Sychar Evangelical Lutheran Church
  • Home
  • Sermons
  • Events & Happenings
  • Children & Youth
  • About
    • Vision Statement
    • Contact
    • Staff
    • Policies
    • FAQ
  • Whats The Word


Cats and Dogs

11/3/2021

 
​I guess the first time I heard the phrase was when I was about six or seven years old and was surprised to hear it used referencing me.  A friend and I had gotten into a disagreement about something of absolutely no consequence to adults.  But to kids, it was almost the end of the world. We started arguing and name-calling, then shoving, then ended up rolling on the ground for bragging rights as to who was right, but more importantly – who was wrong. On reflection of half a century, I am pretty sure I was the one in the wrong.  However, the revelation came when my grandfather was talking about the incident with my friend's father.  He described our altercation as "going at it like cats and dogs." Now, what did that mean? My friend was wiser in the ways of the world then and grinned when he heard that phrase.  He pointed at me and said I must be the cat.  Really? With the passage of time comes the wisdom of experience, nevertheless I still tend to scratch my head.  I mean think about it.  This is where Cathy tells me that I am putting too much thought into it already.   Pressing on. Cats and dogs, for the most part, tend to either get along or at least tolerate one another.  The most endearing memory of cats and dogs not getting along was a Warner Brothers cartoon from the 1950s, where a ferocious dog is chasing Sylvester, the cat.  That was family entertainment for children and we couldn't get enough of it every Saturday morning.  Now, we are in a different culture where such cartoons are deemed either too violent, not socially appropriate, or insulting to someone somewhere. Thank goodness for the YouTube search feature. Back to reality.  Cats and dogs have many admirable and practical characteristics.  In the US alone there are millions of these four-leged animals that provide companionship. They are patient, attentive for the most part, and rarely do you hear them complain unless they need to be fed, taken outside, or are in need of affection.  Unless you have allergies, who doesn’t like kittens and puppies.  Kind of like children that way.  So cute when so little, then they grow up.  It seems though that with cats and dogs as they get older, they become more loyal and attached to their humans. Then there is the all-important economic impact.  Cats and dogs are a multi-billion dollar industry.  There is the food, comfort items, toys, veterinary bills, grooming, and on and on. On several occasions, I have been visiting residents at nursing homes.  Two things bring immediate joy to the residents – young children and pets. We are fortunate in that we have both – a cat, Sophie, and a dog-Maggie. I am convinced they both have human personas. Sophie has a determined expression and if she could talk, we would hear Stewie Griffin from the cartoon show, Family Guy.  Maggie, however, is the pure personification of a fellow canine, Odie, from the cartoon series, Garfield.  Sophie takes everything in stride.  Maggie always wants to let you know she is there. Even if absent for only an hour, Maggie reacts as though we have been gone for days.  She is big enough that when I sit down, she can put both of her paws on my shoulders and goes eyeball-to-eyeball.  She looks as though she is saying, “Where have you been?  I missed you, now sit there and take your face exfoliation.  Sophie and Maggie are not best friends, but they do tolerate each other. It is disappointing that humans can’t follow the example of cats and dogs in finding whatever it takes to mutually get along together.  We have more labels that separate us than bond us to a common purpose. I take heart in realizing that God created cats and dogs and that they can get along quite well.  God created us and we can get along just as well.  That being the case, I don't mind being the cat or the dog. Our encouragement verse for this week is: Romans 12:18  (ESV)“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” May you be blessed by God's word.~Chris Article Written by Chris Belfield

Comments are closed.

    Archives

    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Afterlife
    Baptism
    Catechism
    Christmas
    Church Conflict
    Communion
    Confirmation
    Divorce
    Easter
    End Times
    Ethics
    Evangelism
    Faith
    God & Human Suffering
    Grace
    Guest Preachers
    Love
    Lutheranism
    Lutheran Reformation
    New Testament Characters
    Old Testament Characters
    Palm Sunday
    Parables Of Jesus
    Pentecost
    Prayer
    Religion & Science
    Resurrection
    Sainthood
    Salvation
    Scripture
    Sermon On The Mount
    Small Catechism
    Spiritual Gifts
    Suicide
    Temptation
    Ten Commandments
    Testimony
    The Bible And Food
    Transfiguration
    Virgin Birth

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Sermons
  • Events & Happenings
  • Children & Youth
  • About
    • Vision Statement
    • Contact
    • Staff
    • Policies
    • FAQ
  • Whats The Word