The Wrong Cat

(Disclaimer:  Although not graphic, the following blog may be disturbing to animal lovers)

A few years ago, a black and white stray cat had five kittens in our hydrangea bush.  After fostering her and the litter for Animal Rescue Foundation, we kept two of the kittens (one tabby gray, one fully black).  Both have always been very docile and loving.  They were made to live outside due to their potty habits indoors, but they were fixed and have been pampered greatly by the six of us throughout their lifetime.  The children would even make them beds next to theirs or carry them in their purses when they were kittens.  The cats became comfortable being carted around in cotton pillow cases and would relax and fall asleep on jousled walks with the kids.  I tell you all of this to let you know they were a treasured part of our family.

Driving  my children to school on Friday, I saw a fully black cat lying on the shoulder of our road, a few mailboxes down from ours.  I was saddenned, and I knew I would have to investigate later.  After returning home, I was not able to locate our "Sammy"  and decided to go have a look-see.  Convinced it must be him (even having the few white hairs on his shoulders), I became very upset and I was moved to tears.  I was mad at his stupidity and sad at the loss all at once.  I found myself actually shaking at the events (some not mentioned for the sake of grace). 

When I returned from the road, Sammy was waiting for me in the driveway.  I hugged and loved on him, and he behaved as if my level of affection gave him alarm.  Although the cat from the road LOOKED like mine, it was the wrong cat (later I found the real 'owner' that had been feeding the stray).

The thought went off in me light dynamite ignited:  how quickly our emotions are affected by our thinking!  I had allowed myself to be physically affected by the thought of loss, but it was actually a false loss.  With further caution to those sensitive to animals, I must tell you that I had already loaded the cat from the road into a container in my car.  Being family, I was going to bury him on my property.  Realizing it was not mine, I could not figure out what to do with it.  The elderly "owner" did not want to strain to dig a hole, and I was not willing to dump him on the side of the road.  Until I decided to do the neighborly thing to dig and provide a resting place, I literally rode around with him in a container in my car.  This may sound a bit far-fetched, but I was in limbo.  I had taken ownership of something that was not mine.  However, I was learning a lesson.  How often do we drive around with dead and false thinking riding in our minds and hearts?  Surrender is far more simple, but it can sometimes seem more uncomfortable to unload the cargo than it is to just keep driving. 

We cannot allow our false thinking to continue.  God did not intend for us to ride in limbo day by day or proceed on in the same dead or incorrect thought patterns.  It is time to find the truth for our lives, for every situation.  What is the worst case scenario?  It is that God will take care of us and teach us through every pleasant or unpleasant situation, if we will surrender and allow Him to be the Lord of our lives.  Heaven is waiting on our Nestea plunge of surrender, allowing all the thoughts to be loosed from us and trampled on by the Heavenly hosts.  Today is a day to push out the untrue.  Delight in the truth of His love, your value, and His hand of provision.

"Bring every thought captive..."

What thoughts will you bring captive today?  What truth is your exchange?