Tag Archives: cat

Cat and Dog Theology

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IMG_0149_324633747_resizedI once heard a sermon about a concept called Cat and Dog Theology.

The cat says…”you feed me, you care for me, you pet me, you love me, I MUST BE GOD.”

The dog says….”you feed me, you care for me, you pet me, you walk me, you love me, YOU MUST BE GOD.”

I have a cat named Helen who is 18 years old and I have had her since she was a couple of weeks old.  She has a sense of entitlement and believes the world and my life should revolve around her.  She is self-centered and has her own agenda.  She does what she wants to do and feels as though she runs the house.  She has a sense of having “rights” rather than an attitude of dependency.  Her mantra is “it’s all about me.”  She doesn’t take direction, doesn’t look at me when I call her name, and couldn’t care less about being in my presence.  In fact, she rarely makes direct eye contact.  She is very independent and is not teachable or affectionate.

jazz_whitOn the other hand, how the dog behaves is very different.  I have two precious dogs, Whitney (13) and Jazz (7).  Whitney and Jazz are totally dependent on me – for food, water, walks, and affection.  They live to please me and be in my presence.  In fact, they follow me around the house and are eager to make eye contact and just sit and look at me.  They are always excited to see me and are extremely affectionate.  Both are very teachable, walk on a leash, and know a few commands.  Their mantra is “it’s all about you.”  All I have to do is whisper their names and they look directly into my eyes immediately.  They know my voice.

I want to follow dog theology in my relationship with God today.  I want to be as affectionate as my dogs are and long to be in His presence and look at Him.  I want to be teachable, humble, and aware of my utter dependence on Him.  I long to please Him today and follow Him.  May I never forget “my only hope is Jesus.”  And may my mantra today be “it’s all about You, Jesus.”

 

A Breakfast Meditation

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Whenever I have cereal in the morning, an interesting thing happens.  I have a cat who is 18 years old.  As soon as she hears me open the cereal box, she begins to meow because she knows milk is involved.  Just opening the box – not even pouring the cereal or pouring the milk.  She instinctively knows something good, something that she loves, is to be had.  I pour the milk and go into the living room to sit in my armchair and watch the news.  She immediately jumps up on the right arm of the chair and starts meowing and pawing at the cereal bowl.  She knows that I love her and she will always eventually get the milk – but she paws anyway – wanting it now.  I finish my cereal and then give her the milk.  She is overjoyed, nourished, and satisfied.

How often do I open my eyes in the morning filled with expectation of all the good God has in store for me today?  How often do I open the Word with the kind of anticipation and yearning my cat has when she hears the cereal box open?  Anticipation of being with God, being filled with joy, nourished, and satisfied by Him.  How often am I so eager for a taste that I paw at the cereal bowl?

May God fill me today with the same longing, eagerness, and anticipation to be in His Presence and drink of His Word!