Jay had been out in the garage working as I was just getting dressed after taking a shower. I could tell by the expression on his face as he looked around the corner that he was anxious about something. Then the words rushed from his mouth. “Have you seen Carl?”
“No. As you can see, I have been preoccupied.”
Jay quickly turned back towards the door and was gone. As I got dressed and ran out the door, I thought about this little dog and how much I would miss him if something actually happened to him.
After a couple of minutes, Jay came around the corner of the garage with Carl tucked under his arm. “Where was he?” I asked.
“He was in the middle of the road. Sharon from next door was pulling into her driveway and almost hit Carl. She stopped and picked him up. Her feet were drenched when she handed him to me.”
“That was the second time she has rescued Carl.” I stated remembering the time she brought him back when the back gate had been left open.
Jay then suggested, “I think we need to get her a gift card to show her how much we appreciate what she has done.”
I couldn’t help but think about how much this little dog has cost us. $2000 to purchase, $1800 to have his tail removed, at least $1000 for overall medical expenses and the list keeps growing. Some people would question why we would be willing to spend so much for a little dog. The answer is simple. We value Carl. Even when he wakes us up early in the morning by his ear piercing howl or does his business in places that he shouldn’t. No matter what he does, we still care deeply for this little pooch.
In our current society, many people place value on outward appearances. Fancy cars, modern houses, and large bank accounts. They value only people that meet up to their personal standards and can offer them something in return.
Then there is Jesus. He placed value on the total opposite. He had no money, no house, and no circle of friends that were in the upper echelon. Instead, he hung around fishermen, tax collectors and prostitutes. Why would the Son of God choose the lowly and needy to hang out with? What did he see in these people that made them so valuable to him? They sure couldn’t repay him for being healed or forgiven of their wrong doings? So why did he spend his entire ministry surrounded by the most obvious sinners?
Because he values all people, no matter their social status or size of their wallet. He sees us from a spiritual point of view, not a worldly one. So when the prostitute was getting ready to be stoned, Jesus wasn’t judging her, he was loving her.
Matthew 5:7 Jesus states, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Which brings me back to my little dog Carl. I believe God has given me Carl so I can practice being merciful. There are many times I want to throw up my hands in frustration due to his antics. But instead of being angry, I will remember the mercy that has been given to me over and over again.
Thank you for todayâs message of how Jesus truly cares for all that has been created by His Father!! 🙂