A Lazy Life?
My wife and I are pet people. In fact, during the just under 40 years of marriage, we have consistently had at least a small dog and a couple of cats. Going back further, I got my first pet, a cat, when I was 5 years old.
As a boy living with my parents, pets were indoor and outdoor pets. My cat, Thomas, would usually go out during the day and come in to sleep with me at night. However, occasionally, he’d be gone for a week at a time. Usually, he’d come back smelling like hay from our barn (or like cattle from the neighbors barn).
Sorry, got side tracked.
Today, our cats are full indoor pets. They wouldn’t know how to navigate the outside world much less survive. Fairly often, my spouse and I will be talking and one of us will say to the other “man, I wish I was a cat. Sleep all day, demand attention when we want it, have plenty of food and water available. What a life.” This got me to thinking if I’d really like being a cat.
I don’t mean licking myself clean or using a litter box or eating the same food over and over again. I mean sleeping a lot and doing nothing.
“She prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.”- Proverbs 6:8-11
“For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.” - 2 Thessalonians 3:10-11
When I first retired, there were things I wanted to do when I had time. I did some of them. Others I haven’t yet. I would say I took a very laid back approach to whatever I wanted to do. For a while (couple of years), that was enough and satisfying. But then that urge to do more came back. So, I started back up my salt water fish tank that I hadn’t had set up in over 20 years. Then I embarked on a new hobby that required me to learn something usually done by children (ok, I decided to play the flute when I had never touched one before). And now, in addition, I am taking college classes for fun, church study groups, learning Chinese (Mandarin to be exact), playing in a flute group and the worship team and probably a few other things I’m forgetting. In general, I’d say I’m very happy!
My point isn’t to brag but to argue that God didn’t make us to take it easy. I don’t understand Gods plan but I’m happy to be on the ride. Sorry, Trixie and Rolo, I guess I won’t be joining you on the bed to sleep all day.
