Kingdom Cats?

Kingdom Cats is a tribute to the two companions who kept me company during my self imposed Covid isolation. If you are a pet owner, you will understand. Warning: Kingdom Cats is faith based.

INTRODUCTION

In January of 2020, I fell on my face while adjusting a playground swing. My right eye was swollen shut and half of my face was a huge bruise. Naturally, I took a picture to show off. The pain was intense but applying ice helped and by the next day I only looked like I had been hit by a train. The accident was so sudden, so unexpected. The emergency room sent me to the Ophthalmologist and never has my eye been so thoroughly tested, measured, scanned and probed. The injury to my face was a hard psychological blow. How could this happen to me? Why did this happen? With the help of cover-up make-up and sunglasses, in a few weeks I was able to go out. There was no permanent damage, and despite the initial pain, life went back to normal. Then the pandemic came and the school where I was working closed. Sudden. Unexpected. Painful. Hadn’t I just experienced that?

At first, I didn’t think that Covid was going to hit us so hard. I knew it was happening in China and Italy, but I doubted it would come here with any ferocity or even at all. “Look at the numbers” I glibly replied when a coworker said it was now being called a ‘pandemic.’ Due to my age, when the school closed, I put myself in lockdown. I was now inside almost 24/7.

I gained weight during the pandemic, less activity, closer refrigerator. Fortunately, I gained something else- a closer walk with the Lord. I took hold of the scripture, ‘Seek ye first the Kingdom of God…’ (Matthew 6:13) my mind was made up. This would be a time to seek.

I kept a prayer journal, I watched hours of quality Christian TV, I took free online Bible classes and I read, read, read the Word. I prayed a lot. What the enemy meant for harm; God used for my good. (Genesis 50:20)

A Windowsill Approach

But seek first the Kingdom of God

and His righteousness, and all these

things shall be added to you..

(Mathew 6: 33 NKJV)

I was employed at a school full time when the doors were shut due to Covid. I made a personal commitment to stay at home until I could get a vaccine. I live in a state that did not shut down but set guidelines for public health: masks, social distancing, no indoor crowds. Because of my age, I decided to wait this one out at home. In the book of Exodus, we read that the children of Israel were living in Goshen. Trouble came, and they were told to stay inside. When I shared my self-imposed lockdown with my daughter her immediate response was, “That was what they did during the Passover. God told his people to stay inside.”

My cats Simon and Brina are content to be inside. They love to lounge on the windowsill and look out. If they can’t be there, watching is good enough. If my cats can do it, so can I. I can be content to be inside. Having taught preschool, I was immediately reminded of the children’s book, The Little Engine That Could and it’s famous “I think I can, I think I can…”. I may think I can but …can I? Am I able to stay at home, and hang with the cats until the vaccine? Occasionally I opened my laptop to see if any schools had reopened. (just curious) Dare I check online for jobs?

If I change my plan and go back to work, what about Simon and Brina? How will they respond? Look at them. So peaceful. Do they know or care that there is a virus in the land? Nope. When they were kittens, Simon and Brina were outdoor cats. They liked being outside. A few years ago, I labeled the outdoors as too dangerous, and they have adapted. Can I adapt? A TV ad caught my attention. It spoke to my determination to make the best of this situation. The words were powerful: “Adversity has come to town to see what you are made of” What am I made of? Am I a woman of faith? Can I do this? I am going to find out.

The Abundant Life

The thief does not come except to steal, kill and destroy.

I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.

(John 10:10 NKJV)

Just when I thought I couldn’t get any closer to my cats, the Covid virus came to town. At first Simon and Brina were confused. Wondering, “Why isn’t she going out?” it did not take them long to embrace this new reality. They loved it. Providing me with constant companionship, I have to admit that they are the perfect pets. Loving, responsive, fun to watch, easy to care for, it is true that I love my cats. Simon spends most of the day with me on the sofa while I work on my laptop. Brina has always preferred to connect with me in bed and enjoys lying on my chest. They look very different from each other. Simon has long legs; Bina’s legs are short. Simon has short hair; Brina is a long-haired kitty.

It was hard not to wonder, “Where is the Lord in all of this?” The answer brought me back to abundant life. I have been reaping abundant life for over forty years. Dare I admit that I came to the Lord when I was thirty? No, I won’t admit that. I have learned that abundant life brings joy to the little things that once were just routine. With Jesus, day to day living becomes an adventure. And just what are my great adventures? I have one cat that sleeps in the bathtub, and another one who thinks she is a kitty princess. The sky is blue, the clouds are white. I have learned to brew really good coffee and the library still has a lot of books that I want to read. My eye-sight is good, and I only need ‘readers.’ Readers? Maybe I will browse Barnes & Noble online, make some coffee and treat myself to a piece of cake. Books. Coffee. Cake. I can wait inside. I’m supposed to be here - for now.

Possibly Impossible

But Jesus looked at them and said to them

"With man this is impossible, but with God

All things are possible."

(Matthew 19:26 NKJV)

Why do I have cats instead of a pet dog? There is a popular theory that dogs are better company. Other than the fact that I like cats and don’t like dogs, my answer is that I have a relationship with my cats that is similar to the one people have with their dogs. We are close. They are not aloof, they are loving. In God’s perfect plan, there is no way I could be in lockdown with a dog. Covid caught me in small housing. I am in limited space, which works if you have cats but even the smallest chihuahua would not be happy in a small apartment.

No longer working forty hours, one of the first things I did with my newly acquired time was to dress things up a bit. I created a planter with artificial greens. I hung lace curtains and made a wreath of silk flowers for the door. Not my dream home, but I have a beautiful view of the back yard. It is quiet, and safe. My tiny Covid apartment is proof that with God all things are possible.

Dividing The Land

Submitting to one another...

Ephesians 5:21 (NKJV)

My cats have divided our limited living space into their respective territories. It reminds me of Abraham and Lot. An efficiency apartment is definitely not the wide-open spaces of the Middle East but my determination to be Bible minded has enabled me to make all sorts of comparisons. Simon has the bathroom; he loves to lounge in the tub. Do I hear gasps? Cool and deep, the tub is his favorite spot. I stopped taking baths to accommodate and no need to ask, I do take showers. When I want to use the shower, sometimes it is a struggle to get him out. I am too kind- hearted to turn the water on. He gives me his ‘but I am so comfortable look.’ “Come on Simey, time to leave the tub. I want to take a shower.” A gentle nudge and he reluctantly scrambles out but with effort because he is so overweight. Not willing to relinquish his comfort without a complaint Simon will sit outside the shower curtain and give a few yowls in protest.

Brina is selective and stays near or on the bed. She either sleeps on top of the bed or in one of the cat beds that I keep underneath. Does she ever go in the tub? Never. Does Simon ever sleep on top of the bed? Again, the answer is “No.” They respect each other’s space with the exception of the coveted windowsill but …siblings will be siblings. Putting the wants and needs of others first can be tricky, but if my cats can do it, I have no excuse.

A Strong Tower

The name of the Lord is a

Strong tower. The righteous run

To it and they are safe.

Proverb 18:10 (NKJV)

Well, I did it. I let my cats outside. I have struggled with the decision to keep them inside or let them go out. They want to go out. Grass. Lizards. Fresh air. Am I some kind of a monster that incarcerates helpless animals? A selfish greedy human who deprives the innocent for her own indulgence? Or am I a caring mom who does not want her little darlings to get fleas, be hit by a car, or attacked by marauding beasts? Knowing the right thing to do was a real struggle. “So what tipped the decision Miss Pat?" It’s simple really. At 2:00 a.m. Brinie began jumping on me, clawing at my head, and yowling. It was more than I could stand. And all the cleaning! It was not so noticeable before Covid but now that we are together inside all day, the best I can say is - I am not allergic to cat hair.

Today, after washing the floor and another night of being pounced on, I said, “Darlings, would you like to go out? I opened the door and out they went. They didn’t run. Slightly bewildered, they ventured into the back yard and started timidly sniffing around.

I went inside and sat on the couch. I thought, “It looks so clean in here. I’ll miss them but eventually parents have to take ‘The Big Goodbye’ plunge. I peeked out the curtain. Well, there’s Brinie, she hasn’t left the yard. (My biggest worry.) She was lying under a lawn chair. She’s awfully still. I don’t see Simon. Wouldn’t you know he’d be the one to leave the yard. But Brina … I peeked again. Now she was facing the door and oh my gosh her mouth was open. She’s panting! Something is wrong! I opened the door; Brina ran inside and immediately hid under the bed. Brina? Brina?

When cats are really upset, they pant. I learned this the day a cleaning crew came, and Simon retreated to a corner, looking crazy and panting. His world had been turned upside down. Now, after twenty minutes of freedom, Brina was panting. I opened the door to check on Simon. He was way in the back and about to go under the fence. When he heard the door open, he raced across the yard and ran inside. A strong tower?

Why can’t I remember that Jesus is my refuge, my hiding place, my strong tower? Do I run to the shelter of his wings, or do I just collapse, panting? When He opens the door, do I run inside? It is so easy for me to forget that he has all the answers, that His ear is not deaf, and His arm is not shortened. (Isaiah 59:1) For now, the three of us will stay inside.

Are Two Better Than One?

Two are better than one,

For if they fall,

One will lift up his companion.

(Ecclesiastes 4:9 NKJV)

When is this going to end? Would my lockdown experience be better with a spouse? That could be very tricky. With the cats, it is clear who is in charge. It’s Brina. No, no, no it’s me. What if I were inside all the time with another person? Has anyone studied this? Are there more 911 domestic violence calls during Covid lockdowns? If I were inside with someone else, conflict would be inevitable. (never my fault of course). I should be grateful that I am inside with cats although the Bible gives clear advise on avoiding conflict and for conflict resolution. Speak the truth, be angry and don’t sin. (Ephesians 4:25-27) Simon and Brina fight. What would happen if I wasn’t here to break it up? Would they fight to the death? There were pre-Covid days when I returned home to find wads of cat hair, the aftermath of a feline dispute. Is ‘Familiarity breeds contempt’ in the Bible?

Declare the Victory

I will declare your name to my brethren, in

The midst of the assembly I will praise you.

(Psalm 22:22 NKJV)

I know when Brina has caught a mouse. She makes a guttural sound that is saved for the triumphant moment when the lioness returns. She hunts at night when I am trying to sleep, but I manage to respond with a sleepy, “Very good Brinie, I’m proud of you.” “Miss Pat. You have mice?” Yes. Mouse, not mice. Brina has been successfully hunting the same mouse for about five years. I am amazed at how easily she is tricked. Mouse is a small piece of spotted fur with a string tail. No head. No body, just a soft piece of cloth with a dangling string. It is easy to deceive animals with fake predators and prey. I once kept mockingbirds out of my yard with a seven-inch toy alligator. In Florida, condos use fake owls to keep sea gulls from landing on the building's roof. It doesn’t take a lot to confuse or frighten the animal kingdom.

What about God’s Kingdom? How often am I easily deceived into fear, worry and doubt instead of standing strong knowing that I am a child of God? When the Lord comes through for me, do I declare the victory? Do I share what he has done when he allows me to be the returning lioness with my mouse? Nope. I am reminded of the scripture “We are saved by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony.” (Revelation 12:11) Hopefully, I will remember that the truth is worth sharing.

Someone once told me “A silent witness is not a witness.” I don’t really agree with that. I came to the Lord through a ‘silent’ witness. If my friend had mentioned Jesus or anything Christian, I would have slammed the door. There was a time when a simple “Praise the Lord.” would send me running. "Well, what happened Miss Pat? How did you become a Believer?"

I wanted what she had. When I was desperate, she was the person I called. It’s been a long slow walk. Sometimes I think that I must be the slowest sheep in God’s pasture. Now I am seeking Him like nobody’s business. Why? A virus has put me inside.

God Is In Control

Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh,

Is there anything too hard for me?

( Jeremiah 32:27 NKJV)

Everyone knows that I baby my cats. I have learned to both read and write with a cat on my lap. It is not easy, but who can disturb an indoor cat and not feel remorse? It's a good thing no one has seen or heard me tap Brina on her paws and tell her she has “the cutest little pawsies” or tell Simon, “I love you Simey.” I wouldn't want that to get out.

Before the virus hit, I enjoyed going downtown for coffee at one of the outdoor cafes. Pups in strollers were everywhere. Dogs were everywhere. Owning a dog had become more than common place, it was the vogue thing to do. I am wondering now if the puppy parents have put masks on their dogs. We all know that dogs have to go out. Are people allowed to walk their dogs during times of lockdown?

Pet strollers are not new. My friend Laura once put her cat in a stroller. Laura has long since gone to be with the Lord, or otherwise. Laura also had little hats and visors for her cat. “Clearly unhinged, right Simey my love?” Dogs being pushed in strollers are like me feeding my cats in a highchair. Not that they don't have blue place mats with matching blue bowls. Recently I told someone that Simon was a messy eater and she looked at me with pity.

Maybe I need to rethink this, do some soul searching. Why did I stare with indignation at the pre-Covid puppy moms and dads pushing their little bow- wow darlings in baby strollers? Am I jealous? Anyone who has owned a cat knows that bringing a kitty downtown in a stroller is only possible if the cat is either dead, or heavily sedated and wearing a restraining harness. Why am I the lone cat lover in a sea of pampered pups? Should I just accept that I have always been out of step? Am I always off the team? Are cats cheaper than dogs? This is giving me a headache. Is this in the Bible? How would I look it up? "Stop. Miss Pat, calm down. Take a deep breath and consider: God sees. He knows. He is bigger than any of your problems or your off the track concerns. God is omnipresent and omnipotent. He is everywhere all the time and knows everything. He’s got this. You’re a child of God. Relax."

Kitten Like Faith

But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not

Look at his appearance ...for man

Looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at

The heart.

(1 Samuel 16:7 NKJV)

The Word tells us that we are to be like children, and that we are to have child-like faith. (Mathew 18:3) Is that possibly a mistranslation and should be “kitten like faith”? Simon thinks he is a kitten. He is eighteen years old and has started to play with blankets and sheets hoping to engage me in a playful tug of war. Like a puppy, he wrestles with my shoes which makes me think that they must smell like a dead animal. Will I still be playful when I am as old as my cats? Wait a minute, I am that old. Do I have kitten-like faith? My kitties are no longer kittens but what is kitten faith? My cats believe they will be fed, that I will be kind to them and that they are safe. They trust me with a capitol T.

Do I worry, or do I trust and believe? What will happen to me after Covid? I probably won’t be working because I am past retirement age and if you haven’t guessed, once you are passed retirement age the doors are shut, shut, shut. I think more seniors must die of boredom then of chronic illnesses. If I were grading my faith level, I would get a B. Not a D or an F but unfortunately not an A. I have B like faith. It’s a good thing that I watch a lot of Christian television and have heard messages that tell me that God’s blessings are not dependent on my faith. Then I read books that tell me that faith activates God’s blessings. That’s when the scripture ‘God looks at the heart,’ (1Samuel 16:7)) comes to the rescue. What a relief! I know my heart is right even if my faith level doesn’t always make it to the Honor Roll.

This is Certainly Uncertain

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place

He would later receive as his inheritance,

Obeyed and went, even though

He did not know where he was going.

(Hebrews 11:9 NIV)

" Bad day Miss Pat?" Yes, it was. I told a friend that I feel like I am being torn apart by a wild animal. "Stop. I thought you were always upbeat." True, but there are days when scripture verses about the devil roaming earth like a roaring lion seem a little too real. (1Peter 5:8) I feel like I am directly in a lion’s path. I am told he is ‘toothless’ but maybe I am about to be gummed to death. "Why the doldrums? What’s really wrong? Could it be the flesh- eating bacteria in the Gulf of Mexico? Could it be any number of things? Think, Miss Pat, think. It’s Covid isn’t it? The riots, maybe?"

I am surrounded by uncertainty. Will I be able to fly and visit my children? Will I be able to go back to church, the gym, or the park? When do I go back to ‘normal living’? I have no idea.

My personality type likes what is expected, and predictable. I am one of those persons who has to park on the same side of the street, when going to the same place, at the same time of day. The unknown is daunting, but I guess that is not true for everyone. Explorers thrive stepping into the unknown. Astronauts, mountain climbers, - I am not in that group.

Abraham is frequently used as an example of someone with a godly attitude when faced with uncertainty. He was told to leave Ur but God would not tell him where he was going. Jesus told Peter to follow him - but where? I am the first to admit that I am not an Abraham or a Peter; but I am a Child of God. (John 1:12) And right now I am a Child of God who is facing uncertainty everywhere I look. I worry.

"Oh, so that’s it. You lack trust. You need to believe that God is for you. He is real, powerful and loves you. Remember the scripture that tells us that David built himself up in the Lord? (1Samuel 30:6) Take a minute and remember the countless times that God has been real in your life. Think about some of the good teaching you have heard. Watch Christian podcasts, over and over – get the message solidly. You like to keep things simple (no offense to myself) so just go with “Everything is going to be alright. Everything is going to get better. God is for me.” Stick with that.

Simon -You Did It!

Immediately Jesus reached out

His hand and caught him,

“You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

(Mathew 14:31 NIV)

I love Simon, especially now that the three of us are together all the time. He has so much personality and enjoys interacting with me. His inability to match Brina’s jumping prowess is an amusing fact of life. One day, I looked up and Simon was on top of the refrigerator. He had a look that said, “I did it.” Of course I had to help him down but that didn’t diminish his victory. Simon will lounge just about anywhere. Always ready to relax, he likes to stretch out on the floor, and I mean stretch. Simon lies on his back with his back legs extended and his front paws bent. Would you like to see thirty pictures?

Today, I sent my son a picture of Brina grooming Simon. Simon was originally his cat, but as often is the case, grandma had to step in and raise the darling. I’m getting pretty cocky now that I am inside every day. I told my son he might have been replaced by a cat because raising Simon is so easy and rewarding. I haven’t heard back with a response.

The feline relationship that Simon and Brina have is loving but unequal. Because I have been isolated now for weeks or is it months? I have had the time to study and observe their day-to-day interaction. How did they work out such a lopsided arrangement? Brina is the house manager. She taps me on the face to alert me to the fact that that I have forgotten to fill their bowls. Although Simon loves to eat and is way overweight, it is Brina who notifies me when the bowls are empty. Brina sits and waits until Simon is finished eating. Sometimes she doesn’t eat at all, confirming her role as notification specialist and not hungry cat.

Wait a minute. I thought I was spending my time seeking God, why am I obsessed with my cats? Is my focus God or cats? I’m confused. The Bible tells me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) Does it take strength to stay inside and wait? Instead of quoting scripture, I have become an expert on cat hair. Cats shed as readily as dogs and short haired cats like Simon shed as much as long-haired cats like Brina. Will I be quizzed on this?

The Glow of the Lord

And if the Spirit of him who raised

Jesus from the dead is living in you,

He who raised Christ from the dead will

Also give life to your mortal bodies

Because of his Spirit who lives in you.

(Romans 8:11 NIV)

My “Give Me Ice Cream or Give Me Death” mantra has changed. Not because I don’t long for a bowl of cherry vanilla, or mint chocolate chip, but because I am (gulp) overweight. Add to that a comment made by two loving family members, “You’re getting old.” Oh. Well. Possibly. No, I don’t think so. I don’t agree. Actually, I flat out refuse. But just to be on the safe side, I have started walking to lose the belly fat and strengthen my life expectancy.

I live in a quiet, safe, suburban neighborhood and I feel safe to venture out for a daily walk. Safe? Safe from Covid germs. Crime is not even a consideration where I live. I wear a mask in case I see another walker but usually I don’t. I am walking one hour a day, merrily shedding the pounds, and planning to stay alive.

On one of my daily walks, I passed a house with two cats lounging in the driveway. One was an orange tabby and the other was a grey semi-long hair. My Simon is an orange tabby. He is unusually handsome, but orange tabby is not a rare breed. Brina on the other hand, is a little more unique. She is a grey semi-long hair with a little white under her chin and white paws. The grey cat had markings like Brina. The orange tabby looked just like Simon. Someone owned two cats identical to mine! I almost rang their bell. Will they look like me?

Not long after this, I was walking on a different block and a cat came racing toward me from across the street. I almost tripped. She rubbed against my legs and “Oh my gosh it’s Brina! She’s gotten out. No, it can’t be Brina.” The Brina look alike was now rolling on the sidewalk at my feet. Lacking Brina’s unusually beautiful, fluffy, squirrel - like tail, this cat was not Brina but probably the one I had discovered with the orange tabby. She had come running at breakneck speed toward me. How did she know that I love cats? I must radiate a silent ‘I love cats’ message. Can cats see something about me even from a distance?

This is a discovery worth giving a Biblical application. Because the Holy Spirit lives in me, does my love for the Lord show without any declaration of faith? A well-respected TV Pastor recently talked about a Christian who silently carried God’s presence. I want that. No need to talk - just walk and glow.

Where Are My Kitties?

Every good and perfect

Gift is from above.

(James 1:17 NIV)

One night at 3:00 a.m. I awakened to the horror that my cats were gone! They had pushed open an unlocked door and fled. I go to bed early so they could have been outside for five or six hours. I jumped out of bed, quickly got dressed and grabbed a can of their favorite cat food. Rushing to the rescue, I almost tripped because they were just outside the door sitting patiently waiting to be let back in. Such good little kitties.

Why did I assume the worst? Have I become ‘fear driven’ in my thinking? The Bible tells me not to be afraid. “Fear not. I am with you.” (Isaiah 41:10) and “Perfect love casts out fear.” (1John 4:18) I know that fear does not come from God so why did I assume that I had lost my precious cats? I immediately panicked. Faith and trust were out the window or perhaps I should say, out the door.

When I feel like I am going to explode I need to remember that it is just my emotions in turmoil, and it will not last. Calm will return. Brinie is emotional. She needs to have a Calm Kitty pill crushed into her food so she will keep from clawing me at night. It’s true that an opossum in the yard made her go wild last night but her distress is never permanent. If I look at Brinie now, all curled up on the bed, is this the same kitty that I almost threw outside?

Brina and I are close. So close that I wash my face in her water bowl. This happens because her water bowl is my bathroom sink. Brinie likes to drink from my bathroom sink and I boldly brag that I wash in Brina’s water bowl. There is a door between my bedroom and the hallway to the bathroom. I keep this door shut, so when she wants to drink in the middle of the night, Brina gently taps me on the face. I roll out of bed, open the closed door, stumble to the bathroom and fill up the sink. “Why do I do this?” I feel guilty that I don’t let her, or Simon go outside. Outside, where dangers abound. They are denied stretching in the sun, chasing lizards, and doing all the enjoyable things they once did when they were outdoor cats.

I keep a bag of Kitty Treats close to the door just in case my fur darlings get out. I also give them an occasional handful and they go wild. When I reward my captives, I am reminded that everything good comes from God. He is the blesser. He is the source. When I sprinkle Kitty Treats for Simon and Brina I smile. I like getting treats, too.

My cats are important and for now, the three of us are inside together.

More Time to Wait

Wait for the Lord; be strong and

Take heart and wait for the Lord.

(Psalm 27:14 NLT)

One of the benefits of my Covid isolation, is that I have time in the morning to sit on the sofa an eat a bowl of cereal while watching TV. Simon and Brina are thrilled because after months of resisting their begging, I have given in and give them the milk at the bottom of the bowl.

I had a dog growing up and my father made it clear that you don’t feed a dog from the table because then they will beg. Beg? I would never feed my cats from the table. I am on the sofa and …the harsh reality is that I will never enjoy another bowl of cereal without two cats sitting and staring at me. Waiting. Waiting. I am not so transformed and relaxed that I let them drink from my bowl, but I pour my left- over milk into one of their bowls and they lap, lap, lap. Afterall, didn’t they wait patiently, silently, knowing that in time, I would finish eating and give them what they knew was coming? Do I sit patiently waiting for prayers to be answered, knowing that God’s Word promises me that He will answer if I sit and wait?

Being inside with my cats has given me the opportunity to notice every, and I mean every detail about them. Simon laps very loudly. He also likes to paw at his water bowl before he drinks. So cute. Water everywhere. Do you remember the passage about Gideon and his men and how God told Gideon to separate the warriors according to the way they drank from a brook? (Judges 7:5). The men that cupped their hands and drank were to be included, and the ones that lapped were not. Lapped? I have no spiritual insight to share when I ponder this Biblical detail. Men lapped with their tongues? I wouldn’t want that group on my team either, but I will work on waiting patiently.

Reach Out In Love

In everything, do to others what

You would have them do to you.

(Mathew 5:44 NIV)

In a world of plagues, riots and general mayhem, why do I write about my cats? Due to the pandemic, we have gotten very close. I treat them like children. Before Covid came, I was one human with two pet cats, now we are a family of three. They fight but it is brief, and I solve it with a time of separation. Usually, Simon is sent to the bathroom. Looking very guilty, he will go into the cabinet under the sink. Brina, will sit on my lap and stretch her front paws around my neck for a hug. Awww. “It’s okay honey, I am sure he loves you. He is just having a bad day.” Yes, I will need therapy when this is all over. During this time of isolation, I am Momma Cat.

My bedtime routine is very cat focused. If I go to bed and forget to check their bowls, at 3:00 a.m. Brina will alert me to the fact that they are empty. Simon is the one who rushes to eat. Brina is the spokesperson. She is his Aaron. She has a sweet, giving nature and will watch and care that Simon is fed and groomed. Brina licks Simon on the top of his head and around his ears. His response? He grabs her around the neck with his front paws and kicks her in the head. Such love. When I told my son about this he said, “He’s a charmer.” I like to think that this is Simon’s awkward attempt to be playful but - it is odd. Is Brina stopped? No, she will wait, then try again. What an example. Reach out in love only to be kicked in the head. Reach out again, and kick, kick, kick. It happens. No need to point out the lesson here, it’s the painful “Be good to your enemies.” I really struggle with this and if I examine my struggle, it comes down to pride. You hurt me and I will act mad so that you know that I was right, and you were wrong. Wow, how can I be passed seventy (who said that?) and still have so much growing up to do? Looking on the bright side, God will just have to give me more years, so I can get it all done.

Love and Provision

And God is able to bless you abundantly,

So that in all things at all times, having

All that you need you will abound

In every good work.

(2 Corinthians 9:8)

Nero fiddled while Rome burned. The world may be falling apart but I’m organizing, dusting, playing my flute. (Uh-oh). I clean my refrigerator a lot because I am Type A and a foodie. Now that I am home all the time, I can give my refrigerator the maximum attention it deserves. Oops, is that a crumb in the vegetable bin? Why not organize the salad dressing bottles? Let’s me see - all the dairy goes together, food in containers go together on one shelf and what’s next? The freezer. Oh my, how could I overlook cleaning the freezer?

In March of 2020 a friend cheerfully announced that it took a world -wide pandemic to get her to clean her refrigerator. We all smiled. Fast forward five months, six months, seven, eight, nine, ten, … This ends when? She’s still cleaning and we’re still counting.

In keeping with the ‘let’s get it done now’ approach to the pandemic, I have cleaned closets, my storage unit, every drawer, and I have actually finished craft projects that were abandoned when I was working full time. Although I am dragging my feet; I will put pictures of my children in an album. Then what? I am running out of things to do.

I love that my cats are clueless. They have no idea that there is a pandemic and that we have been invaded by deadly germs. Both Simon and Brina are eighteen years old and my theory is that a lot of love has kept them healthy. Do I feel as loved by God as my cats feel loved by me? They know I love them. I can hear it in the gentle mew that sounds like a purr blended into a meow. They trust me. They know I will feed them. It’s difficult to describe but we love each other. Are you thinking “Miss Pat you have been inside way too long.” I won’t argue with that, but I need to come to terms with the challenge of being as aware of God’s love, provision and faithfulness as my cats are of mine.

The Cat and I

For I know the plans I have for you”

Declares the Lord, “ Plans to prosper you

And not to harm you, plans to give

You hope and a future.”

(Jeremiah: 29:11 NIV)

For eleven months Simon and Brina kept me company. In Genesis we read that it is not good for man to be alone. I may be stretching it but I’m not alone when I have my cats. Maternal instincts don’t retire or grow old. Simon and Brina are the grateful recipients of loving displaced maternal care. Because I am a ‘nester, the isolation has given me time to think about my empty nest. Working at a school kept me too busy to notice that my children were grown and gone. There’s nothing like a room full of three-year-olds to fill a nest! Because of Covid I am now a stay-at-home Kitty Mom.

When I was a full- time housewife most of my time was spent in the kitchen. My kid-cats are very fussy eaters. They will only eat cat food that is newly poured into their bowls. They turn their kitty noses up at anything left out for three or four hours.

I am grateful that I have a safe, clean, affordable home with two pets that I enjoy. Life is good. God is good. When does this end and I get to go back to work?

Kitty Counseling

Listen to advice and accept

Discipline, and at the end you

Will be counted among the wise.

(Proverbs 19:20 NIV)

Lockdown has given me the precious commodity of time, but just how much time do I really need? I am starting to experience moments of “Help! Get Me Out of Here.” The Bible instructs us to share our burdens, and to seek godly counsel. That should be easy, but for me it is very difficult. Because I am self-centered and private, I bristle at the thought of seeking counsel. I don’t want anyone knowing my burdens and seeking counsel implies acting on that counsel. So, I have found an alternative. I have an inhouse solution: Brina. I call it Kitty Counseling.

Once or twice a week, I hold my cat Sabrina’s paws, make close eye contact and tell her everything that is wrong. She’s so focused, such a good listener. I invite you to consider the advantages of Kitty Counseling over meeting with a traditional counselor. Appointments are available but not needed, there is no travel time, no parking issues and no payment. There are no forms to fill out and best of all there is NO ADVICE! I hate advice. When I finish a Kitty Counseling session, I am unburdened, refreshed and confident. Sabrina takes a nap.

What would I do without my kitties? Simon and Brina were strays who came to my door within a week of one another. When they were young, they were adventurous but now they are not. Both cats have a bumpy past, and slightly wild teen years. I thought I had lost Simon the weeks he was missing in the woods. However, I am happy to say he was found. He also took a ride across town inside the bottom of a car and was found in a different neighborhood. Good grief Simon!

Brina too, was missing for several days. We were in Arizona and with that heat, I was sure I had lost her. One day, after I had given up hope, she miraculously appeared at the window looking horrified. I let her inside and she collapsed panting. Being a cat parent has never been easy.

Sleeping Like A Kitten

Your enemy the devil prowls

Around like a roaring

Lion looking for someone to devour.

(1Peter 5:8 NIV)

What’s happening to my world? First, we have a plague, I am tired of calling this a virus, then people are smashing cars into buildings, burning, destroying, basically not behaving according to my code of acceptable behavior. Don’t they share my rules? I taught preschool. I know very well that angry children destroy things but the last time I watched the news, I didn’t see any kids. Enough, I can't watch. The Lord showed me years ago that if I fill my head with what is wrong in other places, it is being ungrateful for being in a safe, happy place. Look at my kitties, all curled up and they sleep so well. The expression sleeping like a baby should be replaced with sleeping like a kitten. "Miss Pat, watching the news is a part of being a responsible adult." Oh, I’ll consider it but sometimes enough is enough. When I look out the window or I look down the street - it is quiet here. Am I grateful? Absolutely, totally grateful. I need to find a balance between ‘staying informed’ and staying awake at night because the stress is just too much.

Since all of the national upheaval, I have started taking a natural sleep aid and drinking a Nighty Night tea. I still toss and turn and have trouble relaxing. I take what I see on the news very seriously. But what about the scripture. ‘Think on what is of good report.’? (Philippians 4:8) That eliminates the news for sure. It is so easy to get sucked into the fear, the worry and the doubt. Also watching the news is almost addictive. What’s happening today? Are we still a country? Did any natural disasters happen while I was sleeping? What about riots? Was there an enemy invasion? If I brew some coffee and start my day with the news, it’s no wonder I can’t sleep. Throughout the day, I am experiencing moments of anxiety. What’s happening to me!!

"Calm down. Stop. Get a grip. Instead of the news, perhaps you should be watching one of the Christian TV channels. Playing praise music. Reading the Word. Where’s the discipline? Remember the ‘gifts’ of the spirit? (1Corinthians 12:8-10) Self -control may be the last one on the list, but it is a spiritual gift. How about setting a time limit on TV news? How about thirty minutes once a day? You need some structure, and discipline."

What if I pray before and after the news. I could turn this into a time of intercessory prayer. Prayer does change things. I’ll try it. With my new approach, I expect to sleep like a kitten.

A Child of God?

See what great love the father

Has lavished on us, that we should

Be called children of God.

(1John 3:1 NIV)

There are days when I think that the cats and I are getting a little too close. I’m a new creation in Christ Jesus but maybe something went wrong. Our Covid togetherness is very extreme and has added an intensity to the owner/cat relationship. It is sort of like they are children, and I am the parent. (gulp) I hope I do better with them then I did with my human offspring. If I am better with cats, am I becoming feline? The Bible tells me that I am a New Creation. Born Again. Could something have gone wrong? Looking in the mirror confirms my humanity, but I am starting to wonder.

Yesterday for the second time, I let the kids, I mean the kitties, go out. The back yard is fenced on three sides and very private. Simon and Brina have been indoor cats for years. Every time I left the house, I would look at them and say, “No, no, no, kitties don’t go out.” Experiencing their long-awaited freedom, they were released to the green oasis they have been staring at through the window. Instead of running wildly and climbing trees, they ate grass. It was like having goats or cows, not cats. I felt very guilty, assuming that they wanted the chlorophyll because of digestive issues and why hadn’t I taken them to a vet? I sat and watched while they ate, then I scooped them up and brought them inside. Within an hour they had both thrown up big wads of partially chewed grass.

After their amazing Wish Granted experience of being let outside, my cats now sit at the door and yowl. I found an easy solution that restores peace and quiet. I give them Kitty Treats. Kitty Treats are not even in the same category as cat food. Am I pouring gold on the ground? Magic fairy dust? Nope, just hard pellets with something in them that makes cats wildly devour the scattered nuggets and then want more, and more, and more. I have never seen anything like it. What do they put in these? I could put my glasses on, read the label and find out but instead I will speculate and say that it must be cat nip in an eatable form.

There’s something to be said for treats. The Bible says a lot about them. We are warned that too much sweet honey isn’t good (Proverb 25:16). But God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6) “All work and no play” may not be in the Bible, but I grew up hearing that phrase and it has a Biblical ring to it. I wish I could say that I devour treats the way my cats devour Kitty Treats, but after all - I am human.

A Gift to Enjoy

God made the wild animals according

To their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds,

And all creatures that move along the ground according to

Their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

(Genesis 1:25 NIV)

After months of self-quarantine, I am running out of things to think about. I ran out of things to do weeks ago. Refusing to resort to hours in front of the TV, the world of feline pets offers limitless possibilities for mental meandering. In the Bible we learn that Adam named the animals. God did the creating through his spoken Word and included Adam in the adventure by giving him responsibility. Animals were initially not given to mankind for food, they were there for man to rule and enjoy. I wouldn’t call my apartment Eden, but I am definitely enjoying my cats.

I have the time to consider every aspect of their lives including their rival - dogs. The differences between cats & dogs are many. The expression ‘Fighting like cats and dogs’ is a wicked lie. I have seen dogs chase cats, but I have never seen a dog and a cat in a fight; so I refute this cliché and replace it with: ‘Fighting like two cats.’ Oh my gosh, can my sweet little kitties go at it! Shocking. Cats may fight with each other but the difference between a cat fight and a dog fight should be self -evident. If not, I will now take a look at the differences between cats and dogs and approach this systematically by subject area.

ENVIROMENTAL PREFERENCES

Radically different between the two. Dogs want to run in a wide- open spaces. Cats are happy to sit in a cardboard box.

SLEEPING HABITS

Cats like to cuddle up with each other or any living thing that might happen to be at rest.

Dogs – Don’t you touch that dog while he’s sleeping, he will snap growl and bite.

Which leads to the topic of AGGRESSION.

AGGRESSION

Dogs will attack. Have you ever seen a sign that says BEWARE – CAT? I rest my case.

If a dog knows you are afraid, it is even worse. They can sense it or smell it, the bottom line is if you know you are afraid, then you know the dog knows and you also know that if the dog knows it is worse for you so you may as well give up.

A cat will never run to a fence and hiss at you. They are not ready to scratch or bite unless some barbarian hurts them first.

DISPOSITION

Dogs are very demanding. They want to go out. They want to go for a walk. They will follow you around the house. A friend told me she was losing her mind because every time she stood up her husband’s dog would get up. If she were watching TV and got up to go into the kitchen, the dog would get up and follow her. Good grief. Sounds like grounds for divorce to me.

Cats are one hundred percent ‘go with the flow.’

CURIOSITY

Cats are curious and peek into everything to see what’s up. Dogs have a ‘don’t bother me’ attitude. “I am resting, and whatever has landed on my nose needs to go, but later, when I am not resting.”

ACTIVITIES

You have to take dogs places. To the park, for a walk, for a car ride. Cats are happy to stay home. They may go from the bed to the chair to the window, but there are no big travel plans for cats.

OWNERSHIP

If any dog owners are still reading this, I will close with the concept of OWNERSHIP. Sorry folks but you don’t own your dog, your dog owns you. As for cats, they are happy to live with you on a mutual affection basis. No loyalty pledge, no demands, just food, water and a loving lap. Adam may have named the animals, but I bet Eve fed them.

Feline Forgiveness

Be kind and compassionate to one another,

Forgiving each other, just as in Christ

God forgave you.

(Ephesians 4:32 NLT)

Do I forgive and forget or forget to forgive? My cats have taught me a lot about forgiveness. The Bible reveals that the years that David spent alone with sheep were years of preparation and learning. I am not equating myself with David but I am alone with Simon and Brina and I am learning. In my feline household, the aggressor is usually Simon and some days I find wads of pulled out cat hair - Brina’s hair! When they fight, I scold Simon and he slinks into the bathroom. In less than an hour they are back to being best buds.

Why can’t I be like that? I struggle with holding a grudge. Perhaps it’s genetic. Not that I blame others for my own short comings, (I would never do that), I have a childhood memory of my aunt, telling me in a whispered voice that thirty years earlier another relative had said her homemade tomato soup was really Campbells. Who can forgive a slur like that?

We are told to love our enemies but why do I hate them? Clearly an opportunity for grace to step in and enable grudge holding individuals like myself to ‘do the right thing.’ My cats set an example for the way it should be. Now that they are Covid cats, we are together in close quarters. Close quarters produce quarrels. There will be fights, even fur ripping fights, but the key is to get over them quickly. “Stop it. Stop it you two.” I chase them under the bed. “Simon, bad, bad, bad.” Five minutes later I am video recording Brina licking his head.

It is easy to forgive mistakes. It is easy to forgive when a person is repentant but what if they are not? The best I can do is to feel sorry for them and consider that their thinking is off, that they are deceived and that ‘We wrestle not against flesh and blood but principalities of darkness, rulers in high places.’ (Ephesians 6:12.) If I consider that someone who has hurt me has been deceived - it will be easier for me to forgive.

No Plan

Cast all of your anxiety on him

Because he cares for you.

(1 Peter 5:7 NLT)

How do I prepare for hurricane season now that we are in a pandemic? I live in Florida, and hurricane season is always a concern. Because of the cats, I avoid going to a shelter. Instead, I arrange to stay at a motel further inland that accepts pets and I ride it out in 'hurricane style' comfort. The power often goes out, so I look for a motel with its own generator. Will they be accepting hurricane refuges this year? One with two cats? Probably not. I need a plan that is not just pet friendly but also Covid friendly, whatever that means.

My first concern are the kitties. I am in an apartment with a lot of windows, and I worry about broken glass. If I push a tall bookcase across the small alcove leading to the bathroom, the kitties can go in this protected area. I can move their beds into the bathroom and yes! That will work. "But what about you Miss Pat? What will you do?" Umm that’s a good question. This alcove is cozy but it would give me standing room only. Okay, here’s a plan - I create the shelter for my cats and then I go somewhere. Oops, I can’t go anywhere because of the virus. How about having this year’s plan be No Plan. I don’t have a plan and I am getting very grouchy but perhaps this will be a year when we don’t have a hurricane. That would be perfect for my “I don’t have a plan” Plan. The last hurricane season someone on TV told us the entire state was in danger of drowning… fortunately he was wrong.

Stop. Wait. I thought I was a woman of faith. Isn’t God in control? Can’t I cast my cares onto Him? When a problem is just too big and I am unable to come up with an answer, or maybe sort of big, and I don’t have answers I can rest in trusting God. Also, I am spoiled. Being spoiled gives me an advantage when it comes to trust. I expect to be taken care of, so it is not a big jump to expect God to do the same. "Shameful, Miss Pat. Very shameful."