but she REALLY loves being inside with them. She seems to have a desire oftentimes to be inside or to just sit in her master’s company. She stays nearby the house most of the time, and comes when called for (with some exceptions, though—cats are after all, like humans, quite fickle creatures). Do I do the same? I learn to trust God and have faith in Him by knowing Him, by being in His presence, and by longing to be where He is. I know more of His character by being in His Word and abiding in Him. This makes giving up and pouring out even the hardest of situations in which I would like to have control ever so much more straightforward and fruitful.
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"Submission"
The path that I have trod
Has brought me nearer to God,
Though oft it led through sorrow's gates.
Though not the way I'd choose,
In my way I might lose
The joy that yet for me awaits.
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Not what I wish to be,
Nor where I wish to go,
For who am I that I should choose my way?
The Lord shallchoose for me,
'Tis better far, I know,
So let Him bid me go, or stay.
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The cross that I must bear,
If I a crown would wear,
Is not the cross that I should take;
But, since on me 'tis laid,
I'll take it, unafraid,
And bear it for the Master's sake.
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Submission to the will
Of Him who guides me still
Is surety of His love revealed:
My soul shall rise above
This world in which I move;
I conquer only where I yield.