by Max Brennan, United Methodist Pastor of
St. Matthew and Eastern Hills United Methodist Churches
St. Matthew -- Sunday 11:00 A.M. -- Thursday 6:00 P.M.
off Meadowbrook - 1 short block east of Sandy, turn right to 2414 Hitson
Eastern Hills -- Sunday 9:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M.
off Meadowbrook - Jenson to Wilson - 1509 Wilson Road
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As you may know, my old cat Gooseberry -- the #1 great cat of all times -- is dead. What you may not know is that I still have two other black cats: Squirt and Dirt.
The names of all my cats tend to reflect the fact that they all came to my house uninvited. I was not happy to receive them. I love cats. But I don't need cats. If I did have the chance to choose my own cat, I would like to have a yellow one. But I didn't choose my cats. They chose me -- and they won't let a yellow cat on the place!
I want to talk to you about Dirt -- so named because when you talk to him, he gets so excited he will lie down and roll in the dirt. He is a beautiful short-haired black cat, but often covered in dirt or grass straw from his rolls on the ground.
And Dirt's a scardy-cat. He's afraid of everyone but me -- and at first, he was afraid of me. He showed up in my yard three years ago, a few months old, starved -- and scared. He wouldn't let anyone near him. I wasn't going to a have this. If a cat is going to eat my food, he is going to be friendly! Anyway, I could see how much this cat wanted to be petted. When I talked to him from a distance, he would roll on the ground with delight.
I knew I could win his trust, given time -- and patience. But it was slow going. At first, I merely insisted on standing close when I gave him his food. The slightest movement would send him into the bushes. Then I left my hand on the bowl when I fed him -- keeping it there motionless as he ate -- sometimes for several minutes. Then came the day I touched his nose with my finger. And the next day I was able to rub with my finger under his chin -- and that was it. I don't know who was happier -- the cat or me.
When I talk to children about Dirt, I tell them that God is after us like I was after Dirt -- seeking our love, our trust -- with infinite patience and that amazing grace. But we run from God like Dirt ran from me. Let's stop running. The farther we are from God, the greater our fear, our pain, and our insecurity. Some of you who read this are not in church these days. The time has come to change that. Let God love you. This is the way out of the fear. |
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This file last modified October 8, 2000
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