True Cat Story

Cassidy left/Alfredo right

Bird center

 

Cassidy the Complainer

I have read many verses that remind me not to complain about anything but to give thanks in all things. I have contemplated on the fact my cat Cassidy certainly does not represent the proper illustration for teaching believers not to complain. I do not believe Cassidy will ever grasp this concept.  Though Cassidy is my cat, I have to confess she is also a beggar and a whiner—attributes not befitting a Christian; Philippians 2:14. She has to have her own way and no one can argue with her. She will plague you until she gets what she wants.  Sometimes I will tell her just a minute and she will be still and quiet for that minute, but not much longer. If I am not attentive as promised, she will screech and place my nerves on edge.  She knows all the off-key ear-hurting tunes and which ones work best.  

Christians are called not to fuss, complain and worry, as God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and has every hair numbered on our heads.  Nothing escapes His notice including our needs. Everything that arrives in our life is for a reason, to cause us to change and grow.  Every circumstance is to bring us to the place of spiritual maturity.  We are to ensure that we never cease to walk in the fruits of the Spirit. We are to learn to flee fleshly desires and tendencies through our trials and temptations.  One main fleshly desire is to complain. The Bible teaches that the unsaved are grumblers and those who follow sensual lusts (Jude 16) and we must witness the opposite. 

Even though our cat Alfredo is not a believer, and does not own an eternal soul, he is Mr. Easy Going. The Bible teaches that we can learn from critters and Alfredo is one who can teach his observers to simply rest and not fuss.  Cassidy could never teach humans any good thing, I am afraid. Now, I must pause here and change what I have stated to a degree, as Cassidy is very loving towards me.  Unfortunately, her attributes cannot travel farther as she is a snob and partial. She snubs very well. She loves only me and hates everyone else and every critter. She could never love our neighbors as herself, let alone Alan (my husband), our sons or Alfredo. 

Alfredo does not complain about anything and loves everybody and everything. He also is thankful in all things; 1 Thessalonians 5:18.  If he were human, he would verbally give thanks in all circumstances. If he could wear a smile, he would have one pasted on his cute countenance.  He never has a bad day. 

Cassidy’s favorite and only desired pillow is her royal gold one, which she authoritatively lays upon on our waterbed. She sets up a countenance like that of an admired queen. Her posture only lacks a scepter. (Now, I might state here, that Cassidy isn’t as young and fit as in her former days. Please, don’t get me wrong, she can still hunt like a tiger, but she just isn’t as agile as in years past. Sometimes, she will try and jump on our elevated bed, where her gold pillow sometimes lies; but she simply can’t make it up that high at times.  I will see her face for a swift moment popping up, but then down it goes.  She is determined and usually can land her entire self on her second attempt after composing herself.)

Cassidy could never grasp the concept of lowliness—she does believe she is queen.  Believers are to be lowly in mind and action, always exercising humility of mind. This all goes along with not complaining. If we recognize we are deserving of nothing, we accept the fact there is nothing that should distress us. We are called to be nobodies, never desiring to exalt ourselves only Christ Jesus; 2 Corinthians chapter 12. We are always to consider each person as being more important than ourselves, as commanded in Philippians 2:3. We are exhorted to display the lowly and obedient heart of Christ who possessed a heart that was willing to suffer a painful death, placing Himself last and in our stead.  

Val Lee  (Author of Cliques in the Church, Apostasy in the Church, and Queen Esther/Looming Holocaust—see Amazon.com. These books can also be read at http://vallee7.wordpress.com/. I also write and submit photos for Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures http://leesbird.com/ ”Through the Looking Glass of Val Lee”)