Cat Walk
This is Bella, Kat’s cat. She has been part of the Dodge household for three years.
Whenever she condescends to leave her sleeping place and come into our presence, she provides live entertainment that is better than anything on TV: from scratching her kitty post to gazing out the window to suddenly jumping up and darting out of the room at bullet speed. We can’t help but laugh at her antics.
Another entertaining habit she has is jumping to a side table, then to a book shelf, then onto the mantle. There she carefully picks her way along, never disturbing the two urns of ashes nor the porcelain angels nor the commemorative coins of British royalty. One white foot in front of the other, she sidesteps the proud border collie, the stately swan, and the exotic candles.
Fascinated by her careful footsteps, I was reminded of my mother explaining the definition of circumspectly. “Long ago when city walls of stone or brick were common property markers, broken glass was scattered on top of them. It was done to keep cats in their own yards. It wasn’t very effective because the cats would step very carefully around and over the sharp shards. They walked circumspectly–very carefully.”
The translators of the King James Version of the Bible used the word circumspectly in rendering Ephesians 5:15. I prefer this word to the phrase, be careful, found in the New International Version. Just to think or speak circumspectly requires more intentionality and focus than thinking or speaking be careful.
Certainly, in a world strewn with the shards of sin like immorality and impurity, foolish talk and obscene jokes, jealousy and greed, one can succeed at righteous living only by focusing on God’s word and intentionally, living in accordance with its precepts.
This sort of living feels very much like the sight of Bella as she carefully picks her way along the crowded mantel.
Extremely well communicated! I love how you taught in this one.
I am glad to know that you read about Bella. BTW, I will be inviting Shirley Fleischmann to the Merry Hatters’ Tea.
I enjoyed your sharing about Bella, reminding me that I am to walk circumspectly.
Yes, Spring has sprung. I am enjoying the multitude of trees that are flowering now here in Salem.
I am now living a ‘new normal’ and am thankful to the Lord for all that He has done for me in the last year and a half. He is faithful to care for us as His children, and we who are widows, His ‘wife’, That is a mystery to me but I know that God’s Word says so.
Much love and Easter joy, Shirley
I am glad to know that you enjoyed my posting regarding Bella and walking circumspectly. I it was a pleasure to write about it.
I love this! Cats are so agile! Bella is very pretty.
Love the pictures that fit the story! Deb
I knew that you would enjoy my posting featuring a beautiful cat. It was gratifying to know that you fit the photos with the text.
Amazingly precise and fastidious! Beautiful cat, too.
“Precise” and “fastidious” are super adjectives to describe both Bella’s careful pacing and the careful walk that a child of God needs to have. I’m glad to know that you read about her.
amen
Thanks for reading my post and for letting me know that you did. It is a real encouragement.
Fascinated with Bella’s velvet-pawed circumspect passion to high-step the mantel obstacle course and the likeness to our faithful focus as we cling to and follow Our Precious Lord and His precepts.
You have the soul of a poet, dear Sheri. It is fascinating the many parallels between mundane, daily events and the profound truths of the Word. I’m really glad, but not surprised, that you get it. 😉
Thank you!
How would I send a personal photo to you?
I think that it could be done in one of three ways: 1) WhatsApp 2) email 3) hard copy via snail mail to 5 Springhill Grove; Crofton, Wakefield; West Yorkshire, UK WF4 IEY