The Cat of Many Colors

Last night I enjoyed the first of a series of oil painting classes. For my palette, I used a palette shaped board but it did not have a cover of any kind. As the class lasts for several weeks, I felt that I would like to figure something out to prevent the paint from drying out before the class ends, but I couldn't think of what to do... Meanwhile my palette sat out in the open. Before lunch I prepared the next board for next weeks class but I still hadn't figured out a solution for my oil painting palette. Quite honestly, I forgot about it as there were several other things pressing upon me and requiring my attention.

About three hours later, we happened to notice our cat who was soundly sleeping on the living room chair... he looked like he was bleeding. Upon closer inspection I immediately knew he had found my oil paint palette. He had blue's and reds all over his paws and in a few other places. Now how do you clean oil paint out of a cat?!? Chad was here and he was able to help me, thank goodness, because it was a minimum of a two person job! After rubbing as much off of him with a dry cloth, we decided it was time to use soap and water. Thankfully, oil paint is a vegetable base paint so it cleans up with soap and water quite nicely. However, Charlie did not like the tub of water we put him in. He kept meowing his displeasure, but you know he submitted to what we were doing. He got pretty wet, but he cleaned up well. There is a little residual on his paws that we were not able to get. Hopefully, he didn't swallow too much of it in his own efforts to remove it. Naturally, the chair he had been sleeping in, areas on the floor and other places he had been also needed attention.

There are two things about this experience that come to mind. First of all, it was pretty much my fault that he got into my paint. I had left it with the intention of taking care of it and then forgotten. Despite my fault, nobody pointed a single finger at me, for which I am deeply grateful. Instead, everyone pitched in and helped clean up the mess (the kids were home before we got done). Second of all, Charlie who was the one who suffered for my mistake, yet he didn't lash out or scratch or bite, he simply submitted to our ministrations and allowed us to clean him up. The effects of sin are so much like that paint! It leaves its telltale signs. When a person sins, pointing fingers of blame or accusation increase the damages by hurting relationships and feelings. There was none of this, not even from Charlie. Sometimes we are hurt by other peoples mistakes, yet Charlie taught me something about how to respond to that kind adversity. He submitted and allowed me to do my best to correct the problem. Sometimes when we are hurt we fight back and make it difficult for others to correct their mistakes. In some cases we even refuse to recognize their efforts. We must never give in to this type of temptation. 

Charlie's example of submission also teaches me to submit to the ministrations of my Savior in my life as He helps me overcome my weaknesses and mistakes. The process isn't always easy, in fact it usually is hard, but it is always worth it. Imagine... To discover such lessons from a cat! I am thankful to be reminded of the joy of the atonement today. I have had much on my mind, and to discover these simple yet divine truths in a simple experience is exciting and joyful. Oh, and Charlie cleaned up beautifully as he dried near the warmth of the fireplace.