Scaredy Cat

Moving to a new house has completely terrified my otherwise impervious, 12-pound tabby cat. As soon as the sun comes up and the noises in the house begin to tickle his feline ears, he runs for cover, not to be seen again until the rooms are once again dark and quiet.

Occasionally, he ventures forth, tentatively placing one paw in front of another down one of the many flights of stairs in the new split-level. Eyes big, whiskers alert, Colby Jack has been a true scaredy cat. It can be clearly concluded . . . he detests change, detests unfamiliarity, detests learning the nooks and crannies of a new home, even if that home is much larger than the one he vacated.

This morning, as I perched on the couch with my tea and read the words of Psalm 119, I also kept up a constant soothing banter for the benefit of my cat, attempting to coax him out of his fear. Then it struck me . . .God’s been speaking the same soothing words to me. Yet, I’m a scaredy cat.

God has placed me in new places – larger, nicer, more secure places – but I am afraid, detesting the change, the unfamiliarity, the vulnerability. Yes, there are many unknowns, mostly financial, but also emotional and physical. I’m not sure how we are going to make it over the next several years of existing on just my teacher’s salary. I’m not sure if the new, experimental medical treatments will actually prove helpful or be another disappointment, as my body is once again asked to respond to something unfamiliar.

Yet, Christ has kept us His soothing banter, trying to lure me out of the corners where I hide and the beds under which I crawl.

List to these words from Psalm 119 . . .

“With your very own hands you formed me; now breathe your wisdom over me so I can understand you. When they see me waiting, expecting your Word, those who fear you will take heart and be glad. I can see now, God, that your decisions are right; your testing has taught me what’s true and right.  Oh, love me—and right now!—hold me tight! just the way you promised. Now comfort me so I can live, really live; your revelation is the tune I dance to.”

Amen.