Paws and Reflect

As with most cats, she thinks she rules the home. In her mind, she is Queen Kitty, and I am here to make sure her wishes are met pronto.

By Grettel Loney

I have a cat named Kitty.

Kitty is a Russian Blue, which means she’s all gray with pretty green eyes and a tail with subtle but distinct black stripes. Kitty is awesome and extremely photogenic, which sometimes makes me come across as a crazy cat lady, even though we just have the one cat, because I take way too many pictures of her and post them on social media.

But back to Kitty. Kitty is a typical cat in that, when she’s in the mood, she can be the sweetest thing. She’ll come up and snuggle next to me on the bed, let me scratch her back, or under her chin, or lay at my feet when I’m reading—all when *key words* she’s in the mood. I always love it when she’s feeling generous with her affection. She rarely hides (think thunderstorms) but usually she wants me in her vicinity—but not too close. Also, as with most cats, she thinks she rules the home. In her mind, she is Queen Kitty, and I am here to make sure her wishes are met pronto.

Sometimes Kitty can be a bad kitty. Her punishment is time outside, because she decided a long time ago she prefers the perfectly air-conditioned or heated home to the rarely just-right Tulsa temps. I don’t have too many rules for her, but dangit, it’s like she has Dory memory or simply thinks I do, and then gets in my closet, or on the counters, and then I have to put her out. She gets terribly annoyed with me when that happens.

The thing about this cat, though, is that no matter how temperamental she can be with her affection, or how naughty of a kitty she can be, I love her so much. When she’s been a turkey and spends time outside, as soon as I open the door to let her back in, she scurries in and I enthusiastically greet her with, “Kitty!” and oftentimes scoop her up in my arms. I usually can’t remember why I put her out… I’m just so happy to have her back inside with me.

Lately, God’s been trying to teach me how much He loves me. And the other day He put it in my heart that Kitty represents me, and I represent Him.

Sometimes I’m so in the mood to be in God’s presence. I seek Him out. I want nothing more than to be at His feet. Sometimes, though, I just want to be alone, or maybe not entirely alone—just close enough to know He’s there, but not too close. And worse… many times I think I rule my little private universe. When I rebel and I’ve needed a time out, it’s like He can’t wait to spend time with me again. Like He doesn’t remember why I got in trouble in the first place.

I’ve never told Kitty I wasn’t in the mood for her affection, and God has never once in my life made me feel like I should come back a different time.The Bible says in what might be its most recognizable verse:

^“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (KJV).

I can tell you I honestly do not love anyone on this earth enough to give my only son or my only daughter’s life for. But God loved me enough to give His only Son’s life for me. And He loves you just the same. He’s longingly waiting for you to want to spend time with Him. That’s why He created us:

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11 (KJV).

I’m reading The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer. It’s a classic. It’s a short read, but it’s taken me forever because I have to reread parts a lot. Tozer talks about the attributes of God—an attribute being something God has revealed about Himself to be true. I think it’s important to know what He says about Himself because if we believed what He says about Himself, I believe it would change the way we live.

If we believed He loves us deeply, and He’s all knowing (omniscient), all powerful (omnipotent), and present everywhere (omnipresent), why would we fear our future? Our unknowns, our situations, our struggles, our weaknesses, our battles?

I want to encourage you to seek God out. Get close to Him. Let Him love on you, because as much as I love my sweet silly cat, His love for us is so much greater. I always want to be with Kitty. And God always longs to be with us.

Grettel Loney is the main editor for the918. She loves to be involved at her church, First United Methodist in downtown Tulsa. Grettel enjoys playing the guitar, reading, and of course, taking pictures of Kitty. Check out Kitty’s pictures on her Facebook page. Some of Grettel’s other work for the918 include Letters to My Son, My Journey: From Grace to Gracie, and My Journey with Chronic Pain Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.