Be Kind To The Cat

Confession time… My dad, used to kick our cat whenever it got in his way, or if the cat moved too slowly he would kick it out the door to hurry it up!  My dad had a bit of a temper and wasn’t the most patient person. Fast forward many years later, I started to notice my own tendency to take things out on those people closest to me. Even if it was an unexpecting pet that copped the brunt of my own struggle to practice kindness or patience.

I remember the old saying “do to others what you would have them do to you”.  Its just easier said than done in many cases!

What helped me was the analogy of a wardrobe. The idea, that we can choose our clothing and put on kindness, patience & gentleness or we can wear pride like a necklace and cloth ourselves with violence.  With a little self discipline, some practical strategies and help from the Holy Spirit, we can improve our wardrobe! 

I want to be more patient, more kind, more forgiving.  There is a bible verse that says “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Wow! The idea that responsibility lies with us to put on these virtues and practice them in our lives is sobering. 

By Tara Kent