Lessons on Prayer From A Hamster

So we return again to the lowly hamster. I've blogged about them before.

Over the years I have, thanks to hamsters, been the beneficiary of an occasional good reminder. Today's reflection begins with a bit of hamster basics: they sleep at day and run around their cage all night. They're nocturnal. This is not a plus. They can be noisy at night, running on the wheel and making their various noises.

So when we bought yet another hamster this year (they don't live long, either, which is also a bummer) it was decided to put this one in my basement office, so that the little feller (Mr. Squeakers, to you) doesn't wake anyone up with his nighttime antics.

Here we come to our lesson, for I have a habit of heading into the basement each morning to pray. At least, that's the plan.

But Mr. Squeakers has worked out my schedule. When I come in and flip on the light, it's not more than a minute or two before he strikes the following pose:

Why? Because he know's I will pick him up. And why does he know that? Because I always do. Why do I pick him up? Because he's adorable. And because he's waiting for me. I can't just leave him there.

Now the fact is, he's typically a little anxious when I pick him up. I'm big. He's small. Even though it happens every day, letting me pick him up always seems like a struggle of the will for him. He's afraid. But he seems at the same time to know it's OK.

But I don't think it's entirely the "getting picked up" part that he's excited to have as part of his daily routine. No, I think the bigger selling point of this activity is as shown below:

He knows that after I put him back down, I'm going to give him some food. Every time. And while he's a bit anxious when I pick him up, he's totally relaxed when he places his head in my hand and retrieves the grain offering.

I find all hamsters quite irresistible, and Mr. Squeakers is no exception. It's unfortunate that he's (understandably) rather intimidated by me, and I wish he loved me as much as he loves the food I give him. But that's asking a bit much of a hamster, so I give him attention and food in the morning and appreciate him in ways he cannot begin to know anything about.

It's obvious where I'm going with all of this. I am faced every morning with a striking juxtaposition: Mr. Squeakers meets me in the morning right when I meet with God. In fact, I put off my meeting with God in order to attend to him. The parallels are many and obvious. I don't have to lay them all out. But I am reminded of Jesus' words about sparrows and worry.

Suffice it to say, I am worth many hamsters.

And I am reminded also of this:

Luke 11:11-13 (with modifications)
“Which of you hamster owners, if your hamster wants grain, will put a snake in his cage instead? Or if he wants some celery, will give him a cat? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your hamster, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

That's an encouraging reminder for a guy heading into prayer time.

Thanks, Mr. Squeakers, for the object lesson. Now off you go to bed.