“POOR” CHUBBS

I came across an old UPI article from 2018 that described the plight of Chubbs, a 10-year-old cat. This kitty was found strolling down the side of a busy Pasadena street. Chubb’s rescuer noticed, among other things, that the cat was poorly groomed, and had matted fur. However, there was another thing particularly noticeable about Chubbs. This characteristic, which one could guess by name alone, is Chubbs the cat was fat – a whole 29 pounds-worth.

Obese Neglection

Chubb’s Good Samaritan brought him to the local Humane Society, but he was too big for any of their standard kennels. So, the staff kept him in one of their offices. While trying to find his neglectful owner, they cleaned him, groomed him, and placed him on a diet.

But how, one might ask, can an overweight cat be ‘neglected’ ? You see, the article portrayed Chubbs as a victim of neglect. While this may be true due to him being abandoned, he certainly wasn’t starving. According to the article, his owner didn’t have the decency to groom Chubbs’ long fur, nor place him on a proper diet. Thus, neglected seems like the wrong word since Chubbs was by no means suffering aside from a few fur knots.

Chubbs situation can be a reflection of American society. The feline was obese and yet, somehow, “neglected”, despite the fact somebody was feeding Chubbs. A long time stray cat does not weigh 29 pounds from catching mice and, besides occasional flea maintenance, cats do not require grooming. Grooming themselves is a normal cat’s preoccupation. Though longer breeds might need a trim now and again, it’s not the norm. These features are some of the reasons why so many people prefer cats over dogs. Cats are relatively maintenance-free. You can leave them for days at a time, provided you maintain a clean litter box with a daily supply of water and food. This cat’s problem was that it ate too much free food and was in fact too lazy to groom himself.

Victim Of Sloth

It seems our society wants to portray every person with problems as a helpless victim. No one is to blame for their own problems, it’s always someone else’s fault. In reality, most of us are victims only of our own unrestrained appetites, lack of discipline, laziness, and foolish decisions.

But slothfulness is no modern-day development. Just look at Solomon’s admonitions in Proverbs 6:6-11: “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” Also consider Paul’s words concerning those “idlers” in the Thessalonian church. “We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. … For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat’” (2 Thessalonians 3:6-8).

God created us for something better, something higher than the life of an obese and unkempt cat. God’s plan for those He made in His image is for them to develop themselves, be responsible, make the best possible contribution to society, and to honor and obey the Lord.

PRAYER

Dear Father in heaven, help me to take an honest look at myself, get my ‘behind’ in gear, and get busy making the most of my life. Lord, I do need Your guidance, discipline, and confidence. But most of all I need motivation and drive. Father, the next five years will pass no matter what. May they not pass me by and leave me with nothing to show for them! For You made me for something greater than my present state. Amen.