The Parable of the Evil Kitty

We had our carpets cleaned yesterday. There's probably a story in there somewhere about sin and the "cleansing" power of Jesus, but not today.

The whole process was very revealing. First, we had to move ALL the furniture out of the rooms that were to be cleaned. Then, we had to vacuum the carpet.

"Why are we vacuuming the carpet? Isn't the carpet guy going to clean them?"

Apparently, I'm not knowledgeable about such matters.

After the carpet guy was done we chatted for a bit. That's when my wife said this about our cat.

"We will always have a cat."

That made me think of a Bible verse. 

"The CAT you will always have with you." Or was it 'the poor'?

After my wife got done sentencing me to 'life with a cat', I began thinking about all of the evil things our cat has done.

It's only a matter of time before our cat vomits something onto our freshly cleaned carpet. That's a given.

Our cat walks around like he owns the place.

"Feed me."

"Clean my litter box."

"What are you eating? Where's mine?"

"Oh, I hear a package of cheese being opened!"

"I'm sleeping on your lap now."

Our cat is the reason we sleep with the bedroom door shut. We always hear him jump down OFF the counter. Never UP. And why is his mournful 'meow' always loudest when we want to sleep in?

It occured to me that our cat is synonymous with our sinful nature. Always with us and doing things it shouldn't. Even when it appears loving there is often an ulterior motive. Selfish, greedy, arrogant... (I should probably stop, in case my wife reads this).

"Cats will be lovers of themselves, and lovers of cheese. They meow, loudly. They are proud, arrogant, disobedient to their owners, ungrateful, they shed, and make annoying licking noises when they clean themselves. They are unforgiving, uncaring, without self-control, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of us. Have nothing to do with cats. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women." - 2 Timothy 2-6 ACV (Anti Cat Version)

[I might have modified the actual text a bit]

Aren't we a bit like cats from time to time though? In the way we live our lives. Always seeking our own comfort and pleasure?

REPENT!

But before I "stray" too far (I know, too late) I need to remind myself that Jesus Himself is known as 'The Lion of Judah.' And where is MY grace and compassion?

Ouch! 

(Apologies to all the cat-lovers out there. This story was written purely in jest... with some basis in truth)

The Kitty Cat Gospel

My wife loves cats. All kinds of cats. But not all of them love her. The cats in our neighborhood are a perfect example of how the society of today reacts to hearing The Gospel.

We live in a subdivision out in the country. We have had lots of visitors to our bird feeder. In addition to the expected variety of birds we have also had deer, squirrels and turkeys. Our next door neighbor even had a bear! All wanting to eat the seed in our bird feeder.

We do get other visitors to our bird feeder though who aren't interested in what the birds are eating. They are interested in the birds themselves. Our neighborhood cats.

This summer we have had three cats visit out feeder - an orange kitty named Paulie (our neighbor's cat), and orange and white cat (unknown name and origin) and a scrawny black and white kitty.

Paulie, the orange cat, was our first visitor. He lets my wife pet him but he also likes to bite. The orange and white cat won't let my wife get near it - a true fraidy cat. But the black and white cat is different. He is very friendly and even purrs while you pet it.

These three cats are a prefect representation of the humans society and our reaction to hearing The Gospel. If my wife represents the truth of The Gospel here's how the cats (representing us) react to the unconditional love she offers each of them.

Some of us, like the orange cat, will listen to the Gospel but then will get very angry. They will even get violent. Others, like the orange and white cat, don't want to hear The Gospel at all and run from it, denying it totally. Thankfully there are some who, like the black and white kitty, will embrace it and thank you for sharing it.

Even though my wife offers her love to ALL of the cats, most reject it. Why? The experience of their lives has taught them not to trust anyone and to lash out at others. Still, just like God, my wife will continue to love them despite who they are. Despite who life has made them. Despite the scars on HER hands. She still loves all cats but at some point they will have to trust her in order to fully experience her love for them. And so it is with us.

The Gospel - Ryan Stevenson