Tilley thinks she can hide. She likes to hide. She runs from you if she thinks you want to get near her. Only on occassions does she really like to snuggle. Usually she tears off and scoots under the bed which had become her favorite hiding place. Sometimes you can find her under a chair or table, we've even found her under a dresser!

When Newton comes home he immediately does reconnaissance for the cat. Then, search and "rescue." He combs the downstairs, under beds, then heads upstairs where she is often found sunning in the girls bedroom window. A few days ago he couldn't find her. He enlisted my help. We headed upstairs - no Tilley. We looked in the office - no Tilley. We headed to our bedroom to look under the bed. We quickly noticed a lump under the covers. Tilley had found her way underneath the bedspread and planted herself where she was convinced she couldn't be seen! In her mind she was hidden. She was safe in her estimation. No-one would see her. The absurdity of it all was the lump under the covers. Of course we could see her! The lump gave her away.

This is a parable of my life. I think I'm safe and hidden. I try my best not to be exposed before God or men. I hide all my deficiencies and attempt to cover all my sins. But, there is always a lump! I'm the lump! I'm a walking picture of needing God and don't want to admit it.

The grace of the gospel is that God sees our lumps, knows we're hiding and graciously pursues us. He provides covering for our lumps and gives a spotless life that allows us to honestly admit we have spots. The gospel is everything. My cat continues to teach me.