subject: Thoughts From The Box - "Here Kitty, Kitty" [print this page] Thoughts From The Box - "Here Kitty, Kitty"
Guess what's on our porch now? OK, it's not a snake again but you got it: We have cats.
I must say, living with my twin brother is an experience in itself. Did you know he has been secretly feeding stray cats for more than a year? At the moment I'm writing this article we have one mother cat and two kittens living at our front door. He's even given the cats their own pet names. He's named them, "My Little," "Greedy" and "Scary." It is hysterical!
Although you might feel this is silly, looking at the relationship that has developed between my brother and the stray cats is also very insightful. The compassion Julien has displayed for them is truly unbelievable. If he does not see the cats immediately he changes his voice and calls them by imitating purrs, saying, "Meow-Meow." Out of nowhere, they come scampering up, ready for their father's love. It really is amazing!
Let me further present to you two parabolic images that I have witnessed because of this relationship over the last couple of months. First, I find it interesting that Julien really has a sincere compassion for stray animals. (By the way, these cats eat better than me.) James 1:27 tells us that "the religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." In one moment of kindness, Julien is taking care of two fatherless cats and a "widow" without a husband. His relationship with these cats reflects what the bible describes as true religion.
Secondly, we have the Father's call. When Julien calls, the cats come. They don't just stroll but sprint to him, right up to the front door. They never hesitate because they trust that there will be food, milk and comfort awaiting them. We can learn something powerful from this. It reminds me of a popular story in the Old Testament from I Samuel 3.
Samuel was lying down in the temple when a voice from heaven called out to him. As soon as Samuel heard the voice he ran to his mentor, thinking it was Eli. Even though Samuel was mistaken, he had the right intention. Verse 5 says he "ran" when he was called. When we are called we must run after the Father and become eager for the word that He has for us.
In Neale Donald Walsch's books, Conversations With God, he explains that there are several ways our Father "God" communicates with usfrom words, feelings, and thoughts, to experiences. The Father calls people differently.
Julien represents a very interesting example of how the Father calls his own. As odd as it may seem, my brother knows to summon the cats in a language they can understand. Julien compassionately beckons the little family by simply mimicking sounds that they are use to hearing: "Meow-Meow."
I am sometimes asked this question, "How can I truly hear from God?" And I now know that our heavenly Father calls us compassionately, daily, in a language we are familiar with. Question is are we listening?
Prayer,
Lord, we thank You for being our Father. We are your sheep and we recognize your voice, so help us not only to hear but also to truly listen to Your calls. And teach us to eagerly run after You, God, to follow you, so that we can discern your Word and understand Your good and perfect Will for our lives. Thank you for sending Your Son to die on the cross for our sins. It is in His precious name, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Blessings,
Damien K. H. Nash, Founder & CEO
TNG Publishings, LLC
www.tngpublishings.com
Author of
How to Load Your Truck: One Box at a Time
Big Box, Little Box: How One Little Box Finds His Way
