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Guys Night In

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Hanging out with my Dad
Hanging out with my Dad

Experiencing An Unusual Weekend. Friday evening, I began to notice something unusual: Mom wasn’t home. She and my Dad are usually together—after all, they are still newlyweds since they have been married under two years.

Daddy came home from the grocery store and was working on his blog, Hiking with Your Honey. He sat in his normal writing spot at the table, and I sat with Him for a while in peace next to his feet. I was also brave going outside with him. At night, the scary mechanical birds they call airplanes don’t seem to fly overhead as much (we live right by an airport).

Every time Dad got up, I expected him to go to the door, and that Mom would walk in. But she didn’t. I began to get stressed. Dad couldn’t figure out why I was stressed and tried to feed me, cleaned my box, and scratched my head. The petting eased my pain a little, and I calmed down because it was time to go to bed.

The next day, though, Dad didn’t engage in the normal routine of having our “couch time” Bible study right away. He had a morning appointment and much to do that Saturday, so he got busy with our technological tasks and laundry.

Crying Out for A Familiar, Comforting Activity. I kept meowing at Him, missing my Mom. I looked all around the apartment and couldn’t find her. But I was also meowing because I could tell my Dad wasn’t Himself either.

Finally, in an effort to comfort me, my Dad did something that comforted us both.

He went to the couch for “couch time.” He got out my favorite blanket and our devotional books, and I ran up and jumped on His lap, like I always do. He began to read and pray like he and Mom normally do each morning.

Finding Peace. I think I was comforted by routine being reestablished and He was comforted by God, who was speaking to my Dad that it is His power that enables people to get tasks done and His Spirit that enables people to find the best direction for the day.

A few hours later, Mom came home. I was so excited to see her. I ran to her when the door opened and Dad picked me up so we could have a parent sandwich. My purring motor roared with delight, and all was well.

Understanding that the Discomfort Had a Purpose. It turns out, Mom was at a women’s conference at her church. She loves her boys at home, but every once in a while, she needs extended fellowship and teaching with just the ladies. She came home tired from the deep teaching, but with a satisfied soul. When she arose this morning, she was refreshed and happy. We had our normal “couch time” once again—and all was well.

Applications for Life

When your routine changes and discomfort ensues, consider engaging in a comforting activity to help divert your mind from your new circumstances. I also encourage you to find someone to pray with.

I hear my parents pray that God would show them what He wants them to learn about the circumstance. Finally, give thanks in the everyday for the “normal” patterns of life—for the people that you love, and the activities and routines that make up your life. Appreciate the simple things and the little moments—you are storing memories and treasures in your heart to get you through the challenges.

“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

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Interruptions Are Invaluable

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One of my favorite interruptions…The Mama Sandwich

Hello humans, Clive here. I’m feeling a little on the philosophical side lately, and so, for a few posts, Mom and I are beginning to share reflections about famous quotes from my namesake, C.S. Lewis. 

Today we start with:  “The truth is, of course, that what one regards as interruptions are precisely one’s life.”
—Collected Works of C. S. Lewis” (1994)

I know that my entire life is made up of interruptions. I was created to have my prowling and napping interrupted by the companionship of my humans—and I am thrilled by it each time. I never know what my people are going to do, nor am I ever in control of their actions.

I just know that I can be in a deep cat nap, dreaming of playing with a mouse, and Mom moves, and I am so excited to wake up and follow her wherever she is going.

I do more than follow, though. I interrupt her back by trying to stand in front of her so that she will stop and pet me along her way.

If she goes to the kitchen, I interrupt her from cooking or doing dishes with howling and begging because I am sure that she will make something yummy and share a little portion of it with me. I really use that interruption to go after my passion.

Sometimes she interrupts my nap because I look so cuddly just to pet me, or use me as a pillow, in what she calls a mamma sandwich. I love it—but not forever. I don’t like to admit that her head will squash me after a while because I am a burly 23 pounds, but I have to tell her and meow after a few minutes that her head gets heavy on my back.

Even when my parents feed me each morning, I interrupt myself after a couple bites of nourishment to greet to run out and greet them affectionately for a few minutes before I go and devour the rest of my morning meal.

I am not stressed by interruptions…I like them—and maybe some part of them knows that they are unavoidable, since they are caused by humans—and humans are bigger than cats. Sometimes I wonder why humans are so distressed, when their loving Heavenly Father causes interruptions. He is bigger than they are, just like my humans are bigger than me. He causes all things to work together for good (Romans 8:28), just like my humans are always looking out what’s best for me.

Maybe it’s just about a slight shift in perspective. Maybe the frustrations can become joys…and maybe you will begin to treasure the interruptions like I do.

Mom’s Musings

Sometimes appreciating interruptions is as simple as anticipating blessings from them. I encourage you to be observant of your changed circumstances. Ask God to show you a purpose in deviating your plans. Ask Him to help let you heart be open so that you can receive an unexpected blessing. I’ve received more of these than I can count. Clive and I will talk more about this tomorrow.

Get a sneak peak about an interruption today on my husband’s blog, Hiking with Your Honey.

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Living Up to My Name

Clive in his best British pose...sitting like a human, with his portly potbelly on parade
Clive in his best British pose…sitting like a human, with his portly potbelly on parade

The first human I knew as mom named me after a famous author and theologian, C.S. Lewis. C.S. is short for Clive Staples. C.S. Lewis’ nickname was Jack—and so is mine. I answer to both Clive and Jack.

One reason why my mom, who writes this blog and adopted me, looks for insights from me about life and God is because of my name.

Because Mom loves me, she has done some research about the man I was named after, and hopes to read more of his books someday. Mom read Mere Christianity many years ago. Dad loved The Chronicles of Narnia and the movies made about them.

According to C.S. Lewis’ publisher, Harper Collins Publishing, Lewis wrote more than 30 books including the ones previously mentioned and other well-known classics such as Silent Planet, The Great Divorce and The Screwtape Letters.

Periodically on this blog, my mom and I may share my thoughts evoked from selected C.S. Lewis quotes.

Today, however, let’s go back and to consider the power and image that names evoke.

In addition to thoughts about the person I am named after, my name evokes other images and actions—much less serious than the ones above:

  • My parents start to talk to me in a British accent when they call me Clive. They have fun with their voices even though Mom’s a Midwestern Southern girl transplant, and Dad naturally talks like a hillbilly from Kentucky combined with boarding school charm.
  • I sit in a very civilized manner, to live up to my British name. I sit up like a human and, because we Brits can be portly (I am a 23-pound feline hunk of love), I have to let my tummy hang out. All that’s missing is my top hat and round reading spectacles on my eyes.
  • I love an afternoon sip of Mom’s tea (or should I call her Mum) followed by a few cat naps—I’m very British indeed—just like my name.

Applications for Business and Life

Do you know who you were named for, if anyone? Have you ever looked up the meaning of your name? It can be give you interesting insights to learn your name’s origin and meaning. It can also encourage you to live up to the aspects of your name that you would like to emulate.

What do your family members and friends think when they hear your name? Have you ever asked them to describe your personality with three adjectives? Try it! It can be fun.

If you have a small business, what impressions come to your audience or clients when they hear your name or your business name? Why not ask them or survey them sometime and find out?

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