PROVING HOURS
Written by Deborah.
11.18.09
It was 7:43 Am when I saw it in the road. I was on my home from taking my children to the bus stop pick-up point and had opted to take a different route home.
It looked clean, almost pristine and although it lay deathly still, I had seen it before in someone’s yard. There, lying in the road was a beautiful Chocolate Point Siamese cat. It was obviously well fed and therefore well loved by someone in the immediate area. A cat like that doesn’t wander too far from the dinner dish. I drove around it, as if driving around the deceased would preserve its life. As I continued towards home, the mental, emotional and spiritual battle began.
“Stop Deborah and go pick up the cat.”
No, I’m in a hurry—I have a lot of projects to get done today.
“Turn around and get the cat out of the road.”
No, what’s the point—it’s already dead.
“Stop driving forward, go back and remove the cat from the road.”
No, it may be dirty or buggy or maybe ill.
“Foolishness! Go pick up the cat.”
No, someone may accuse me of hitting it and killing it—and I didn’t do it.
“Go back. Obey.”
No, I’ve got my own cats to feed, stuff to do and I’ve had plenty of cats killed by cars. Nobody came and picked up any of my cats. No, I’m going home.
As I drove another 20 blocks home, I argued with Righteousness and agreed with disobedience. I was angry, because I was in a wrestling match and apparently losing. I was crying, because I knew the pain someone was going to soon feel. I was annoyed, because I had other stuff to do, things to accomplish, places to go and people to see. Hey, I’ve got a “life”, ya know. I arrived home, unlocked the front gate, closed the gate, locked the gate, pulled the car under the carport, unlocked the house, took off my coat, and began to review my “list” for the day. But, ALL I could see in my mind’s eye was that beautiful cat lying in the road.
And that became the pivotal moment of the proving hour. I knew in that moment that nothing else would matter for the rest of the day if I refused to obey—now. I also knew from previous experience (when I’d chosen to disobey Righteousness), that this regret would chase after me for years to come.
“Obey and live in His peace. Disobey and lose His abundance.”
Irritatingly, I grabbed my coat, picked up my car keys and started back out the door. I was irritated at myself; at my carnal nature that willingly chooses disobedience, rather than submission to Obedience. I’d allowed the flesh to dictate my actions, and the flesh begs to disobey. Quickly, I unlocked the gate, pulled through, closed the gate, and zoomed down the street. My prayer became urgent.
“Please Lord; let that cat still be lying in the street without further damage. Please, get me there before it’s too late. I’m listening and I’m obeying you now, please protect that cat and let it be unscathed by the cruelty of the world.”
As I semi-raced back to the Chocolate Point cat, I thought about how it would be a hard sell to a police officer, if I got stopped for speeding. However, in haste the flesh wanted to break one law to fulfill another. Thus, a new mental battle ensued.
“What if I’m too late? What if my disobedience brought about a greater consequence? Oh, when will we be delivered from this ‘dead body’?”
Romans 7:14-25
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
“Is that it God? Is that the spot where it was? Is it harmed any further? Oh, please don’t let it have been hit again or crushed or mutilated in any way. Please Lord, please.”
I pulled up alongside the Siamese cat and stopped the van. I flung open the driver’s door without regard to stopping traffic. My focus was on this beloved pet that had graced someone’s lap, drank milk from great grammas’ saucer and had purred its way into the owner’s heart.
“Thank you God, thank you. It’s not harmed any further. Thank you for protecting this furry little creature.”
I picked up a truly lovely cat, howbeit dead, and it was still limber. It must have been hit moments before I first saw it, just 20 minutes earlier. It felt like a 14 lb. cat (cat owners know those kinds of facts) and I carried it over to the yard in front of the only house in sight. I laid it down gently close to the sidewalk, and curled its body into the shape of a contented sleeping cat. Its fur was lush and thick, the Chocolate Point coloring was perfect, and it was an admirable specimen. But more importantly it had been a companion for a human soul. If it belonged to the home owners on the other side of the sidewalk, they would find their cat shortly—and I knew there would be tears and heartache on their agenda. Every pet lover wants to grieve over a “whole” pet rather than a decimated one. I knew how much it would mean for the unknown pet owner to pick up their furry feline in its entirety. Of course, God knew that important detail and so He was at work to teach me obedience once again. As I closed the van door, a wave of peace and sadness washed over me.
I had obeyed Righteousness. Now I could go forward with my day, resting in His peace. I mused and pondered these events until Obedience directed me once again. So, here I sit writing about an expired cat in the road, to share lessons about living life for the One who created it.
We ought to obey God rather than men. Even if the “men” is we.
We ought to walk in love towards others, regardless of whom they are or where they live.
We ought to pray for God’s healing deliverance for others who are in pain.
We ought to think less about ourselves and more about serving Him.
The world’s axis doesn’t run through “me”.
Our needs are more abundantly met in service to others.
Following in the steps of Jesus Christ means to walk in love.
Walking is a verb which connotes action.
Children aren’t the answer; pets aren’t the answer; a career isn’t the answer, popularity isn’t the answer, the American dream isn’t the answer, solidarity isn’t the answer, and Christian Adoption isn't the answer.
Our answers to all of life’s questions are found in the written Word of God. We think the answers are too simple, because we make life complicated.
Before there was you and me, there was God.
When you and I are gone, there will still be God.
Every time we obey Righteousness, we’re rewarded, either in this life or the one to come.
We say that we are His,
And He is ours.
Deeds are the proof of that,
And these are the proving hours.
AnonymousFor more information please read Right Now.
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