At Prayer This Morning, Plus Cats

It isn't actually, but today it speaks to me Also, when it comes to post stats, entries where I lead with a Bible verse tank mercilessly. Hence the Psalmtastic feline.


Give this a try:

When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
then were we like those who dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy.
Then they said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are glad indeed.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the watercourses of the Negev.
Those who sowed with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed,
will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.
--Psalm 126

You know what that gives me? Hope, and that is something I sorely need. I speak entirely selfishly; aside from the horrific sea change in gun violence in this country last week, I've just been plain sad. Not obviously or pervasively, but in that inner-shelf kind of a way that gets to be exhausting and can eventually lead to bitterness and cynicism, and those are (unfortunately) two great tastes that taste great together when it comes to being a dried up, grasping, former shell of one's self.

And who wants that?

Who wants to fall so far down in a hole that the sky isn't visible anymore? Who wants to be so full of the mists of grief and sadness and regret that the tangible goodness twining around our legs and demanding to be fed gets banished to a litterbox in the basement?

Do you want that for the Psalmtastic cat?

I don't. I want cuddles while watching movies and purring and that kitten-like kneading that tangles my hair. I want KITTEH WITTEH, not OMG YOU EFFING FELINE. This doesn't mean there aren't going to be hairballs, but maybe they can be conveniently expelled. Maybe there can be comforting words and gentle, chemical-free cleansers and a resilient carpet that stands up to whatever we give it. Maybe that self-same carpet can be soothingly high-pile and lint-free.

Maybe that carpet can be like God, and we can be gentle with our inner kittens, and we can all march forward knowing that there are scary dogs and frightening vet visits but that, ultimately, we'll reap with songs of joy.

Then we can be like this:

AWWWWW

And like this:

MEEEEEEEERRRR

And maybe even like this.

*CUTE BOMB DESTROYS INTERWEBZ*