Thursday, July 2, 2015

Grace and Glory: A Feline Education About God


 

In my years as a Christian, I’ve hopefully learned some things about God. I’ve taken classes; I’ve read the Bible. I’ve lived life.

But one educational tool I did not count on was feline. God will even use cats to teach us something about Who He is.

Years ago, my husband and I adopted two kittens from a shelter. We scrolled through the adoptee profiles and immediately, two litter mates’ photos caught my attention: Grace and Glory.
 
 

They were part of a “G” named batch of kittens. It’s difficult to say what reached me first- their photos or their names. A lot of people who know me assume, because of my faith, I purposely named them. Nope. They came that way.

 “And he said, ‘I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.’”

Exodus 33:18

Glory was a calico, a beautifully glorious coat of white, black and rusty splotches. And her photo caught a scared little face looking over her shoulder.

“And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.”

John 1:16

 Gracie, described as a “diluted calico,” or a “tortie,” was a lavender grey swirl of rosy highlights, freckles and, based upon her profile picture, she appeared to have a cross, “fleur-de-lis” marking along her forehead and the bridge of her nose.

So, we were besotted. Long story short: we adopted them. Happily ever after, right?

Well…

Now, don’t get me wrong. We don’t regret adding them to our family. But, in adopting them, we were not prepared for the bumps (learning lessons) along the way. And, it’s been these learning lessons that have given me some insight into God Himself.

First, as shelter kittens, they were infested with fleas and incubators of ringworm. Fun.

So, that meant medications, which cats, of course, absolutely love receiving.

And that medication process had us collide violently with their natures. We learned about the feisty personalities of the calico species. We were completely ignorant of this reality going in. But man, did we ever get an education on the job!

Growling, charging and hissing protests were par for the course as we had to administer their meds at least four times a day for two months. Wonderful. My husband, Russell often wrangled Glory in a towel, just to keep her flailing and swiping legs at bay. But she still was furious.

Gracie was slightly easier. The tactic we employed the most with her was the element of surprise, grabbing her and dosing her as quickly as possible. The thing about her personality was that she, at least, was an easy purr. She purrs constantly, a happy and friendly type.

 And that’s what made her hisses and growls so startling. She was quick to hiss or growl if irritated. And then she’d be back to purring. She forgives instantly and goes along her way.

Strange little critter.

And that taught me about grace, the concept. It’s constant, even if/when things are less than ideal. It just is; it is not affected by what is going on.

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.”

2 Corinthians 9:8

 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9

And yes, Glory also educated me about God as well. It all starts with her amazing coat.

“But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.”

Numbers 14:21

Yes, on the surface, she looks like a cute kitten with beautiful tri-color fur. But there’s more to it than meets the eye.

Just like God’s actual glory.

“And one cried unto another, and said, ‘Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.’”

Isaiah 6:3

 It’s been a process of establishing and reassuring trust with these two cats over the years.

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 3:18

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;”

2 Corinthians 4:17

Both love to hammock on oversized shirts. Both have their favorite toys. And we’ve had some wonderful bonding moments. Glory, especially, is a cuddly, loving lap cat.

That, however, still does not change their feistiness. When they are irritated, they let it be known. There’s no changing that. We have to accept those terms.

And I believe, likewise, there are similar terms to God’s attributes of grace and glory. We need to approach them for what they are, no what we may want them to be.

There may be unpredictable moments in our lives, even with our pursuit of and relationship with God. He’s gracious and glorious. He’s feisty and fierce.

And, with these two felines, God reminds me on how they are very much His creation and a reflection of Him:

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.”

Colossians 1:16

And that’s an incredible fact, Jack!

Copyright © 2015 by Sheryle Cruse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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