This isn’t a very exciting picture. It’s my cat, Buddy, snuggled up against me on the couch. However, it took six months to get this shot!
It all began back in the fall of 2016. I adopted a 7-year-old rescue cat that I named “Larry Mulligan.” Larry has gray hair, a big belly and a bad hip and they found him on a golf course. “Larry Mulligan” seemed like the perfect name for this cat who is getting a second chance in life. (BTW, he’s sexy and he knows it!)
After about a year, I adopted a 6-year-old cat to be a companion to Larry Mulligan. Hence the name, “Buddy”. The veterinarian at the shelter was familiar with both cats and she felt like they would get along, so I just took her word for it. It wasn’t until I was signing the papers that I learned that Buddy had been rescued from the home of a hoarder where he had been living with 40 other cats!
When I brought him home, Buddy scurried under the bed where he stayed most of the next two weeks, only to come out occasionally to eat or use the litter box. Any time he saw me, he ran and hid. After the first week, Larry and Buddy began to get along and very soon they were playing together, grooming each other and sleeping together.
I kept trying to pet Buddy, but anytime I drew near to him, he ran. I was disappointed that he wasn’t a cuddler like Larry, but reasoned that “I got the cat to be Larry’s friend, not mine, so it’s okay.” Then one day, I remembered that Buddy had come from a house of 40 cats. He had probably never had a human pet him! His primary experience with human beings had been the Humane Society workers who captured him and took him to the shelter, where another set of humans (all with the best intentions) examined him, gave him shots and put him in a cage. No wonder he wanted nothing to do with me!
However, Buddy was curious. One evening, I noticed him across the room watching me pet Larry as we sat together on the couch. I patted the cushion beside me to invite him over, but he ran. This went on for a while until Buddy became brave enough to sit on the coffee table to observe. Same routine: I would talk to Buddy, who was sitting within arm’s reach, and tell him, “I just want to be nice to you”. But as soon as I reached out my hand to pet him, he ran. Eventually, he became brave enough to sit on the opposite end of the couch, until finally….one evening….he ventured close enough that I could pet him! He flinched and ran…but then he came back! This dance continued for weeks until he finally relaxed enough to snuggle next to me. He enjoyed being stroked and petted. Even though he still would not let me pick him up or hold him, this was major progress! That’s why I took the photo at the top of this blog!
Then! Eight months after his adoption, we had the big breakthrough! I was sitting on the deck for my morning quiet time, and he came and sat down on the table beside me.
He surprised me by trying to step down on to my lap! I moved my journal out of the way, and he backed off. Not interested. I put my journal back down on my lap, and then he came and sat down! This was an all time first! He had NEVER sat on my lap before! But I also thought it was funny because he had to sit on my journal. Still had to maintain a bit of separation. I was very excited about this!! It was a major “break through” for my skittish cat! Ha!
Since that day, Buddy has learned that being close to me is really nice! He likes to snuggle and let me scratch his head and back. He seeks me out and will lay on my computer keyboard for more attention.
He has learned that he has a home where he is loved and cared for and doesn’t need to be afraid or hide under the bed anymore! Life is good!
However, through all of this, it occurred to me that there is a spiritual metaphor here: From Day One, all that I have wanted to do is to give Buddy a good life here in my home. I don’t want him to be harmed. I just want to care and provide for him and make him feel loved. But for months—other than food—he wouldn’t allow me to come close. Because of bad experiences with other humans, he was afraid of me. It was only after watching Larry and observing the gentleness of our interactions that he was finally willing to take a chance with me. Once he allowed himself to get close, he wanted more! He learned that it feels good to lay close to his special human and let her scratch him.
Similarly, many people have had a bad experience with religion. They confuse the man-made rules with God’s rules and think that God could never love them. They have been hurt by so called “religious people” telling them they do not measure up—that they are an abomination to God. But all the while, God is standing near them saying, “Please come closer to Me. I just want to bless you.” Hopefully, when these hurting people encounter a true Christian—someone just like them who has a close relationship with Christ—they may just observe and think, “I want that!” Just like Buddy watched the gentle interactions between Larry Mulligan and me, someone may see the peace and joy of a true Christian and want to draw a little bit closer to Christ—desiring to feel that same peace.
Did you know that God doesn’t like “religion” either? In Mark 7:6-7 and Matthew 15:8-9, Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah 29:13 when he says, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me …. their teachings are but rules taught by men.” That’s right. So many (but not all) of the “rules” that religious people use to make you feel guilty and unworthy are not in the Bible. They are “just rules taught by men.” This is not to say that all religion is bad. However—and this is very important to know—Your worth and your salvation is not determined by whether you were confirmed in a certain church or whether or not you’ve been baptized. When the thief hanging on the cross next to Jesus, asked, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom,” ( Luke 23:42) did Jesus say, “I’m sorry, but you have not been confirmed in a church or baptized, so I can’t help you.” Of course not! He said, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” ( Luke 23:43) He loved the thief the same as He loves everyone, including you and me. His promise to the thief is the same promise He gives to you and me .
You are God’s child. His creation. He knew you before you were ever born ( Psalm 139) He loves you and wants to have a relationship with you. Just like I reached out to Buddy saying, “I want to be nice to you,” Your Heavenly Father is standing beside you, lovingly saying, “I long to be gracious to you.” ( Isaiah 30:18) Won’t you please let Him? Come a little closer……Say, “Jesus, I want to know Your unconditional Love. I want to feel Your Peace.”