HTML clipboard “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.” (Matt. 11:28,29)

Bonnie and Clyde. A famous pair of outlaws from the pages of American history. But at my house, these names have a totally different meaning. Bonnie and Clyde are a pair of Burmese cats who are living in my basement while their mistress is in the hospital. In their kitten days, these two did their best to live up to their namesakes, and though they are now “older” and “wiser”, their antics still conjure up memories of the famous outlaws!

Though we try to give the cats special attention, it is evident that they miss home. When I went downstairs this morning, I called them and patted my lap. Clyde jumped up immediately. He cuddled, he purred, and in the end, he went to sleep on my knee. But not Bonnie! She was too set on getting into the unfinished basement ceiling to accept my invitation! She prowled and meowed and generally made a pest of herself until I broke down and put her where she wanted to be.

This bought Clyde and me a few moments of peace – but only a few! As soon as Bonnie finished exploring the ceiling, she discovered the floor was too far down. She paced about, yowling and begging until I finally lifted the contented Clyde off my lap and went to her rescue. But as I stood up, she retreated into a hidden recess, just beyond my reach. I had to wait until she came out far enough for me to catch her leg and gently pull her down.

After all of that effort, you would think that Bonnie would have thanked me. She didn’t. She laid back her ears and glared, then she bee-lined for basement parts unknown.

The scene replayed in my mind as I rearranged the obliging Clyde onto my lap. My invitation had been for both cats. Bonnie refused it. She wanted everything to go her own way. She demanded things that weren’t good for her. She tried to solve her own problems, begging for help only as a last resort. Then she refused the help provided and got mad at the one who offered it. All the while, Clyde enjoyed a peaceful nap on my knees!

Then it occurred to me that humans are much like Bonnie and Clyde. We are all “outlaws” (Rom. 3:23: “For ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”!) Yet Jesus is there, wooing each one of us to “come unto Me all who are weary and heavy-burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28,29)!

Some of us, like Clyde, accept that invitation. We give ourselves to Him, and we accept His blessings and live contented, peaceful lives.

But some of us are like Bonnie. We get upset at God because things aren’t going our own way. We see God as Someone to be called upon when we are in trouble. We follow our own path, only crying out to God for help after we’ve exhausted all other possibilities. Then, if the help offered differs from what we expect, we get mad at God!

Which outlaw are you, my friends? Bonnie? Or Clyde?

Lyn Chaffart