Come-Along Cat
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:3 (NIV)
Once upon a time (many years ago) I had a green-cheeked conure, MaGee, who loved going with me when I walked the dogs (Mr. Grumbles and Mercy, my boxer). I can still see and hear him as plain as day as his little talons held tightly to my shoulder. He imitated numerous bird calls and was really quite good at it. I did not worry about him getting away because his feathers were trimmed and he couldn’t fly. Heather Jepsen (All God’s Creatures) has a similar kind of story but hers features what she learned from her come-along cat.
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Every morning, I take my dogs for a walk. Off we go, the three of us, around the neighborhood for a daily stroll. Sometimes even my cat, Kiki, comes along.
KiKi is a wild little thing. She prefers to come and go by her own schedule. She knows where she can find safety and food, but she also knows that she is free to wander as she likes.
Some mornings, she decides she wants to walk with me and the dogs. She won’t walk right next to us; instead, she is about 15 paces behind. She will meow and call for me, and when I turn and look at her, she runs to catch up with us. The further we get from home, the more nervous she becomes. I can tell she is torn. She wants to stay with me, but she is afraid to leave behind the safety and security of familiar territory.
I can feel this struggle in my own faith life sometimes. God will be calling me to follow in new and daring ways, but I am hesitant. It can take a lot to make me step out of my comfort zone in faith. Like Kiki, I want to stick close to the familiar, but I also want to follow where God leads me out in the big world.
Kiki can trust that I won’t let her get hurt. So, too, I can trust God to lead me on right paths. Just need to find the courage to get out the door.
He brings my wandering spirit back when I forsake His ways; He leads me, for His mercy’s sake, in paths of truth and grace. —Isaac Watts
Gracious God, thank You for all creatures. Help us to be alert for the lessons they have for us. Teach us to follow Your lead. AMEN