A Tale of Four Kitties

This is a true tale of four cats. For the sake of this writing I shall name the cats for distinction purposes according to their ways and habits. First we have Sin-bad and Carnal Cat, two large gray and white beasts. They roam about with cocky domineering attitudes looking for sport in terrorizing other cats in the neighborhood. They appear to be healthy, if their size speaks to that, but given the skulking about they do for food, perhaps they are feral street cats. Then we have Weak-n-Whiny, a ball of dull, shaggy long orange hair that decidedly says Weak-n-Whiny is homeless. Last but not least we have Skitty Kitty. She’s a small frightened dark chocolate calico with small sprinkles of orange all over.

Skitty Kitty started hanging around on our front deck when she thought no one was a threat. My Honey and I decided to feed the small critter because she did not appear to be accustomed to people; therefore we assumed she was wild. She was small and very skittish, running for cover under our deck and house at the slightest provocation. In the beginning she was almost more a shadow of a cat because we merely caught glimpses of her as she disappeared below. We were not sure of gender until it became apparent that Skitty Kitty was going to be a mother. Wining her confidence was a slow, tedious process. Each week she seemed more confident and would run to the door when I approached with food; finally, she felt comfortable enough to stay on the porch with me as long as I didn’t move quickly or simply sat and had my breakfast while she ate hers. No touching allowed.

Kittens were born, Skitty Kitty reverted back to her more skittish ways and the ‘boys’ became more aggressive. We chase them off at every opportunity to protect her food and kittens. One day the sad sight of a dead kitten was waiting for me when I took her food out. It seemed rather large for its age and there was a nasty large puncture wound in its neck. This seemed to really throw her world into a tizzy. She became wilder and could be seen chasing about or hiding from Sin-Bad and Carnal Cat. Weak-n-Whiny began to cry louder and with more persistence. It was sad and disappointing to see the downward slide. We do not know if there are more kittens dead or alive. We will continue to feed her to insure her health and that of any kittens. It would be great if she came to trust us; my husband wants to touch her so much, he can hardly stand it.

The big picture in this tale of four cats is that it reflects the life and ways of so many people. They try to live life on their own terms but will not hesitate to indulge in the bounty provided by others, a sense of entitlement to that which others have worked to acquire. Perhaps, like Skitty Kitty, they will move in a little closer to God’s provision as long as nothing is expected in return. At times, she shows up at my door rather peeved that her food isn’t waiting for her. “Hello, God…aren’t you suppose to be looking out for me, providing for my every need? Where is it? I want it now!” When a life tragedy occurs people go crazy and act wild…”See, I knew I couldn’t trust you!” and revert to running from the hand of God rather than reaching out to the only One that really can help. They may run to booze, drugs, sin and other people, but God? Not so much.

In life there will always be Sin-Bad and Carnal Cats chasing after you. Sin-Bad and Carnal Cat will come up on our deck but they know when our presence is evident they have to leave. Weak-n-Whiny people will always be around bemoaning their fate loudly for all to hear. If my husband and I are willing to love and provide for a wild little cat we can not even touch, then how much more God will care for His people? She knows she will be safe in our world, on our deck and in our presence….yet still she hangs back. Is this so different from people and God? In His presence we are safe, loved, find provision and protection but when we run in the wild we face sin and carnal people ready to cause harm and steal our provisions as we endure the endless whine of those that know no other way to live. Safe under His watchful eye or wild with cause to cry; which choice will you make this day?