Spiritual Lessons From My Cat

I wanted to share about an enlightening experience I had this morning with my cat, Shiloh. Now, many people believe that all attachment cats and other pets have to their people is purely instinctual, and that they do not truly feel any emotion whatsoever. I do not want to argue against or in favor of this view. But I would like to point out that regardless of whatever it is that cats feel, they are capable of strong attachments, and it is my cat's attachment to me that inspired and convicted me today!

I was trying to get ready for my busy day, rushing around my room and wanting to be sure to get time with God before I got started with everything. My bedroom is the regular hang-out place for all the cats whenever I am home, but they are not allowed to be in there when I am out and about. I opened my door hesitantly and just wide enough for me to slip out for a minute, not wanting to let any of the cats inside to disturb my time of prayer and not wanting to have to throw them all out when I left today. Immediately Shiloh darted inside my room – he often waits outside my door for me to let him in. I sighed, and determined to ignore him. But as I eventually settled down on the floor and hugged my knees to my chest to pray he came up to me, put one paw on my knee, and waited. He looked up at me expectantly. Thwarted twice and warmed by his persistence, I gave in and let my knees down just a little bit, and he crawled into my lap, even contorting his body to fit in the small space I allowed. I figured he might leave and stop bothering me if I did not pet him, but he didn't. He just laid there, perfectly happy and content even though I was not interacting with him at all.

I noticed three things about Shiloh this morning. First, his eagerness, next, his persistence, and lastly his contentment to simply be with me. This both touched me and challenged me. Am I this way with God? Does my cat, who “potentially” is only motivated by the fact that I feed him and pet him, make a greater effort than me to be with his master? My cat eagerly waits daily behind my closed door for me – do I daily wait eagerly and accept my Lord's invitation to knock on His door, believing His promise to open? (Matthew 7:7) When in the same room, my cat will not rest until he gets my attention in some measure. When I enter the throne room of God, do I persist until I know I am communing with God and do I “pray always without losing heart” like Jesus taught us to do with The Parable of the Persistent Widow? (Luke 18:1-8) And even when I am not showering my cat with attention, he sits with me and purrs with contentment. When it seems as though every worldly comfort is removed, am I still content to simply be near to my Father, who has adopted me and sacrificed His perfect Son to redeem me? Will I be satisfied as with rich and fat food by simply remembering the Lord on my bed and meditating on Him in the watches of the night? (Psalm 63:5-6)

“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, 
and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; 
your right hand upholds me.”

~Psalm 63:1-8