Humor

Is God more like a cat or a dog?

by

Is God More Like a Cat—or a Dog?

Cats are considered aloof and persnickety. They are picky over food and only give you attention when they feel like it. Cats always do what they want. They don’t come when you call or travel with you or follow rituals. Cats are generally loners and little emperors.

Dogs are always happy to see you. They constantly want to be with you. They love car rides, travel and exploring new things. They eat everything. Dogs consider their job is to entertain and protect you. Dogs trust you.

What has this to do with God? When I was a child, God was presented more like a cat. God was sleek, powerful and a prize to be sought. He was aloof and fussy. God waited for you to contact Him and you never knew if he heard. You were to do his bidding. If you didn’t do what He wanted, He turned His back on you. He even held a grudge until you apologized the way He wanted.

Today I think of my God as more of a dog. (I hope I’m not offending Him. The pilgrim mind God gave me often takes strange turns.) I believe, like a dog, He’s excited to see me and hear from me. He travels everywhere with me, helping me explore the world safely. He wants to spend all our time together. He likes both rituals and spontaneity.

The point is the type of involvement I have with God and God’s type of involvement with me. Yes, God is above and beyond any animal, plant, or human. I’m not presenting theology. This comparison of an aloof God and a nurturing God illustrates my part of the relationship. I (and I think others) am more attentive to pets than to God. Aloof or not, my cat gets daily food, water, brushing, scratching, and vet visits as needed. In addition my dog had walks, car rides, and vacations. This amounts to a minimum of 3 interactions a day.

Do I interact with God 3 or more times a day? Every time I pass my cat, I pause to scratch her ears or speak to her. I don’t scratch God’s ears, but do I talk to Him? When visitors arrive, I inform my pets and introduce them to my guests. Do I keep God apprised of current happenings? I believe God knows all,so did my mother. Even so, sharing with a parent, spouse, or friend grows the relationship. So, too, I’ve found that the more a share with God, the closer we become.

Being spiritually literate requires I pay attention to the present, my habits, and my priorities. Awareness of a higher power’s presence and knowledge of His awareness of me are essential. Is God a standoffish or a friendly companion? Does God receive as much attention as a pet?

PS. I love both cats and dogs. This stereotype is for contemplation and not a promotion for a species!

Humor: #1

by

Calming Humor

An article on the traits of calming people listed humor as a way to “lighten the mood”. Since one goal of my spiritual life is tranquility I read the piece, though my chest tightened thinking how “humor” has hurt me. Ridicule, sarcasm, put downs, racial or religious humor don’t feel funny. Bury the blond jokes, the Polish jokes, the Jewish jokes, and all the others. Joking at one person’s expense to make someone else feel better is sick. For years I was abused by those forms of “humor”. I even used them to entertain others. Once I realized humor was painful I avoided it. Only in the last decade has a healthy (strange) humor entered to my conversational repertoire.

 

 

My humor derives of noticing incongruities: the four year old wearing a packer sweatshirt over a pink fluffy tutu. I laugh at animal behavior such as the incident where a robin sat on top of the suet feeder, bent over to peck at the food. A red-bellied woodpecker landed on the opposite side of the feeder and looked up. Seeing the robin’s butt, the woodpecker used his long bill to poke the robin in the rear, thus taking control of the feeder. An additional source of humor is ME. So many times I plan for one outcome only to have to deal with another. Reminds me of the quote, “The best laid plans of mice and men”. Laughing at myself relieves many a difficult situation.

 

Healthy humor and the ability to laugh at life is a gift. What about you? How does humor enhance your life? Can you share it?

GOOSE MUSIC

by

Singing the present

Time: 7:25

Temperature: 25

Location: Wooden deck near Madison, Wisconsin

Wearing a flannel nightgown and wool vest, I fill and hang bird feeders. Overhead a noisy flock of geese flap their way to the marsh. The “v” formation and the honking form a vision of notes on a music staff. Goose Music serenading me – a pleasant distraction from neglected duties.

I haven’t written anything lately. I’m enveloped in isolation or depression. After purchasing a spiral, I recorded my “to do” list. The notebook is now half full. The critical parent in me demands to know why I’m so far behind. How could I be such a failure! A kinder side of me suggests looking at my accomplishments. I’ve created a new wildlife feeding station on the deck. I’m clearing out old papers. I’m changing, even praying for self-discipline.

The geese remind me of life’s circle, a pattern of constant change. Seasons change. Geese fly south. Local birds devour the seed and suet I provide.

Do I think of Fall as a period of loss? Loss of old habits, old possessions, skills that dissipate with old age. Or is Fall a time to rethink my life and reopen my spiritual connections?

The geese embrace the change, their “v” shaped chorus performing their travel song in the sky. What’s my travel song? Who’s in my chorus?

 

BEING PRESENT

Live in the present moment.

Don’t obsess about the past or worry about the future.

All you need is right here now.

(Spiritual Literacy, Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, p.19)