JESUS AND THE LEOPARDS

I grew up in a Christian house hold and I am very thankful for that. It was not shoved down my or my brother and sister's throats. It was a way of life, everyday a understanding that God is present and that God is love. The world is imperfect and therefore we are but God forgives and we follow cause God knows the way. God is perfect. That following and understanding part was not always easy, but was confronting to know that God was on your side no matter who you were or what you were doing. It was as typical as changing your socks. To this day, I am a Christian, a work in progress. And the three of us also went to Catholic school which had its ups and downs but mainly good memories. I liked religion class, same reason as I enjoyed history and English, because I enjoyed the stories. I love stories, especially if they are beyond my imagination. I have a really good imagination and could go on for hours on my favorite types of stories which tend to be science fiction and fantasy. History was cool because it really happened but was based on everyday types things with a little extra something in those moments. English was good because we read fiction which may have been based in reality was loosely. Religion was a different animal, because see the Bible speaks of historically sound places and events while also paving the way with intellectual principles. I.E., faith alone saves us and to embrace all people as Christ does, with understanding and love. There is a Israel and there is evidence of Jesus Christ, so I liked Religion a lot knowing that it was full of fantastical moments but was real.Think about it, everyday life is full of moments that can not be logically explained but happened none the less. People survive terrible accidents without logical reason, are cured of disease without logical reason, and being capable of performing super human feats like lifting a car off of others in times of crisis. Miracles that occur many times without being noticed. Everything is a pattern, everything is a plan, and everyone has a choice. Don't agree, that is okay. I enjoyed the new testament better then the old testament because New chronicled Christ, who I saw as a kind of a real life super hero. He came to bring peace, right the wrongs, and save everyone through self sacrifice, and never asked for anything but faith. More powerful then Superman, not angry like Batman but vigilant and more motivated by selfless acts then Spider-man. By the way, Spider-man, Batman and Superman, are awesome. Anyway, back to Catholic school, namely First Grade! I have fond memories of my teacher telling us of the miracles that Christ performed during his ministry. Remarkable to hear of how Christ walked on water, turned water into wine, raised the dead, rose from the dead himself and how he cured the leopards. Yes, you heard that last part correctly. Jesus Christ cured the leopards, or at least that is what six year old me thought he heard. I was very impressed by how Christ cured the leopards of their spots ridding them of their affliction. I had no idea that he was a cat person? Made sense, I guess, since he made them, he probably had a fondness for cats but since Christ is God and God made all things, it must of been pretty difficult to have a favorite.

I was so excited about this idea of Christ being able to remove spots for leopards that I went home and told my mom. Mom was a little confused after I told her " Jesus is a really good guy, Mom. He cured the leopards!" "What?, she replied and which time I explained. Mom, by the way, Moms know everything in case you did not know this. She replied, "Kurt, Jesus cured the lepers. Not the leopards. Both had spots but quite different reasons." As it turned out lepers had a plague which caused disfigurement unlike the decorative spots of leopards. Fashion vs. Disease. I was a bit disappointed that Jesus did not cure the leopards because I thought perhaps the leopards may not like having spots. Mom said that God gave them spots for a reason and that God knows best. I asked Mom a few times, just to be sure, that we were now on the same page. I was hoping the curing of the leopards ship had not sailed, but it did.Oh, well. I then asked why did lepers have spots and Mom said that was a mystery but God still knew best because he cured them as a sign that God frees us of our infections which may be mental, spiritual, emotional and physical. All we need to do is seek Him in all things. Goes back to that whole idea of purpose and direction to follow to find the tools and answers we need. Mom could be really deep. So one bunch liked having spots and the other wanted them gone. One bunch walk all four and are technically naked and the other bunch are human most likely waling on two legs. Got it! Mom made the mistake of mentioning watching clean. That Jesus washed away disease. Making one new. You are seeing where this is going, right? Yep, I thought of bath time. Again should this not work for a leopard? Surely those spots would wash off unless that was not by a sharpie. I have experience in that matter. Took a while to fade after many scrubbing in the tub. Still did go away but time was slow. Why can't leopards just change their coats? Must have a zipper and closet. Variety is the spice of life.

I realized that it was good that Christ cured the lepers but it did not stop me from thinking how cool it would of been if a leopard, now spotless, came back and said, "Thank you, Jesus! I appreciate that." Not a bad thing to remember.Mind you, I pretty much envisioned leopards that walk on two legs and have thumbs. I mean how else is one going to shake hands with God? Come on.

Recently I told a friend of mine this story. His reply was, "Hey, Jesus was the first animal rightest. Got to love it." Ha!