This is a Christmas story about our cat named Rory. I’ve talked about him before, but now there’s more. We feared what trouble he might be, as we were decorating our Christmas tree. Nonetheless, we went ahead and hoped for the best, thinking that Rory might not be a pest.
Although he’s a kitten no more, Rory gets very easily bored. Perhaps he’s living the childhood missed out on before. It seems he finds great joy in turning just about everything into a toy.
So, one fateful winter morn, we went out to our tree once so well adorned, only to find it in shambles, disheveled, and torn.
Apparently, our cat, this incorrigible brat, could take it no more, so off go the ornaments all over the floor. No doubt pretending they were fat mice, Rory batted and chased them all through the night, all the while making merry under the glow of Christmas tree lights.
When we discovered the devastation, we shouted, we scolded in our utter frustration.
We looked Rory straight in the face, to get him to stop treating our tree with such disgrace.
But rather than try and understand what he did, Rory just ran under the tree and he hid.
It wasn’t that this mischievous one didn’t know what he’d done…it was just that…at the time…it seemed like such fun!
I would like tell you that, sometime later, Rory showed remorse for his crime. But, alas, all he did was look at us as if to say…
“Isn’t it dinner time?”
Even so, we forgave him and fed him and prayed, that somehow, somewhere, in that furry little brain, that Rory would find it in himself to refrain, from such foolishness that causes us such pain.
Why do I share this cat-astrophic Christmas tale? I share it because it’s a bit like us when we fail. Even though we’re a new creation, affirmed and loved by God, we still misbehave and do things that seem rather odd.
Rather than excuse ourselves, or run and hide, we should accept God’s forgiveness and in His love abide. For it’s only there where we’ll learn how to care. It’s only in His embrace where we will grow in His grace.
One thing I will say that Rory has learned, that our love for him can never be earned, for no matter what he’s does, he knows he is loved. He can jump up on my lap, take a nap, dream about this and that, or whatever else goes on in the mind of a cat.
No matter goes wrong, he knows he belongs, so he’s a happy little cat…and that’s that!
Beloved, do you know that? That you can jump up on Abba’s lap? Will you take a chance on this Divine romance?
Jesus has come to make us one, and when He says He’ll never leave us He means business, so we can rest our weary soul in Him this Christmas!
In My Father's House 
Amen! Thanks for this beautiful article about Rory and how it links to God’s everlasting love.
I once heard a Minister call it, the “Scandal of grace”.
God bless
Thanks. Yes, God grace is scandalous and His love for us is unrelenting!
Amen! Love it and Rory!
We love Rory, too. We just have to keep him away from the tree. 🙂
Mine (Herbie the love cat that we adoped from a shelter) is curled up at the foot of the bed as I read this. He knows his place and that he’s wanted no matter what. Beautiful story of Gods love and his grace – no matter what.
Herbie the love cat is a cool name. 🙂 It’s interesting how you can see that “orphan” mindset leave your pet as they feel loved and that they belong. Rory was a stray who adopted us two years ago, showed up at our back door one cold winter day and would not take ‘no’ for an answer! He’s usually pretty good but he loves anything he can drag or bat around, which doesn’t bode well for low-hanging ornaments and beads!
LOL Very cute.. Herbie loved even our adopted dogs new bone. He rules around here. haha Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you..
Cute little Rory must have some cousins
Can’t keep my own tree safe from two tabby fur muffins
After perching it higher than planned
And using lots of tape on the stand
I’m feeling a bit like a Christmas curmudgeon
They’re as unrepentant as Rory
So very proud of all their mischievous glory
They assume they’re adorable
And not at all deplorable
Resting secure and loved is always their story!
Ok, that was a quick effort but I couldn’t resist! I really do think Rory’s relatives (two of them anyway) live with me! And even tho they don’t do a thing to deserve it, they are quite certain they are adored. Great analogy and fun poem 🎄👍🏼 (And yes I really do have my tree stand taped down on a elevated stand, lol. Although they can easily jump to where it is, there is nothing for them to land on so they are content to climb on a chair and bat at the ornaments. Small tree but so far this year it is intact!)
Ha! Love it! We’ll just call them “the incorrigible brat cats.” 🙂 We thought about guy-wires but drilling eye bolts into the wall wasn’t appealing. We have three cats but Rory is the only one who wants to play soccer with the ornaments.
Thanks for your wonderful addition to this feline Christmas poem. Blessings.
I love he tummy shot
That’s pretty much his demeanor when he’s not getting himself into trouble. 🙂
🙂 we run a weekly post called tummy rub Tuesday. You should enter a few photos for it. 😀
I’ve included his tummy shot for week 130 🙂
Multiply the cat by three, add a dog, and three donkeys who are my wives “Babies,” and then come and talk to me about mischievous… 🙂 I like how you snuck God’s grace into the tale.
Haha! That’s a boatload of mischievous! Thanks Patrick, and have a very blessed Christmas!