To my friend, Smokey the cat. From my web-site, www.seekfirstwisdom.com
It was in the spring of 1992, early on a Sunday afternoon. I was about to make lunch when I heard a knock on the side door of my mobile home. When I opened the door, four young children were standing on the porch with a small kitten in one of the children's hands. I asked, "What can I do for you kids?" They replied with one voice, "Would you like to have a kitten mister?"
I looked at them, smiled and asked, "Where did you kids get him from?" Again with one voice, they replied, "His mother was run over by a car, and this is the last kitten left." I thought, how ironic.
The day before on a Saturday afternoon just after working half a day, I decided to look for a sign giving away free kittens. Being spring time there were usually a few households that advertised giving free kittens away. After driving for about an hour, I found none, and went on home. The next day one is brought to my door.
The kitten was small and had not yet been weaned. He was of a light beige, smokey in color, having a few stripes here and there. I saw a bit of Siamese and other mix in him. He was cute and I wanted a cat, so I told the kids, "O.K. I'll take him."
Smokey was a good cat and a better companion. He became very attached to me, and I to him. We looked to each other for certain needs, he knowing that I would be there for him, and him for me. He had great manners in that he never jumped on the kitchen counter tops, the beds, of furniture. He used his litter box on rainy, or cold winter days, but normally he used the woods for his privacy.
He enjoyed the out-doors, and the border of the woods close to the house. He never went after birds, nor did he bring dead animals into the house. He must have had an inner instinct about the dangers of going to far into the woods, so normally he just hung around the yard, or lay on the Porch. He had carved out a small unapproachable territory for other cats not to trespass. If one did approach, he would defend with darting attacks, and much vocal growling, and hissing.
On weekdays I would put him out before I left for work, then find him waiting for me on the front porch when I arrived home. He rarely crossed the road, was very independent, only needing a few moments of my personal time every day.
Every now and then he would want to sit on my lap and be petted, but usually if I just stood still for a few moments he would rub against me and be satisfied. When I went on vacation, my neighbor would take care of him. Upon my return from any vacation, he would meow for an hour or so, stay by my side until he was sure I was going to stick around.
Smokey was brave, strong, yard smart, and knew when not to be brave. When it came to dogs, if he new that I was behind him, he would stand up to them. He would look at the dog, turn, look at me, and then go after the dog, knowing I was right behind him. Of course when the dogs saw me they would run, but smokey would take all the credit for defending the household. He would come back with his back bristled, tail up, and having a kind of smirk on his face, as if to say, "Hay boss, did you see that? I made that dog eat dust."
Other things I liked about him were, he always seemed to be smiling, rarely got sick, and was easy to maintain.
Four years ago we moved to a new house. He hated being put into his moving cage. It took him about a month to get over the move. He also had a fear of being put into a car. But soon after moving, he adjusted, loved the country setting, the woods, and new surroundings. He now had a new territory to defend always watching for stray cats, dogs, foxes, and a few coyotes.
When he turned 11, two dogs jumped him near the car where he was napping. It was fortunate that I was home. They were smart, one approached him from the front, the other from behind. They did hurt him somewhat, but scared him even more. From that point on I saw a fear in him that he had never shown before. It changed him inside. He was scared.
He now stayed close to the house, and at times stayed outdoors now only for a short time. He had broken off three of the four front fangs on various skirmishes he had, and that concerned me as far as him defending himself.
He was now 13 and getting a bit slower. His aggression was beginning to wain, and he stayed even closer to the house, only venturing away when I was around. He seemed to sense a new danger around the area, which made him extremely cautious. When he went outdoors, it was by way of the back porch which was above the woods. He would look both close and far, walking cautiously before venturing into the yard. He seemed to sense a new danger, one I was not aware of.
A month before I had seen two coyotes walking along the road. It was early evening. They were young, medium size, no more than two years old, and seemed fearless about oncoming cars, or people. At this time, many of my neighbors were loosing their smaller pets, but I did not give it much thought.
One evening, about 9 P.M. Smokey was outside so I thought to bring him in. He was laying on the stairs of the front porch when I called to him. He yawned, and remained where he was. He had made it clear to me that he wanted to stay out a bit longer.
It was a clear night, and I was going to be up for another hour, so I left him out. It was a few minutes after ten, I had just turned of the T.V. when I heard a bang, and loud thump, followed by two high pitched yelps.
I ran to the front door, and saw two dogs chasing smokey toward the woods. I yelled, he turned, and all three went tumbled into the woods. I grabbed my flashlight and went to the edge of the woods. I could hear the dogs bark every now and then, they moving about 100 yards off. I tried to scare them off by yelling, and throwing stones toward the sound of their voices. I had no luck in finding them or smokey. At 11, 1, and 3 o'clock the dogs were still there, letting out a bark every now and then.
At five in the morning, I went into the woods and found nothing. Checked again, nothing! Three days passed so I assume my buddy was gone. I have missed him greatly. He had a good life, and went down fighting. I enjoyed smokey tremendously.
I believe that most animals in their own way believe that it is up to them to watch, protect, and if necessary die for what they believe to be theirs. Smokey let his guard down this one time when he should have been alert. It was a dark evening, our Creator gave him the ability to see at night, but like many of us, he closed his eyes to rest, and the enemy attacked. The results, he forfeited his life.
After a few days of thinking about what had happened and to the relationship I had with this animal I saw, many similarities with a Christian's relationship with the Lord. As loyal as an animal is to the person who feeds and watches over him, we as Christians should follow this same simple example.
God is our Father who feeds and cares for us. We have come to use the Lord for many selfish reasons? mostly loyal only when it is convenient. Do we camouflage our actions, and inner most thoughts giving a false impressions of our faith? insincere at best, dishonest for the most part. How much more can we do to show our love, our friendship, and loyalty to Christ Jesus.
When Smokey confronted his enemies, he looked for me for support. Also when the enemies of Christ bear their fangs, attacking us from all sides, we need to know, understand and have full confidence that our Lord is standing along side, behind and in front carving out a path of victory, this for each and every one of us. For He is our Captain in battle.
Smokey seemed to have a certain respect for my home, and for my things. He understood his area of comfort and domain, and rarely did he ever intruded, or infringe on that which belonged to me. Before he entered a room that I was in, he would meow before he entered. In this, I believe he showed respect. Do we have this same deep respect for the things of God? His desires for us are to be safe, productive, and to lead a holy life.
Christian's, are to watch, keep, and protect each other from the enemies of Christ. Adam fell, Cain fell, Saul fell, Judas fell, as have many others. Our enemies sets many traps; we are to always remain alert? Are we protecting with our very lives the gospel message? or have we fallen asleep?
Smokey knew I was his friend, have you let the Lord know you are His?
Phil LaSpino
It was in the spring of 1992, early on a Sunday afternoon. I was about to make lunch when I heard a knock on the side door of my mobile home. When I opened the door, four young children were standing on the porch with a small kitten in one of the children's hands. I asked, "What can I do for you kids?" They replied with one voice, "Would you like to have a kitten mister?"
I looked at them, smiled and asked, "Where did you kids get him from?" Again with one voice, they replied, "His mother was run over by a car, and this is the last kitten left." I thought, how ironic.
The day before on a Saturday afternoon just after working half a day, I decided to look for a sign giving away free kittens. Being spring time there were usually a few households that advertised giving free kittens away. After driving for about an hour, I found none, and went on home. The next day one is brought to my door.
The kitten was small and had not yet been weaned. He was of a light beige, smokey in color, having a few stripes here and there. I saw a bit of Siamese and other mix in him. He was cute and I wanted a cat, so I told the kids, "O.K. I'll take him."
Smokey was a good cat and a better companion. He became very attached to me, and I to him. We looked to each other for certain needs, he knowing that I would be there for him, and him for me. He had great manners in that he never jumped on the kitchen counter tops, the beds, of furniture. He used his litter box on rainy, or cold winter days, but normally he used the woods for his privacy.
He enjoyed the out-doors, and the border of the woods close to the house. He never went after birds, nor did he bring dead animals into the house. He must have had an inner instinct about the dangers of going to far into the woods, so normally he just hung around the yard, or lay on the Porch. He had carved out a small unapproachable territory for other cats not to trespass. If one did approach, he would defend with darting attacks, and much vocal growling, and hissing.
On weekdays I would put him out before I left for work, then find him waiting for me on the front porch when I arrived home. He rarely crossed the road, was very independent, only needing a few moments of my personal time every day.
Every now and then he would want to sit on my lap and be petted, but usually if I just stood still for a few moments he would rub against me and be satisfied. When I went on vacation, my neighbor would take care of him. Upon my return from any vacation, he would meow for an hour or so, stay by my side until he was sure I was going to stick around.
Smokey was brave, strong, yard smart, and knew when not to be brave. When it came to dogs, if he new that I was behind him, he would stand up to them. He would look at the dog, turn, look at me, and then go after the dog, knowing I was right behind him. Of course when the dogs saw me they would run, but smokey would take all the credit for defending the household. He would come back with his back bristled, tail up, and having a kind of smirk on his face, as if to say, "Hay boss, did you see that? I made that dog eat dust."
Other things I liked about him were, he always seemed to be smiling, rarely got sick, and was easy to maintain.
Four years ago we moved to a new house. He hated being put into his moving cage. It took him about a month to get over the move. He also had a fear of being put into a car. But soon after moving, he adjusted, loved the country setting, the woods, and new surroundings. He now had a new territory to defend always watching for stray cats, dogs, foxes, and a few coyotes.
When he turned 11, two dogs jumped him near the car where he was napping. It was fortunate that I was home. They were smart, one approached him from the front, the other from behind. They did hurt him somewhat, but scared him even more. From that point on I saw a fear in him that he had never shown before. It changed him inside. He was scared.
He now stayed close to the house, and at times stayed outdoors now only for a short time. He had broken off three of the four front fangs on various skirmishes he had, and that concerned me as far as him defending himself.
He was now 13 and getting a bit slower. His aggression was beginning to wain, and he stayed even closer to the house, only venturing away when I was around. He seemed to sense a new danger around the area, which made him extremely cautious. When he went outdoors, it was by way of the back porch which was above the woods. He would look both close and far, walking cautiously before venturing into the yard. He seemed to sense a new danger, one I was not aware of.
A month before I had seen two coyotes walking along the road. It was early evening. They were young, medium size, no more than two years old, and seemed fearless about oncoming cars, or people. At this time, many of my neighbors were loosing their smaller pets, but I did not give it much thought.
One evening, about 9 P.M. Smokey was outside so I thought to bring him in. He was laying on the stairs of the front porch when I called to him. He yawned, and remained where he was. He had made it clear to me that he wanted to stay out a bit longer.
It was a clear night, and I was going to be up for another hour, so I left him out. It was a few minutes after ten, I had just turned of the T.V. when I heard a bang, and loud thump, followed by two high pitched yelps.
I ran to the front door, and saw two dogs chasing smokey toward the woods. I yelled, he turned, and all three went tumbled into the woods. I grabbed my flashlight and went to the edge of the woods. I could hear the dogs bark every now and then, they moving about 100 yards off. I tried to scare them off by yelling, and throwing stones toward the sound of their voices. I had no luck in finding them or smokey. At 11, 1, and 3 o'clock the dogs were still there, letting out a bark every now and then.
At five in the morning, I went into the woods and found nothing. Checked again, nothing! Three days passed so I assume my buddy was gone. I have missed him greatly. He had a good life, and went down fighting. I enjoyed smokey tremendously.
I believe that most animals in their own way believe that it is up to them to watch, protect, and if necessary die for what they believe to be theirs. Smokey let his guard down this one time when he should have been alert. It was a dark evening, our Creator gave him the ability to see at night, but like many of us, he closed his eyes to rest, and the enemy attacked. The results, he forfeited his life.
After a few days of thinking about what had happened and to the relationship I had with this animal I saw, many similarities with a Christian's relationship with the Lord. As loyal as an animal is to the person who feeds and watches over him, we as Christians should follow this same simple example.
God is our Father who feeds and cares for us. We have come to use the Lord for many selfish reasons? mostly loyal only when it is convenient. Do we camouflage our actions, and inner most thoughts giving a false impressions of our faith? insincere at best, dishonest for the most part. How much more can we do to show our love, our friendship, and loyalty to Christ Jesus.
When Smokey confronted his enemies, he looked for me for support. Also when the enemies of Christ bear their fangs, attacking us from all sides, we need to know, understand and have full confidence that our Lord is standing along side, behind and in front carving out a path of victory, this for each and every one of us. For He is our Captain in battle.
Smokey seemed to have a certain respect for my home, and for my things. He understood his area of comfort and domain, and rarely did he ever intruded, or infringe on that which belonged to me. Before he entered a room that I was in, he would meow before he entered. In this, I believe he showed respect. Do we have this same deep respect for the things of God? His desires for us are to be safe, productive, and to lead a holy life.
Christian's, are to watch, keep, and protect each other from the enemies of Christ. Adam fell, Cain fell, Saul fell, Judas fell, as have many others. Our enemies sets many traps; we are to always remain alert? Are we protecting with our very lives the gospel message? or have we fallen asleep?
Smokey knew I was his friend, have you let the Lord know you are His?
Phil LaSpino
