You’re just like that cat!

This morning the LORD woke me up with the idea of writing blog posts.  I didn’t realize it was Him.  I simply woke up thinking about writing and laid in bed researching how I could get paid to do it.  It wasn’t long before I was clicking on links and creating a resume on Indeed.

Did I consult the LORD during my three hours of browsing?

No, I didn’t.

Have you ever found yourself in unforeseen circumstances and jumped straight to the mental arena to figure out what to do about it?  That’s where I find myself today.

I’m in my second week at home after an e-bike accident that broke my left pinky, sprained my right hand, bruised my tailbone and broke my right foot sentencing me to six weeks at home.  No driving and no working.

After completing my Indeed profile, exhausting myself looking at writing opportunities, reading what different organizations are looking for and being told by Indeed that perhaps I should consider a career in Door Dashing, I headed to the kitchen to do a few dishes before retiring to my recliner in the living room for the day.

I have now been sitting in my living room for two hours straight listening to my cat standing at the top of the basement stairs crying and hoping someone will let her downstairs.  I had decided to think of it like the hum of an air conditioner and ignore it because she is determined to cry until someone opens that door. 

There are only two things she does in the basement:

1) Go to the bathroom in inappropriate places. 

2) Climb into the drop ceiling getting stuck and crying for hours until we help her down. 

I am NOT letting her down there. 

My 17-year-old just got home from school, and has been occasionally yelling from her bedroom, “MANGO, STOPPPP!”  This is not typical behavior for Mango.

I’m laughing because now my daughter is in her room mimicking every cry.  I wish you could hear it because you’d laugh too!  I guess it’s like the old adage, “if you can’t beat them, join them.”  

I was in a conversation with the LORD but very distracted by the cat crying.  I said, “My cat is really annoying this morning.  She is standing at the top of the stairs crying and crying because she wants to get in the basement, probably to get stuck in the drop ceiling so she can cry until we help her get down.   She has plenty of food.  I think she's just bored.”

In my spirit I heard the LORD whisper, “She’s doing EXACTLY what you are doing.”

God has made it clear to me that He is the one who opens doors He wants opened and He is the one who can keep them closed.  I can stand at the door pawing at the door and crying for it to open, but if by some chance someone opens a door and I sneak in past them without being noticed like Mango sometimes does, I’m just going to get myself into a predicament where I will end up downstairs rather than upstairs STILL crying for someone to rescue me.

Are there areas of your life where you are standing at a door you are not meant to go through crying for someone to open the door? 

Are there relationships God never intended for your life that you are begging Him to let work out? 

Are you seeking out job opportunities without seeking His hand to provide them?

Are you dealing with money like I am from a poverty mindset, not trusting God’s hand for provision?

There is a saying that you can’t steer a parked car.  It’s important to be making movement so that you give God something to direct, but there are times in life where He is whispering, “be still,” but we refuse.

I’m reminded of Isaiah 30:15.

                 
              For thus says the LORD God, the Holy One of Israel;

               “In returning and rest you shall be saved;

               In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”

               But you would not.

Dear Heavenly Father,

God.  You are the Maker of the heavens and the earth. Creator and sustainer of ALL that lives, and here I am, a little earthen clay pot, giving suggestions for what You can do with me and my life. 

My suggestions fall so short of Your glory.   I struggle to lay down my soul: my thoughts, feelings and desires.  I struggle to find rest in this short season You are giving me to rest. 

Forgive me for my impatience as You are working to form in me that which I will need to sustain me in the coming seasons of my life. 

Thank you for offering me a season of quiet and rest.  Forgive my rebellion as I have entertained moving forward in my own will and ways.  Forgive me for viewing this season as being sentenced to six weeks at home.  This six weeks is a gift that I don’t want to wish away.

I pray for my brothers and sisters who are reading this post and wrestling in self-will as I have been today.  Thank You that through the power of Holy Spirit, we have all the grace and wisdom we need to navigate this life in a way that honors You.

We love You, praise You and trust You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen