Me & My Shadow

I have a cat who's name is Koko. The first time I pulled her out of the cage at the Humane Society she “stole my heart”. What I thought to be a black long haired kitten, turned out to be deep chocolate brown when a beam of sunshine from the nearest window cast light on her fur. I held her in my arms and she placed her little paw on my face and began licking my face. Since then she's been my little shadow and a real “kiss up”, begging for pieces of my bagel with cream cheese in the morning and anything else that is mine. From day one she has felt that she has “squatter's rights”. We truly do have a connection. She has learned how to tell me what she wants by a meow or two then tilting her head and turning her eyes in the direction of the kitchen or the door and then turning her eyes back to me. I know... it sounds like she's almost human.

Last summer our oldest son wanted a dog so badly that he saved his money and purchased a “snorty”, curly tailed, goggle eyed Pug that he hand picked... or did the puppy pick him?  We named him Toby and he has officially become the family clown. Once again we have been swept off our feet by another pet in the family who happens to be as much work as a two year old in the house. He spends most of his day with me. I feed him, train him, talk to him, cuddle and hug him, reward him for good behaviour and discipline him just as though he were a child. He is my newest little shadow and while Koko is not forgotten, she spends most of her days bathing in the sun or curled up near by just so that she can keep one eye on Toby.

When I take Toby out for a walk, Koko often follows us. Always 10 or 20 paces behind, she stops to gaze at us as she waits for us to move a few more steps ahead. Every once and a while she tries to surprise me by running ahead of me and flopping down on the ground, directly in my pathway. She then proceeds to roll on her back, flaunting in front of me for my attention.

The way that Koko follows me and gazes as I walk with Toby makes me wonder how God might chase after us for our attention. When we are engaged in other affections that put Him in second place, how patiently He watches and waits for a chance to surprise us. In some endearing way He wants to show us that He is still there waiting, longing to spend time with us. I used to spend time with Koko in the morning by sharing a bagel with cream cheese and now my first duty of the day is to make sure that Toby gets outside to do his “business” first thing in the morning. I wonder if she feels “put out” to some degree?

Does your daily “business” take priority in a way that steals away precious moments in your relationship with The Lord?  In order for me to understand Koko's little “eye signals”, it required that I spend time with her.  I took the time to get to know her.

In the same way, to understand God, to know Him and His heart for you and His plans for you, then you must spend time with Him and purposefully listen to hear His voice, fellowship with Him so that you may receive His direction and wisdom for your life.

Don't let the “business”of the day take you away from truly knowing the heart of God and His Love for you each day.  Do you and God need to be re-acquainted? Do you need a more meaningful and deeper relationship with Him?

Slow down and take time to ponder these words today and focus your heart on Him with these inspiring videos below.

	Your love Oh Lord is better than wine. Song of Solomon 1:2
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