Clive, my 23-pound tabby hunk of feline love, teaches me life lessons every day. I thought it was high time that I shared his words with you.

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I comfort my parents when they don’t feel good. Today my mom had to lie down because she wasn’t feeling well. I can always tell, somehow. I know I just need to lay there with her, and  I gently lick her hands. I then nestle my head in her hand, and go to sleep with her. I know that just my presence and companionship helps her rest comfortably.

I serve as a second alarm clock. Sometimes my parents are still tired when they know it is time to get up early in the morning during the week. Daddy comes to wake me up and to let me out of my room because I wake up easier than mommy does. Then, he goes back and gently snuggles with her to make starting the day seem a little easier. The only problem is, that when he is still tired, sometimes he falls back asleep when he gets back in bed to comfort her. But, thankfully, I know that they are supposed to be up.

I meow at the door and tell them it is time for our morning couch time. That’s when we read Scripture and pray over our day, and listen to what God may be saying to us. If they don’t hear me meow, I jump up on the bed, climb on top of them and meow in their ears. Then, they finally get up, and our day can get started.

I make happy noises when I sleep, encouraging my parents to rest when they need it. Many cats are nocturnal, but I am not. Once it is dark and I have enjoyed my evening meal, I want go to sleep. My parents, on the other hand, begin to write their blogs. They sit up in their bed, and I lie at their feet. I make happy noises as I dream about them petting me, enjoying another meal or maybe having other courageous cat adventures. I think that when they see me relaxed and comfortable, it makes them want to finish. They are reminded to push through what they have to get done, but to also remember that only so much can be done in a day. Soon they finish their blogs—and call it a night.

I have done my part once again.

Applications for Life

Some days—especially on the weekends—your “part” may be rest and recovery. Even if you are up against a deadline, you may be best served by recharging your batteries. What recharges you? What do you find restful? Do you have enough “scheduled” rest time? The alarm clock of Monday morning or other times of “must do now” will inevitably come, so take down time as often as you need it. After all, Clive does!

Spiritual Insight

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work” (Genesis 2:2, NIV).

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Loral, in addition to being Clive’s mom, does her part as  a professional writer and editor. She helps authors and businesses get whatever message is in their heads out to their target audiences. If you need help crafting a creative campaign, evaluating your content or completing a book, blog or other materials, check out her services at cowriterpro.com. 

Clive, my 23-pound tabby hunk of feline love, teaches me life lessons every day. I thought it was high time that I shared his words with you.

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OK, I’m awake again after maybe 10 catnaps in the last 24 hours. So, let me see—here’s part two of me telling you what I do to “do my part” in my family.

I provide constant companionship. Before my mom moved to Tennessee, she didn’t have a cat, and she worked in an office rather than at home. When she decided to stay home after she got married to start her own editing and writing business, she was worried about feeling lonely. Well, I take care of that. I am with her all day—I am touching her legs right now!

I entertain and converse. Since my mom doesn’t talk to other humans during the business day until my daddy gets home, she entertains herself with all the dialog you are now reading between us. I am thinking that this blog may turn into a book if she keeps recording all of my insightful thoughts.

I converse with my daddy too. He talks to me as he gets ready, feeds me in the mornings and puts me to bed at night. Sometimes my mommy get confused when she hears him talking to me. After my daddy is talking to me sometimes, she will say, “What did you say, baby?” She only calls him baby, so I know she is talking to him, and I am not a baby…I am full grown, thank you very much!

I show—and allow—affection. I’ve already told you about the extensive jumping up in my parents’ laps and how I constantly follow them around. But I haven’t mentioned “mamma sandwiches.” When my mom wants to show me her love, she lays her head on top of me, and I just purr. She doesn’t squash me, and I am big, so I can take it. I’m including a picture so you can see below.

I beg for food to keep my parents weight down. My parents, who were both in really good shape when they met, found a few pounds in their first year of marriage. Since they have to put on their fur and they don’t want to have to buy bigger sizes, they have to watch their food intake. I beg for food before they finish. I do love food, but I am really just helping them with their personal goals. It’s the least I could do for all they do for me.

Wow. I’m getting tired reading all I do again. Time for another snooze. Good night.

Spiritual Insights

God gives all of us roles suited just for how He created us. Clive has been given the important tasks described above. If you are like me, you may not always feel like you understand why you are called to do what you are called to do during certain seasons of life, but if you know what your current part it, God calls you to do it with excellence. God is pleased when you do your part joyfully. When you do, His love shines through you.

“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17, NKJV).

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10, NKJV).

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Loral, in addition to being Clive’s mom, does her part as  a professional writer and editor. She helps authors and businesses get whatever message is in their heads out to their target audiences. If you need help crafting a creative campaign, evaluating your content or completing a book, blog or other materials, check out her services at cowriterpro.com. 

Clive, my 23-pound tabby hunk of feline love, teaches me life lessons every day. I thought it was high time that I shared his words with you.

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I, Clive the Cat, do my part to be useful, entertaining and loving to my parents. I don’t know why I do what I do—I’m just a cat, after all. But today I’d thought I’d share with you what I do. My mom seems to find some kind of lesson from everything—I’m kind of glad she has someone else to talk about them too now.

I am a bookstand. When my parents get up in the morning, they read devotional books and the Bible. I like to be right in the middle of the action, and their laps are only big enough for either the books or for me. So, what’s our solution? They lay the books on my back. As long as they scratch under my chin when they read, I am totally fine with it. I love hearing their voices as they read, pray and learn.

I bow my head and cross my paws in prayer. As my parents pray, I lower my head and cross my. That’s what they do, and I want to be like them, so I imitate them. I humble myself with them, and I usually wait until they are done before I get up.

I come running when I am called. This behavior is unlike most other felines, so I am told. When I hear my parent’s say my name, I can’t help but running to them. I love jumping onto their laps and letting them pet me. I love their companionship.

I have much more to say, but it is time for one of my naps. I think I’ll elaborate on the other ways I “do my part” in days to come.

Applications for life and business

How do you provide foundational support (like a bookstand) to others in your household, business or community in the midst of activities that they have orchestrated? Are you patient and helpful as you wait until its time for you to do something that may be more beneficial to you?

Spiritual Insights

Are you taking the time necessary to listen and let God lead into something that is bigger than you? Is he telling you to be still? Or is He saying that its time to get up and run? If you are not sure, ask him to quiet your mind as you wait for an answer. “

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3, NKJV).

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Loral, Clive’s mom, is a professional writer and editor who helps authors and businesses get whatever message is in their heads out to their target audiences. If you need help crafting a creative campaign, evaluating your content or completing a book, blog or other materials, check out her services at cowriterpro.com. 

Clive, my 23-pound tabby hunk of feline love, teaches me life lessons every day. I thought it was high time I shared his words with you.

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Fearing New Situations. One time my parents took me, Clive the Cat, to some of their friends to house sit and care for another creature of my kind—yes, they were caring for another cat. Everything since the beginning of this adventure had been scary. Watching my parents pack was scary because they were going to leave, but then I was relieved for a moment because they took me with them. Riding in a car was scary because we were so much closer to those monsters I see from  our patio. The car got a little better when my mom decided to hold me outside of my cage, though. Then, being put back into the cage and being carried to a strange new house was scary.

Vocalizing Anguish. I let my parents know under no uncertain terms that I didn’t like all this change with my deep howls and allowing my hair to stand up on end. But none of the previous events were as scary as encountering a fluffy white creature with green eyes once the door of the new home was opened and my cage was set down on the floor.

Would my parents love him more than me? Why were they petting him? I hissed at him through my cage and roared at him with a growl 10 times deeper than the ones I had uttered up to this point.

Observing a Different Reaction. But he—I heard my parents call him Ivan—wasn’t looking at me. In fact, he wasn’t flinching at all. He just kept looking up as my daddy bent down to pet him. Ivan was even raised up on his back legs to get up to my daddy’s hand.

Lacking Understanding. How could this white creature not even be looking at me—and be in so much peace as if nothing was upsetting—when I was in so much duress?

I couldn’t understand his behavior. I learned later that Ivan is deaf.

But, then, in an instant, his demeanor changed.

My daddy walked away, and Ivan stopped looking up. Instead, he looked around only at his own level. Then he saw me. He saw my mouth moving. And his peace vanished. He realized there was an enemy in his house.

Intervening Protection from Above. But Ivan wasn’t in any danger from me. I was caged. I couldn’t hurt him—and he couldn’t hurt me. My parents kept us separated the entire time. In so doing, they kept us both safe. I am always amazed that my parents are so protective of me and that they always know what to do—and I am so thankful to have them.

Spiritual Insights

Just like Clive, we get scared anytime we encounter something new. We may even growl and complain in protest in a Clive-like manner. We might face these fears when we meet people for the first time,  go to a doctor,  move because of a job transfer or speak in public. Regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in, God is in our midst, intervening from above.

God calls us to keep looking at Him when we don’t understand. He tells us to, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2, NLT).

In Ivan’s case, he couldn’t hear something at his own level. That shows me that sometimes God keeps us from seeing the entirety of the situation for our own protection. Sometimes, we may be aware of the dangers, and God offers a way to peace. He says that we should be “Keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith” (Hebrews 12:2, NLT).

I’ve certainly found that looking up at God has kept me more peaceful than focusing on my momentary difficulties and ongoing challenges.

Applications for Life and Business

Are  new, scary or overwhelming scenarios facing you today? What has your reaction been so far? Are you at peace or are you growling in dismay? If you are growling internally or even out loud, consider a different reaction. Look up and focus on things above—and trust that God that He knows what’s best. Ask Him for wisdom and to lessen your anxiety. He will get you through the situation and make you stronger in the process.

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Loral, Clive’s mom, in addition to helping Clive look up, is a professional writer and editor who helps authors and businesses get whatever message is in their heads out to their target audiences. If you need help crafting a creative campaign, evaluating your content or completing a book, blog or other materials, check out her services at cowriterpro.com. 

Clive, my 23-pound tabby hunk of feline love, teaches me life lessons every day. I thought it was high time I shared his words with you.

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Crying Uncontrollably. I, Clive the Cat, can be crying uncontrollably for food, and pacing the hall if my parents are moving around doing something. It’s not my meal time, but I can become obsessed thinking about food.

They go down that hallway to feed me and when they get ready to leave. I get so scared that they are leaving and will forget to feed me. I wonder if I will need to contact PETA if they don’t feed me. I wonder if mom left her laptop open and I can try to find a local hotline or something.

Intervening of Others Who See Clearly. But what I don’t know is that too much of a good thing makes me sick. My parents have to ration my food—otherwise I eat too much of it. They are just concerned about me, and they don’t want me to get heart disease and die—because that would surely break their hearts.

Replacing the Desparation. I’m always amazed that Mom and Dad know me so well, though—and I’m so glad that they know what to do. They know that if I am distressed, all they have to do is to pick me up and get me back on to their laps.

Shifting My Mindset to Gratitude Changes My Outlook. Nine out of 10 times I am not really hungry and I really don’t need food. Knowing my parents love me calms me. It doesn’t matter how upset I think I am. When they pick me up and put me back on their laps, it makes me purr snort every time. I can relax. I am no longer distressed. In fact, I even start kneeding them my paws even kneed them, and then my motor roars. I now feel like a lion.

How do I suddenly shift from the deep distress of surely coming starvation to exemplifying my majestic prowess?

Because now I sit one of my parent’s laps—the best place ever—and I am comforted from whatever is wrong by just being there, knowing I am unconditionally loved.

Spiritual Insights:

Watching this transformation ministers to my frustrated, pent-up, things aren’t happening fast enough, sometimes discouraged soul. I ask God to show me how I am like Clive begging for extra meals. God says, “Come to Me, and let me support you as you rest in my arms, laying your head on My lap. Let Me show you that I’ve got this issue and you.”

He goes on to speak to my heart: “Stay snuggled up to Me, because just like you move when it is time to feed Clive, I will move you and gently scoot you up to walk you to where your next meal is. But, meantime, enjoy your place here—in my my lap—letting you lavish me in my love.” Thank you, Lord. I’m so grateful for your words.

Applications for Life and Business:

Like Clive, do you have tendencies to obsess about how much you think you want something? Perhaps God is tempering your need or want for a greater purpose. Or, perhaps the timing isn’t right.

Ask God or others for help and perspective. Comfort yourself by going somewhere or doing something else that you know is good for you. Sometimes it can be as simple as talking a walk and noticing something beautiful in creation. I just went on one. It works wonders. Start to feel thankful for that shift that takes place, and watch your spirit soar as you enjoy where you are.

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Loral, Clive’s mom, in addition to diverting Clive’s distress, is a professional writer and editor who helps authors and businesses get whatever message is in their heads out to their target audiences. If you need help crafting a creative campaign, evaluating your content or completing a book, blog or other materials, check out her services at cowriterpro.com. 

Clive, my 23-pound tabby hunk of feline love, teaches me life lessons every day. I thought it was high time I shared his words with you.

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I, Clive the Cat, hear my parents often say that I am more like a dog. I think they may be right, because I follow them around everywhere. I can’t help it! I love being with them! Well, I like to sleep and eat, but when I am awake and fed, I’m wherever they are.

I go to the productive places. My mommy’s laptop is always on her lap when she is home because she has much to do to write everything that I say and to finish her other writing and editing work. But, I always jump right between her lap and her hands. If she doesn’t stop to play with me. I push those black buttons and type for myself.

I go to the yummy places. If my parents are eating, I sit on the floor beside the dining room table. I usually put my front paws on the side of one of my parent’s chairs. I know that if I am too aggressive—if I jump onto their chairs or onto the table, I will get a spanking. It’s a much better strategy for me to play cute and let out a gentle meow. Then, they will likely share a bite of something yummy with me. But if I try to get something for myself from the table, I usually don’t get anything—except for a running start down the hall to try to escape punishment from my daddy.

I go to the scary places. Sometimes my parents eat outside on the patio. It is scary and loud because of the large moving objects around us. My parents call them cars and trucks. I call them monsters. There are even louder monsters in the sky, because we live near an airport. I gently tiptoe outside with my back curled ready to recoil if necessary. I always stay hidden under one of my parent’s chairs, but it’s worth being scared to be near them.

I go to the stinky places. I even follow my parents to the bathroom, and I sit on my mom’s or dad’s feet. They try to close the door to keep me out, but it doesn’t shut all the way, so I bust in. If they do close a door, I howl until they come to open it.

I go to the loving places. I go to the couch where my parents sit and snuggle and wedge myself between them. If they are laying down watching a movie, I get to jump up and watch it with them. If they are loving each other as a married couple, they don’t notice me for a while, but I know they will eventually pet me again!
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Applications for relationships and business: Do you occasionally show the people that you love them with dog-like enthusiasm? Make it a point to be obvious about your feelings of affection—at least once in a while. Everyone needs that kind of attention from time to time!

In business, where are your customers? You may have to go to where they are—and, just like Clive, you may have to go outside of your comfort zone to be in the place that may benefit you the most. 

Spiritual insights: Just like cat owners can’t get away from a cat that is a people cat, you can’t away from a people-loving God. I love that God pursues me so intently with the words and images He shows me through His Word. I love that Jesus came to be with people on earth so that He could be where they were, to reconcile them to a Holy God. Oh, how He loves and wants to be with all those He created! I also believe that God is a gentleman and will pursue anyone who wants to be open to know Him. If you want a deeper spiritual journey or if you want to know about Jesus Christ, read—or dig deeper—into the Bible.
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Loral, Clive’s mom, in addition to being everywhere Clive is, is a professional writer and editor who helps authors and businesses get whatever message is in their heads out to their target audiences. If you need help crafting a creative campaign, evaluating your content or completing a book, blog or other materials, check out her services at cowriterpro.com. 

Clive, my 23-pound tabby hunk of feline love, teaches me life lessons every day. I thought it was high time I shared his words with you. 

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I’ve got gunk. Every morning when I, Clive the Cat, wake up, part of my morning routine is letting my mom get the “gunk” out of my eyes. It’s this icky, crusty brown stuff. Because it keeps my eyes shut, it can be hard for me to wake up and get to my morning hair tie chase time, or to jump up onto my mom’s lay for essential head scratching time

I resisted help because I didn’t know better. When Mom first started trying to get my gunk out, I didn’t like it. In fact, I would squirm and contort to get away. That was a futile effort—she never let me go.

I didn’t know life without the “gunk,” and I guess I just accepted it as part of my limitations of being feline—kind of like how I have to rely on these tall creatures to feed me.

I’m better off without my “gunk.” But now after a few weeks of her forcing me to sit still, I know that once she gets the crusty, stuck part out, it is then easier for me to get about the business of being a cat. I can then use my own paws so that I can then finish washing the rest of my face and giving myself a bath.

Not only can I finish my self-grooming, but I can also see more clearly to run to my fresh morning bowl of food, and, once I am nourished, I have the energy to run into my parents lap for plenty of head petting and purring for my favorite activity ever: couch time.

So, instead of backing away like I used to when my mom gets my gunk out, I sit still and let her help me. When she is finished, I show my gratitude by licking her fingers. I know that her getting my gunk out is a much faster way for me to get to my ultimate goal. I know that she is loving me by helping me, and I celebrate how I am getting better—without the gunk and with her help.

Applications for Your Business and Life: What gunk are you living with? Who can you ask for help getting it out? Is there someone you already know who is ready and able to help? Is there someone you could ask for a referral? Should you call a graphic designer, a personal trainer, a doctor, a house cleaner—or perhaps a counselor or pastor?

Getting help may be just what you need. Ask God to help you push aside any pride, and ask Him and others who you trust about who—or what—you might need to get help with.

Just like Clive, you could find that with that help, you may get to your daily tasks faster—and ultimately have more energy for the things in life that you treasure the most.

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Loral, Clive’s mom, in addition to helping Clive get the gunk out, is a professional writer and journalist who helps authors and businesses get whatever message is in their heads out to their target audiences. If you need help crafting a creative campaign, evaluating your content or editing a book, blog or other materials, check out her services at cowriterpro.com.