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Resources - Meditations
Our new kitten
Rev. John Terhorst
We have a new kitten. It was a gift, and arrived at an appropriate time.
Our new kitten has the name ‘Mo’. The good friend from whom we received
the kitten was responsible for the name. She had attempted to wash a
mark from above the kitten’s nose. Then she realised it was part of the
cat’s colouring. The name ‘Mo’ will do fine.
Like all kittens, Mo has discovered many things since moving to our
home. After gaining a sense of familiarity with the kitchen and dining
room, we allowed him to venture into the lounge room. But only when we
were there! Now he has progressed to spending some of the day outside in
the fresh air. Although still very frightened about being outside, he
has found a number of hiding places.
Mo, like all kittens, and most small children, has experienced a steep
learning curve. Some forms of behaviour are acceptable. Others are not.
The learning curve is not yet complete. A stern word was initially
sufficient to curb unacceptable behaviour. When that ceased being
enough, we had to move toward him with the intention of physically
curbing his bad behaviour. Then we received some very sound advice from
our son, John, also a cat lover. A water container with a spray jet! Now
when we sit down in the evening, and the cat begins to play with the
curtains for example, discipline is swift. He receives a stern ‘no’.
When that has no effect, a spray with from the water bottle. Because
cats have a dislike of water, it is an extremely effective means of
correcting bad behaviour.
One of our kitten’s worst habits is to bite and chew on electrical
leads. He can reach and play with the extension lead operating the
refrigerator. He occupies himself while we are eating breakfast with
that activity. When we are in the lounge room, it is the lead of the
television set. A quick squirt of water from the bottle does the trick.
We think he is learning.
I suppose our kitten is sometimes left wondering. Why am I being
disciplined? I have asked God that same question. I do not always
receive an answer from God. What I need to do increasingly is learn to
trust God, even when I do not understand. After all, “For my thoughts
are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the
LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher
than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Is.55:8,9). That
text makes particular sense when I think of the cat biting our power
leads. The kitten will never understand the concept of electricity. The
kitten will never understand the potential danger of electricity. We
have to discipline him, but we are not able to explain why. And if we
did, he would not understand.
We read in the Bible, “My son, do not make light of the Lord's
discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord
disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a
son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For
what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined
(and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children
and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who
disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we
submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us
for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our
good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at
the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of
righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
(Heb.12:5-11).
The kitten does not enjoy the spray of water anymore than we enjoy God’s
discipline. I have two options. I can let the kitten chew on the
extension cord and risk being electrocuted. Or I can continue to
discipline him. I suppose God also has those two options. I want our
kitten to live. God wants us to share in His holiness.
A Prayer:
Dear loving Father, I do not always understand your discipline, but
teach me to trust you more so that I do not need to. Amen.
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