Thus far in my blogging journey, I have strayed toward the more serious side of discussion. Life is often difficult with its various challenges and obstacles which must be overcome. Life can really get us down unless we are willing to find the humor in some (shall we say) “interesting” situations. That humorous view is what led me write this post, “Lessons from the Cat”. Scoff to your heart’s content, but believe me, there are some valuable lessons to be learned here.
(1) Perseverance
Smoke is perseverance; perseverance is Smoke. Truly, they go hand in hand. He has now discovered the place where we keep the cat toys and treats which he is not supposed to have except on special occasions. Regardless of this fact, he is persistent in his determination to get what he wants. If we leave the door to the closet (where we keep these things) open, it is not long before one of the toys is lying somewhere around our house. If it is a treat he is after and the door is not open, he will sit outside the door and “meow” relentlessly. It is not the “meow” of “I want attention!” It the “meow” of agony. The one that says, “If I don’t get it soon, I will perish away!” As annoying as this can be, one way or another, he will typically get what he wants.
This leads me to the question, “Why are we not more like that?” Why do we give in so easily? We all have dreams and goals we carry with us, so why are we not more determined to persevere and see them through? I know, personally, that this is an area of my life which needs some major reconstruction. All too often, the obstacles of life can leave us asking the “difficult” questions. However, if we determine to persevere through, who knows what may be waiting on the other side?
(2) Self-Esteem
I have never known a cat who could sit in front of a mirror for hours and stare at himself. I have walked in on Smoke more than once as he sat staring intently at his reflection. Most of the time, I laugh and say, “Should I leave you two alone?” One of the qualities that Smoke possesses (which most of us have struggled with) is good self-esteem. He really does not care what people think of him. He is happy being who he is – nothing more, nothing less.
How many of us can say that we are truly happy being who we are? Aren’t we constantly trying to find ways to improve ourselves? Maybe I should not be, but I am appalled at the number of females who will go to any length to gain attention of any kind. I made the comment to my husband, “That kind of desperation does not make you more attractive; it just makes you look more ‘cheap’.” Harsh, I know. I was someone who struggled with self-esteem, especially through my teenage years. There were times when I felt desperate for attention. To say I do not still struggle with some issues would be a lie, but I have learned that self-respect is even more important than the way others view you.
(3) Forgiveness
I am trying to count the times that my husband and I have tortured, annoyed, maimed, or just plain tried the patience of our cat. Both of us have a tendency to play a wee bit too rough with him (some more than others!). We have at times (accidentally, of course) stepped on his tail and paws. He has been hit in the face with a ping pong paddle, dressed up like a mouse and a pharaoh for Halloween, rolled up in a rug like a taco…you can see where I am going with this. No matter how many times we have abused the poor soul, he always forgives. He knows the sound of my husband’s car when he comes home from work and will immediately run to meet him at the door. When I am busy doing things around the house, he is never far away to keep an eye on me. After all we have put him through, why should he love us so much?
How easy it is to hold a grudge! Forgiveness is not effortless. If it was, it would not be so difficult to forgive. Smoke has every reason to scratch our eyes out in our sleep, but instead, he chooses to forgive. If we would only learn to forgive more often, what kind of doors would that open up for our relationships or even for our own well-being?
Okay, so maybe this is all a little far-fetched, but it is honestly amazing the things you can learn from the situations around you. You can never tell who or what God may use to mold and shape you into what He wants you to be. Having grown up on a farm, I have always been surrounded by animals and know first-hand what they can teach you. Take a look at Proverbs 6:6-8: “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” (NIV)
Still scoffing? I think not!
