Knowing Better

The other day as I came into the living room, there was a flutter of wings and a lot of commotion near the birdcage. Upon investigating I discovered that my cat had managed to get himself in between the house plants and the cage and it was really upsetting the birds. Now, Charlie knows better. We have gotten after him a number of times over the last year for similar incidents. In fact, he even knocked the birdcage down one Sunday shortly after we got him. It scared him so bad that he went and hid until we got home from church. Thankfully the birds had the good sense to stay in the cage because they could have gotten out. So he knows better. Stuck in a space barely big enough to turn around, he was caught and reprimanded. I firmly said, "Charlie, get out of there!" And it was enough to send him running. He literally exuded guilt. 

He is similar when it comes to scratching the furniture. He knows better, he knows that that isn't allowed. But for some reason he can't seem to resist. When I hear it happening, All I have to do is firmly call out "Charlie, stop it!" Usually he'll stop and slink away but if he doesn't, all I have to do is start walking toward him, and off he goes.

It is an interesting phenomenon. Not only do I see it in my cat, but I have witnessed it in my children quite often. I have to chuckle when I come around the kitchen corner, just in those hours before it's time to eat, and discover them they're eating something that they know they shouldn't be eating that close to supper. They always jump, or act guilty, or try to sneak away without discovery. But I know that they know better.

What is it about us, that when we know better, we still justify doing something we know we shouldn't do. I have taken the opportunity over a period of several years, for frequent self-introspection. I have always had a high guilt consciousness, or as I often fondly refer to it as my overactive conscience. However, I am thankful for my conscience. It has prevented me from doing things that I knew I should not do and as a result, I have seldom found myself stuck between houseplants and birdcages, wishing for a way to escape. I am so thankful for this blessing. I don't know what I did to deserve such a diligent conscience, but I am thankful to my Heavenly Father for it. It has never steered me wrong. Doing something you know is wrong, even when no one is around, will never relieve you of the guilt and regrets that come with it... Especially when you know better.

I will continue to remind my cat to behave. I will continue to remain my children of the blessings of obedience. And I will continue to be grateful for my own blessing of an overactive conscience. Listening to that conscience has become a source of joy that brings with it peace and happiness. I am thankful that I know better!