I am having a fairly casual, fun Friday, so I am not quite as full of words as I’ve been in recent days. So, I looked to my namesake, C.S. Lewis (spelled out Clive Staples), the prolific author and theologian, for some inspirational thoughts to share with you. Here’s the one that jumped out for today:

“Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different…” (Prince Caspian, 1951).

My mom for the first five years of my life sent her friend—my current mom—a picture of me when I was only six months old. Wow! I was little!

But I see a few ways that show me how I resemble my current self, in that picture alone.

• I still look up in that dreamy, pensive manner.
• I still am uber cute.
• I still have striking markings and a wonderful fur pattern that I was born with.

And, from hearing stories about when I was a kitten, much is similar about me that may not be obvious from looking at photos:

• I still love to jump up onto “my” humans.
• I still love to eat.
• I am always right in the middle of all the action.
• I am more dog like in my pursuit of people.
• I am not a fierce hunter—I have always played with bugs and mice instead of demolishing them.

But, looking at the picture of me today , you can also see one very obvious fact: I have more than tripled in size! I have grown up. Like many humans say, “I’m not sure when that happened, I don’t feel any older.” Neither do I.

Despite few changes in me, in the last two plus years since we met, my new Mom has experienced significant changes in her life:

• She lived with two ladies—and now she is married to a loving man.
• She moved from a home on five acres on a lovely property to an apartment close to her husband’s work. (I joined her here a few months into her marriage).
• She has moved from being an employee to running her own business.
• She not only writes and edits for others, but she has begun publishing stories about her life.

So, my Mom’s life has changed far more than mine did, but she, at her core, is still the same: a woman who loves Jesus, others dear to her and me, a cat she is blessed to know.

Applications for Life
As we approach Thanksgiving in the U.S., I, Clive’s Mom, am taking stock of where I’ve been and where I’m at today. I’m making a list, thanking God for all the consistencies, changes, blessings and challenges. Then, as the New Year approaches, I’ll begin to pray for His direction about what to change and what to keep the same. Perhaps you’ll be led to join me in this reflective time of gratitude and prayer.

Spiritual Insights
“O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting” (1 Chronicles 16:34, NASB).

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philipians 4:6–7, ESV).