Religious Ramblings

Why is it that people seek out God only when things are bad? I teach in a Christian school and admit I've recently been guilty of really only thoughtfully praying during bad times. Last weekend, my friend and I rode down to Nashville to celebrate the wedding of one of our sorority sisters. As we were preparing to leave Sunday morning, my mom told us their two cats escaped during the night and only one had returned. As of today, Charlie is still missing. Both of the cats have been indoor cats their whole lives, so Charlie lacks street sense. He's also not entirely a cat-cat as some of his instincts are lacking. He is so darn cute and lovable, though. Obviously, that event has led to a whole lot of prayer. I have even been quoting Scripture (Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. --Philippians 4:7 New Living Translation and Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?²⁸"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. --Matthew 6:25-34 NIV). If God cares for birds, surely He cares about and for Charlie. This has been a humbling experience in seeing that most of my prayer revolves around requests. What I want. This is what God wants to an extent, mixed in with some praise, too. I'll still keep sending up a request for a safe return, though. I hope you will pray to whatever ultimate your religion dictates as well.