Choices

Coming through the door after a business trip she was expecting the cats and dogs to greet her. All the way home she was anticipating the moment she stepped into the house. One of the dogs would be watching through the window of the door as she unlocked it and then "hug" her as she entered the house. The older dog would rub against her legs, politely waiting for the pets she knew would come. The cats were a little harder to predict. However soon they would be standing at their food bowls (full or empty) to demand fresh food--but really waiting on her to pick them up so they could rub jaws and purr their delight at her return. She loved her fur-babies.

Walking up to the door, blue eyes peered through the window, paws on the door jam, waiting for her to open the door. A blanket of black and white fur enveloped her--demanding love and attention--as she danced on her hind paws greeting mom upon her return. The older of the dogs ran across the room sliding to a stop at her feet, bumping her head into the hand she knew would pet her. The "old man" of the cats immediately went to the food bowl--demanding fresh food be added to the full bowl. His purr throttled up as she reached toward him and by the time she touched him his body vibrated with the power of his purr. The younger one--her special baby was nowhere to be found.

Putting things away, she finally sat for a few minutes to rub heads and stroke the soft fur of her babies. The young one strode into the room. She cleared her lap--expecting his "possession" of her. He leaped to the arm of the couch beside her and settled on the back of the couch--never once looking at her. She reached for him. He jumped down, padding the hallway with a clear "talk to the tail" attitude.

Following him, she picked him up. He squirmed out of her arms. She reached to pet him. He stepped just out of reach. "Fine, you are the one losing out, buddy boy" she thought to herself and return to petting the other fur-babies.

Over the next couple of days, he continued to "punish" her with his distance. The others possessed her lap and lavished in the love she gave them. She knew her "Pill" hated when she was gone, but travelling was part of her life--required for her job. He would either get over it or spend his time being mad. The next morning, she woke to the gentle weight of Pill on her. His need for her love finally outweighed his desire to punish her for being gone.

Time had passed and it was time for her to travel again. This time she would only be gone overnight, but still the fur-babies could sense she was leaving . . . or maybe the suitcase gave it away. The morning before she left they were especially attentive--demanding even of her attention--all except Pill.

He seemed "off" as if he couldn't decide whether to soak up her love or punish her in advance by ignoring her. As she left, he followed her to the door--wrapping himself around her ankles as she walked. She stopped and lifted him into her arms. Closing his eyes, he succumbed to her touch--purring, rubbing his jaw against her, soaking in her love for him. Finally, kissing him on the head, she put him down and was gone. When she returned from her trip she wondered how Pill would receive her. Would he choose to accept her love or punish himself by withdrawing from her reach?

Coming through the door, the dogs greeted her again. The cats ran to their food bowl--all except Pill. He solemnly followed her as she put things away. Once that was complete, she went to her favorite chair. There was Pill . . . waiting for her. She lifted him, and held him close, whispering words of love to him. As she settled in her chair her curled up on her lap and simply "possessed" her. The other animals came and went, while he simple possessed. His desire to punish her for not giving him what he wanted, for going to work to provide for his needs, for not following his choice had finally been eclipsed by his need for her love and the desire to please.

Sometimes this is how we behave toward God. We want what we want when we want it and try to punish God by withdrawing from fellowship with God. The only person punished . . . is our self. God is always with us--whether we realize it or not. God waits patiently for us to "get over ourselves" and allow God to love us. You see, the choice is ours. God's love is constant.

Constant God who always knows what we need, not just what we want, thank you for being with us. Forgive us when we pout or throw a fit when we don't get our own way. Thank you for loving us no matter what. Help us to learn to love others as you love us. Remind us that the choice is ours. Your love never changes. Teach us to make good choices. So be it. Amen.