Penny the Agnostic Cat
Theme of the week: Growing Through Adversity
Sunday, September 30, 2012
 1 of 1
Who Said It … Rick Lawrence
Rick Lawrence is the long-time editor of Group magazine and co-leader of the Simply Youth Ministry Conference. He speaks frequently at conferences and workshops and consults for national research organizations. His books include Shrewd: Daring to Live the Startling Command of Jesus and Sifted: God's Scandalous Response to Satan's Outrageous Demands.
What he Said … Penny the Agnostic Cat
Our cat, Penny, is absolutely terrible at cleaning herself after she "does her business." In short, there's what we call "crusty matter" hanging off her haunches on most days. Finally, my wife, Bev, couldn't take it anymore and decided to grab Penny and clean off her hinterlands in the bathtub.
While Bev was at one end furiously scrubbing with warm water and liquid soap, I was at the other, tightening my grip, and holding on to the scruffy neck of an animal who was sure she was about to die. Her eyes bore into me with disbelief and panic.
Now, weeks later, Penny still slinks from me whenever it looks as though I might actually make a slight movement in her general direction. Her trust in me has been violated by a shattering event her mind can make no sense of—the comfort and safety she assumed around me has now been cross-examined and thrown out of court.
If I was like a god to Penny, then the bath incident has apparently turned her into an agnostic. A few more episodes like this one, and she'll go the distance to atheism. [continued 10/1]
Key Study Passage: Luke 22:31-32
Adapted from Sifted (David C. Cook, 2011) by permission. All rights reserved by the copyright holder and/or the publisher. May not be reproduced.
Copyright © 2012 by Christianity Today/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
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Heavenly Father, impress on my heart that you can bring good out of evil (Gen. 50:20), use difficulties to shape my character (Rom. 5:3-4), and teach me godly principles through suffering's lessons (Ps. 119:71).
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