Lessons from My Cats

Some days I wish I had the life of my cats. Okay... I know that sounds weird. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that some days I wish I could be more like my cats.

A stranger who happened to casually observe my Tobias and Theodore might say that they're lazy or spoiled (no to the first, yes to the second). They are far from lazy. Why do I say this? Because they excel at doing the things that God created them to do: hunting (bugs, mice, strings,  moths, various invisible critters), soothing people with their purring and providing household security. Yeah, you'd better believe they let me know whenever someone - be they two-legged, four-legged, or winged - comes into the yard or onto the porch! They're also passed masters at sleeping. Some folks equate this with laziness, but I believe it's more of a therapeutic practice. A sleeping cat spreads feelings of calm and relaxation to everyone that encounters him or her.

Theo and Tobi do all of these things very well. They also don't waste time trying to be something God didn't create them to be. (Okay, they occasionally get into the kitchen garbage like a dog, but that's only when there's something especially tempting such as chicken bones in there.) They trust me to feed them, clean their litter box, protect them and take care of them. They know that I love them.

So, how would I like to be more like my cats? I'd like to spend more time focusing on being the woman God created me to be and less time comparing myself to others.

I'd also like to use the talents and abilities He gave me more, and not waste them.

Finally, I would like to be more consistent in trusting God to take meet all my needs. He has never let me down and has blessed me more than I could ever ask or deserve. I'm going to take a lesson from my cats  and sit in God's lap for a while. 

Spring is here!!

Okay, I know some would say it's a bit early to be crowing about the arrival of spring. Nevertheless, the weather in our area has been rather warm and breezy over the past several days and it's hard not to think that perhaps the season of robins, baby birds, baby squirrels and planting new things in the garden has arrived. Actually, the robins really have arrived. I saw one from my living room window the other day and almost burst into song with the joy of it. I'm looking forward to really being able to get out and have fun in the yard and the gardens.

I have a feeling that, if plants could talk, the ones in both of my gardens would be saying "It's about time!" After a year of illness and surgery on my part, both the herb and vegetable gardens are in a serious state of neglect (especially the vegetable garden!) It will take some serious work to get them back into shape, however, hope springs eternal!

I've sent an sos to some colleagues and asked for help, so hopefully at least some parts of the labor will go a bit more smoothly than before. We'll see!

Meme me me me ... What?

I got a good laugh recently when one of my colleagues told me about the Ryan Gosling meme craze that seems to be sweeping through several professional communities via the internet. It's going through the geeks of Silicon Valley, the economists, the political science/campaign trail workers and, yes, even the library world.

I've never been much of a "joiner," but this one was just too good to pass up. So .... here's my contribution:

I wonder what Mr. Gosling thinks about all of this?

Fear and Fancy Cars

I know, I missed a couple of days of "Thanks" at the end of November! It's been a rather crazy week or two. Here's the end of the Thanks-giving list:


30th - Today I'm thankful that God enables me to live a life without fear. Not long ago I met someone who is undoubtedly the most fearful person I've ever met in my life. The more I got to know her, the more I discovered just how many fears she has. She is afraid of so many things that I wonder how she's able to function at all. I think it must be excruciating to be so bound by such a multitude of fears and to not know the freedom that Christ brings to those who put their trust in Him. Needless to say, I'm praying for this person!
29th - Today I'm thankful for automobiles that work. I drive a small SUV and, while it was most definitely an unexpected but necessary purchase last December, it's been a good car. It's not overly fancy, with all the "bells and whistles" extras, but it's stylish, a nice color, reliable and good on gas. I also like the fact that I don't have to bend down to get into it or feel like I'm on my knees when I get out of it! It's much easier on the muscles and joints than my former vehicle. I still need to think of an appropriate name for it, though... Any suggestions?

Blood, football and comfy couches

28th: Today I'm thankful for blood. That's it, blood -  the human kind. I spent several hours at my local Blood Connection donation center, doing aphoresis platelet donation. I had the time to think about how wonderful it is that God created us with this amazing fluid inside our bodies that is so incredibly complex and does so much to keep our bodies going and healthy. It also amazes me that there are doctors, nurses and other medical personnel who know how to take blood out of one person, separate it into its parts and put some parts back into the donor, but keep other parts to put into other people to help heal them. Awesome!

27th: Today I'm thankful for comfortable couches. It's Sunday afternoon and I'm at home relaxing with my two furry kitty boys! Need I say more?

26th: Today I'm thankful for my eyes and my sense of vision. There are many things in the world that can be experienced and enjoyed with the other senses, but I truly enjoyed being able to watch as both of my favorite college football teams trounced their arch-rivals today!

Saucy Wrens and Scrawny plants

I finally had the time yesterday to plant the Violas, Peppermint and Stevia plants that I purchased more than a week ago. I'm going to have to work extra hard to make sure that they survive, since it took me so long to get them in the soil. I think I'll have to put some extra effort (and fertilizer) into the Stevia - it's looking a bit scrawny and sickly right now. Guess it will put my green thumb to the test! We'll see.....

Wow! I knew I was a bit behind in my list, but didn't realize I was THAT behind! Here's the update:
25th: I'm thankful for all of the beautiful songbirds that visit my garden and porch. Thus far this week, I've seen Tufted Titmice, Blackcap Chickadees, several varieties of finches, Catbirds and some very adventurous and saucy Carolina Wrens!
24th: I'm thankful that I have a mother and two grandmothers who are/were excellent cooks and taught me and my sisters to cook, as well!
23rd: I'm thankful for God's financial provision. I may not have all that I want, but I DO have all that I need.
22nd: I'm thankful that God created such a wondrous array of vegetables, fruits, herbs and other plants and that He gave me the ability to plant and grow them.
21st: I'm thankful for my country, the USA, a nation that was founded on the principle of freedom OF religion - not freedom FROM religion.
20th: I'm thankful for the group of single adults at my church who are striving to know and serve God.
19th: I'm thankful for God's protection of all our college football players today. Big game, no injuries.
18th: I'm thankful for the generosity of family members in helping me get a more reliable vehicle.
17th: I'm thankful for my coworkers and their generosity with "pre-Thanksgiving" cooking.



 

 Today I have received a couple of very good reminders of how the Lord tends my life like a careful, patient gardener nurtures and nourishes the plants in her garden. Sometimes the care the gardener has to give is pleasant, such as giving a good, revitalizing watering, tilling in fertilizer or laying a thick layer of mulch to keep out the frost and chill of autumn or winter.

At other times, the care may come in the form of uprooting the plant and moving it to a new location or even giving it a painful pruning. Ok, I know that plants can't actually feel pain, but you get the picture.

The point is, God takes care of those of us who are His children just like a master gardener cares for their plants. Someone who is truly a committed gardener will spend a tremendous amount of time, attention and energy in the entire process of planning, planting and tending their garden. They do what is necessary to improve the health of the garden overall and the individual plants, so that the plants will be healthy, beautiful and able to produce a wonderful harvest.

In my Bible study for this week, the question was posed, "what season are you in right now?" I feel like I've been in a season of pruning for a while now. It seems to me that the Lord is working to prune out things from my personality and my life that He has deemed unnecessary or harmful. I can't say that it's a pleasant experience, but I'm holding on to the promise that, when it's done, I'll be a healthier and more productive person.

My Thanksgiving List, continued

16 November: I'm thankful for rain - especially good, soaking rainstorms that give the plants in my garden much-needed nourishment!
15 November: Today I'm thankful to God for bringing my best friend through another year of life and giving her the strength to persevere through difficult family relationships, the death of her father and cleaning out the family home.