Opportunities

Opportunities

Cats have an innate ability to find that perfectly comfortable place to sleep. We have two lethargic cats and sometimes the places they select to snooze can be entertaining; other places I wonder how they could possibly consider them as comfortable. Yet most often my cats choose that one most delightfully soft, warm and cosy spot to nap peacefully. Softness, warmth and privacy seem to be at the top of my pets priorities, when making their decisions. A bed is definitely the preferred location for snuggling and sleeping their days away. 

One of our cats chose some rather interesting destinations to doze the day away. For a short while the deep recesses of the lavender bush was appealing until she worked out that too many of those days found her miserable and wet as she leaped out howling, from under the scented bush, whilst I was happily watering. Lying lazily curled up in the centre of a violet garden created an almost picture perfect postcard scene. Other times she has energetically leaped from the lounge, high up onto a six foot bookcase and slept away her time atop her perch of comfort. The book case was definitely not a good location when she started to consider the possibility of jumping over to the pinnacle of our seven foot Christmas tree! One cat’s unusual disappearance for several days and a reappearance of a hungry, much thinner feline reminded us that cats can locate perfect sleeping places inside our neighbours’ open garden sheds, which can then find them, hours later, locked inside. Then there is always the debate between our two cats over that coveted position under the Christmas tree, sprawled out across the soft carpet, gazing at the household between gifts in holiday wrap. Our cats have slept in boxes, in cupboards, in the ironing basket, on shoes, beside shoes, suitcases of jet setting daughters, wooden kitchen chairs,  snugly before the flickering flames of a fire and spread out on a hot summers day across the cool kitchen tiles. Each location our cats have purposely, thoughtfully and with great deliberation chosen. Cats are rather opportunistic. If a blanket is placed folded, or a pillow lay strewn or a garment tossed haphazardly, it seems that within moments it is found and seized as prize of great worth for the ultimate destination for the day. Cats have an uncanny ability to find that perfectly comfortable place to sleep within minutes of it becoming available to them. Cats never miss their opportunity.

One day I was busy with the ironing and the folding of several loads of washing that had been cheerily flapping in a warm breeze outside on the line. As I took the ironing into our bedroom my phone  noisily rang, creating a moment’s distraction. I went to answer the phone, only to return several minutes later to find, Laura, our youngest cat, already huddled happily on a small pile of ironing. It may have been considered an acceptable and desirous spot if the ironing had been placed in another location. Instead, I had quickly placed the ironing pile on the  very edge of our dressing table and there was our cat Laura, balanced on top of the ironing in a very precarious position. She did not want to miss the opportunity to find comfort, warmth and softness, even if it entailed a degree of danger.

My cats have an amazing ability to never miss an opportunity for that perfect spot to sleep their day away. I pause and stop and think about that. Opportunities!  Do we seize them or do we miss them.   Each day we receive opportunities for many different activities and situations. What about the opportunities for being an influence in another person’s life for the glory of God? Do we, like my cats embrace the moment and make full use of the opportunity? Each day God will give us opportunities to share with others about His goodness and His love. Each day God will give us opportunities to pray for or with others. Do we, like my cats, seek out those opportunities and in full desire make use of them? Why not start your day in prayer asking God to especially give you, and make you aware of, opportunities around you to be a blessing to someone else.

Gal 6:10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

Col 4:5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.