I have this cat, Peanut. And she’s really sweet and affectionate and gentle with children. But she is also just about the most annoying thing on the planet.
She talks a lot, but that’s not really the problem. In a house full of big talkers, I can hardly complain about that. (And just so you know, I’m not a completely crazy cat lady. My cat does not, in fact, talk like a human. But she sure chatters and squeaks and meows . . . pretty much every minute she’s awake.)
The thing that drives me up the wall about Peanut is that she is stubborn. Or lazy. Or both – I’m not really sure where the issue stems from, and I don’t have time for kitty therapy. All I know is that when I try to make her move – off my spot on the couch, off the dining room chairs at dinner time, off my leg when I’m trying to sleep at night – she refuses.
I know! She’s a cat! How can she refuse to do what I tell her? [Yes, friends, this is indeed sarcasm, because even cat lovers know that the feline species pretty much does whatever it wants to do, end of story, amen.]
I might not be crazy, but I do really like cats – especially my own. So when I want Peanut to move, I’m gentle. I nudge her with my foot or pat her nicely on the back. When she won’t even deign to open more than one eye at my request, however, I move onto more urgent communication.
Still, nothing moves that cat. In fact, when I attempt to do so, she often raises her head and yells at me. “MROWWWW!” she shouts, indignantly, as if I’m severely inconveniencing her by WANTING TO SIT ON MY OWN COUCH.
Obviously I’m the human and she’s the cat, and eventually she’s forced to move. But she makes sure – every single time – to let me know how Very Unhappy she is about it.
It’s annoying. And . . . it’s a lot how I behave when God asks me to move.
Get up early to read my Bible?
But, God, it’s just so hard!
Reach out to that person who makes me feel uncomfortable?
But God! It’s so awkward! And I don’t like being awkward!
Apply for that job? Quit that job? Start that project? Move to that city? Stay here?
But, but, but . . . GOD! Do I HAVE to? It’s so HARD!
Try this new thing? Go to a new place? Talk to a new person?
Oh, I don’t know. I like how things are now. It’s comfy here, easy even. No, thanks…
It doesn’t really matter what God asks of me. From small changes to big risks, my first instinct is to dig my claws into the couch and stay put, so to speak. Change is hard, and my comfort zone is soft and safe. So when He asks me to follow, my immediate response isn’t always one of obedience.
Nope, I can be as stubborn – and, let’s be honest, as lazy – as my cat.
Of course this metaphor only goes so far. Because right now God is asking me to move, sure, but He’s also asking me to stay put in some situations – situations where I’d much rather run, move, change, go. See, our comfort zone isn’t always defined by a lack of movement. Sometimes it’s the other way around.
But no matter what feels safest to me in any given situation, my calling – to follow Him, to trust Him, to obey Him – is more important than my comfort.
And so when God begins nudging me, gently because He loves me, I do my best to keep my scaredy cat instincts in check. But I also tell Him how I feel. I’m pretty sure He can handle it. So those conversations are [slowly] starting to look a little different:
Get up early to read my Bible?
Oh, man, that’s hard. But…okay. I’ll set my alarm for 30 minutes earlier. Help me find the energy to get up when it goes off?
Reach out to that person who makes me feel uncomfortable?
Her? The one I had that awkward conversation with? Um…all right…I’ll start with an email…today.
Apply for that job? Quit that job? Start that project? Move to that city? Stay here?
Wow. Really? REALLY? Okay. I trust you. Help me trust you…
Try this new thing? Go to a new place? Talk to a new person?
Whew, I don’t know. I was just settling in here. What’s my first step? Will you help me?
I’m trying to listen right away and move – or stay – the way He’s asking. It’s not easy, and sometimes I still act like my grumpy, stubborn cat. But hopefully this way I can move WITH God…instead of making Him resort to pushing me off my proverbial couch. (After all, I might have something in common with my cat, but I’m not sure about always landing on my feet!)
Have you ever struggled to respond to God’s nudging? Do you have a hard time leaving your comfort zone when God calls?
By Mary Carver, a work in progress who’s Giving Up on Perfect
Leave a Comment
Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says
Mary,
Maybe I’m a cat at heart…yes, I’ve had trouble moving outside my comfort zone and that’s probably why God has called me to do that over and over again in my life. From physical moves around the country, to being called to serve in positions that I felt soooo unqualified for, God has continually nudged me off my couch. Why? So I could learn to totally depend on Him. Nothing makes us run to the Father faster than feeling uncomfortable. But, you said it…it’s about the “calling” not the “comfort”. Though I have always felt called to write, I dug my claws in for a long, long time (50+ years to be more exact). Good writers allow themselves to be vulnerable, transparent. Who easily does that? What joy, though, we find when we actually DO move outside our comfort zone. God has never let me down or failed to hold me when I do, so it’s built trust and hope. It’s outside our comfort zone that we really grow in relationship with our Lord and ultimately that’s where I want to be. What a great analogy and wonderful post!
Blessings,
Bev
Mary Carver says
Oooh, Bev, I love your point about how we learn to depend more on God when He moves us out of our comfort zone. That’s a great reason to follow Him!
Rachel Monger says
A good encouragement! Sometimes it’s so easy to think of all kinds or reasons NOT to do something. But waiting until I am totally ready, will never work! And it is so true that the joy after stepping out into what God wants far outweighs anything! Rachel
Mary Carver says
Amen, Rachel! Waiting until I’m ready…well, your comment just slapped me upside the head! (Yep. I’m still SUCH A CAT even after writing this!)
Suzanne says
Such a great analogy!
Yes, there are some definitely areas I need to be less my cat as well. God has been calling me to stand in a situation and be Christ-like to a specific person with whom I have daily contact.
I must admit, there are often days that I’d really like to RUN, but I know in my heart that is not God’s plan for me or that person… this person is God’s child and I have been called to love them ~ even when it’s uncomfortable ~ especially when it’s uncomfortable.
I heard the Holy Spirit tell me 2 days ago… Jesus was pretty uncomfortable up on that cross… that has really helped me gain the right perspective in this particular circumstance.
Thank you for you’re great insight, I so enjoy reading your work!
Blessings to you and your precious family,
Suzanne
Mary Carver says
Suzanne, thank you for sharing what God’s placing on your heart right now. He does ask us to walk into the uncomfortable sometimes, but He blesses us when we follow, too. Praying you find the blessings among the discomfort as you minister to this person in your life.
kelly says
I LOVED this metaphor!!!! i have two cats as well, and i can TOTALLY relate!! I am struggling with what God is trying to tell me, either i am not listening at the right time…(have a hubby and 3 teenager GIRLS…plus a chocolate lab who thinks he is a small human)…or cant hear HIM or i am not patient enough to listen..whatever the reason, I don’t know if I am even where he wants me…I am questioning CONSTANTLY…and if its even close(probably is) to how my girls sound..MAN, i really hope God has more patience with me than i do with my girls…thank you for writing….and i will continue my bible studies in the am, I DO like getting up in the am, to me its peaceful and its only me, God, my bible/notes/thankful journal and animals…before the chaos starts again.
Mary Carver says
Being a parent is so eye-opening for me, just like you said, Kelly. “Is this what I sound like to God?” Um, yes. 🙂 Good thing he’s a more patient Father than I am a mommy!
Athena says
Once I went to a seminar and the man who spoke talked of how he ended up as a pastor. He went to college, grad school, and ended up as a teacher. He was very happy for a long time, but eventually he began to feel unsettled. He loved his job but the lack of peace made him feel like he was dying each day. God never forced him to do anything about it, but after much prayer and many tears, the pressure drove him to quit his job, re-consider his career, and go into full-time ministry. Right now, I’m experiencing all these same feelings — struggling hard to live outside my comfort zone in so many ways, though I know I am not called to be a pastor. Sometimes God nudges us, and sometimes He gets our attention instead by slowly applying pressure on all sides that we shift our perspective and allow ourselves to be more open to Him. We are afraid sometimes, afraid to trust God with all of our little worries and fears about what the path ahead holds, but when has He ever failed to provide or work all things for our good and the good of others? I say all this confidently but even still I know when decision time comes I’m still going to be a little wary. A product of being human! But thankfully we have a very faithful God whose power is displayed even more in our weakness!
Mary Carver says
Love hearing about your journey, Athena. God will be faithful when you follow those promptings!
Alexis says
Wow!!!! This post was extremely timely and applicable to my life right now. Thanks so much for being obedient to first write it and then share it. God is so amazing!
Sharon O says
When I saw this cat I could NOT believe it, looks like a twin to my own ‘Smudge’… who is age 16. I love a tortoise shell calico and mine is not quite as stubborn as yours but we do share the computer chair. I nudge her over but she stays and purrs and hangs over my leg as I type.
Mary Carver says
Tortoiseshell cats are something else, aren’t they? Mine’s sitting in her usual spot right now – halfway under my leg as I type. 😉
Jennifer says
I love the word picture! I’ve never had a cat but I still completely understand and relate to this. Thank you for reminding us to listen and act on God’s calling.
Seeking an obedient life,
Jennifer
Mary Carver says
You’re so welcome, Jennifer. Reminding myself at the same time…
Rachel says
I hear you, God. I hear you loud and clear – can you hold my fear while I take the first step?
Thanks!
Rachel
Mary Carver says
He will, Rachel, He will!
Lina says
I really like your comparison… it fits for me too! I used to have an continual prayer “God please nudge me in the way that I need to go, and If I don’t get it than hit me with a 2 x 4 when necessary”
It worked! Thanks for sharing!
Mary Carver says
Love it, Lina! I’ve asked for billboards many times – and I’ve certainly received a few 2x4s, too!
Kathy @ In Quiet Places says
God did use a donkey to nudge a prophet in the Old Testament, so it isn’t too surprising He would use a cat!
It is always initially a struggle to leave the comfort zone, but I want to be obedient to God and that is where the battle has to end and I focus on what God would have me do in a given situation.
but, sometimes, it is very hard…
Mary Carver says
Yes, it IS hard. Hence our need for donkeys and kitties. 🙂
Mary Lehman says
I can relate to your Peanut story. He really didn’t intend to do so, but he served a good purpose in God’s story through you!
Mary Carver says
Haha, so true. I love the way God can speak to us through anything – even an ornery cat!
Kim says
So timely. I am a very private person. I am usually not comfortable sharing my thoughts, feelings or ideas with others. (If fact, I have followed (in)courage for quite a while and this is my 1st post.) Yet, God has laid it on my heart to lead a new discussion Sunday School class. I begin this Sunday. Believe it or not, I feel prepared and not nervous. If we follow his nudging, He will provide peace.
Mary Carver says
How did it go, Kim? I love how you’ve followed God’s leading, and I’m sure He’ll bless your discussions!
Heidi Fuller says
Mary,
Well put. This speaks eloquently to cat owners. 😉 We’ve definitely been pushed off our proverbial couch this year. The “one more kid” we could afford and were ready for turned out to be twins… and just when life started getting back into a predictable (if exhausting) rhythm, I got another nudge from the Spirit. Spoken word poetry has thrown me for a loop. I know that sounds odd, but my writing simply came in a new voice one afternoon in April. It was obviously testimony… and very personal, and as much good as it did to simply write it, I’m pretty sure that spoken word is supposed to be… well… spoken. So I found myself at open mic night with nothing but words. Me. It’s not that I’ve never been on a stage before, but it turns out that a microphone is much harder to hide behind than a drum set or a piano.
Anyway, I just thought I’d chime in with my own observations on how strangely, uncomfortably and powerfully the Spirit moves.
Thanks
Heidi
Thewordspoken.org
Mary Carver says
Heidi, that is so cool! I love it when God does the unexpected! Thank you for sharing your story with us (and congratulations on those babies!).
Melinda says
Yep, definitely. It seems no matter where I move, I’m always sitting on His couch.
Mary Carver says
Oh, I like that. It IS all His couch, isn’t it?
Shelly Hendricks says
Who knew I would relate so well to a kitty named Peanut? 😉 Thanks for this beautiful reminder today!
Mary Carver says
You’re so welcome, Shelly!
Beth Williams says
I can totally relate to this post! I’ve struggled with wanting to move on to a new/different job for almost 2 years now. Each time God says no not now–your time has not yet come. Although I’m not a patient person– I have to rely on His timing and the fact that He knows what’s best for me.
Mary Carver says
He does know better, thankfully! Like you, I struggle more with God saying “no” than when He says “go.”