Stuck

For the last couple of mornings I have been fascinated by watching my kittens investigate the squirrels in our backyard. Our male kitten, Boo, is particularly mesmerized. He positions himself at the base of a tree and studies squirrels for 30-45 solid minutes at a time each morning.

It appears he is trying to determine if they are dangerous, or if he can take them on. Each pump on their fluffy squirrel tails causes him to adjust his posture. He vacillates between preparing to pounce and retreating.

This morning he appeared to have had all he could take. As a particularly spunky squirrel chattered at him tauntingly, Boo made his choice. In one swift move, he went from the base of the tree to this little perch (8 feet up).

Predictably, his prey darted further up the tree--still out of reach. And Boo quickly realized he was stuck. He had been so intent on the object of his desire, consequences weren't even on his radar screen. He was 8 feet up with no escape route--except me. I suppose I could have left him there to teach him a lesson, but one little plaintive meow was all it took for me to climb up on the fence and rescue my fluffy friend. I took pity on him because I can identify with ending up in a situation I never intended--all because the thrill of the chase clouded any thoughts of what might happen next.

How often we humans end up passionately darting into a precarious position with no clear escape route because we are overtaken by the moment. For Boo it is squirrels, but we each have different temptations. We see examples all around us.
The small talk that escalates into a gossip-fueled conversation.
The recreational 'fun' that puts us in a dangerous spot.
The innocent flirting that becomes a tangled web.
The slight misrepresentation/exaggeration that becomes a full-blown lie.
The things we buy simply because we 'want' them, even when we aren't sure how we will pay for it (or explain it to our spouse).
The words we speak in anger, forgetting how impossible it will be to take them back.

Lord, give us discernment in the heat of the moment to think forward about consequences. May we look before we leap. Thank you that when we fail to do so, even though there will likely still be consequences, You are faithful to provide a way out. You love us too much to leave us stuck.

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. I Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)