I got home one day recently just before noon. The last few weeks had been non-stop with a packed calendar of travel, meetings and activities. After putting away my things, I pulled open the drapes in my dining room to expose the light of the warm, sunny day. That’s when I noticed the neighborhood cat languishing on my banister. A striped grey and white pattern from head to toe, I almost didn’t see her lying there, shaded by a large aloe vera bush that framed the ledge. I paused and watched her for a moment as she peacefully slept. I stepped back and studied her from behind the curtain so as not to disturb her. Blissfully unaware of my presence, her long tail was wrapped around her body and her eyes were closed in a restful sleep.
How I envied that cat nap! I thought about the many times when I wanted to take a nap in the middle of the day, but always talked myself out of it. Too much to do, and if I lie down, I know I’m down for the count and I won’t wake up until the next morning. So, no naps for me!
Some time passed and I forgot about my little neighbor spread out on the banister until I walked out to get the mail from my box, adjacent to the ledge. Slowly she opened her eyes and, watching me warily, she didn’t move or budge from her perch. Her eyes followed me to my mailbox and back through my front door. I closed the door softly so I wouldn’t startle her and I peeked through the window to see her eyes still fixed on the door. Then, reassured that I didn’t represent any danger and was really gone, she resumed her nap.
She stayed there for quite a while, lazily changing her position from this way to that, sometimes stretching her entire length, other times curling up in an adorable furry ball with a white tipped paw pressed against her face.
And just as I didn’t see her come, I didn’t see her go. In her absence I thought about her repose and measured it against my own. Am I getting enough rest? Am I able to block out the cares of the world – even when they invade my space and I’m unsure of what they might mean or represent? Am I wise enough to be watchful, but not to let others startle me or disturb my composure?
Two scriptures that I have incorporated into my bedtime prayer are that I lay myself down in peace and safety and sleep, and that I will have peaceful, restful, undisturbed sleep. My feline friend certainly gave me a true picture of that kind of sleep today.
Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to go take a nap!
Today's Scriptures (NKJV):
Psalm 4:8 - I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Proverbs 3:24 - When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
How I envied that cat nap! I thought about the many times when I wanted to take a nap in the middle of the day, but always talked myself out of it. Too much to do, and if I lie down, I know I’m down for the count and I won’t wake up until the next morning. So, no naps for me!
Some time passed and I forgot about my little neighbor spread out on the banister until I walked out to get the mail from my box, adjacent to the ledge. Slowly she opened her eyes and, watching me warily, she didn’t move or budge from her perch. Her eyes followed me to my mailbox and back through my front door. I closed the door softly so I wouldn’t startle her and I peeked through the window to see her eyes still fixed on the door. Then, reassured that I didn’t represent any danger and was really gone, she resumed her nap.
She stayed there for quite a while, lazily changing her position from this way to that, sometimes stretching her entire length, other times curling up in an adorable furry ball with a white tipped paw pressed against her face.
And just as I didn’t see her come, I didn’t see her go. In her absence I thought about her repose and measured it against my own. Am I getting enough rest? Am I able to block out the cares of the world – even when they invade my space and I’m unsure of what they might mean or represent? Am I wise enough to be watchful, but not to let others startle me or disturb my composure?
Two scriptures that I have incorporated into my bedtime prayer are that I lay myself down in peace and safety and sleep, and that I will have peaceful, restful, undisturbed sleep. My feline friend certainly gave me a true picture of that kind of sleep today.
Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to go take a nap!
Today's Scriptures (NKJV):
Psalm 4:8 - I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Proverbs 3:24 - When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
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