Saturday’s Daily Word Moments confirms how I want to live my life.
I take time to live in and appreciate each moment of the
day.
Remember the wonderful works. – Psalm 105:5
Last week our family was wondering if all
the feral cats we have been feeding outside our barn for over 8 years were all
gone (read: dead). We have grown attached to them and hadn't seen any of them for awhile. Over the years we’ve been feeding these cats, we’ve also seen
raccoons and red and gray foxes outside the barn, stopping by for cat food.
Eating can be a dangerous activity since the cats are in the open and
vulnerable.
I went to the barn Friday mid-afternoon, hopeful, and started
calling the most “tame” of our cats – Callie. “Breakfast, Callie,” I called. I
clapped my hands and shook the food bowl to entice her if she was within
hearing range. I was thrilled to see Callie appear at the edge of the
woods. She did not come running to me like she usually does. She was watchful,
looking all directions and remaining still at the edge. I waited and called, “it’s
okay.” After about five minutes she came over to eat. I pulled a stool by her bowl and watched her as she ate. She
looked up regularly to scan the woods. I’d never seen her so skittish before.
I
quietly sat watching her for several minutes. When I wondered if I was “wasting
time,” I immediately realized that no, I wasn’t wasting time, I was enjoying
this moment in our lives – Callie’s and mine.
After she ate, she came toward me and began to wind her body
between my shoes, rubbing along my legs. I picked her up and held and stoked
her for several minutes. She began to purr, stretch and settle in my arms as I
continued to pet her. When she wanted to eat some more, I let her down and continued
to watch her for a little while. When I closed the barn door, I promised I would
see her tomorrow. And I did. She came back on Saturday too. Saturday was a
beautiful sunny, 70 degree day. It was a pleasure to sit with her and enjoy the
day. She came a little more easily on Saturday and we had more petting moments.
Part of Saturday’s meditation:
Today I set an intention to be fully aware of God’s presence, to notice the small things: the butterflies and birds, the laughter as well as the quiet. Throughout the journey of today, I will focus less on my destination and more on the route that gets me there…My heart of thanks and my openness to the occurrences of the day fill me with a deeper awareness of my oneness with all life.
~ JEAN
