Worth Saving

My daughter was responsible for watering plants for one of my friends while the family was on vacation. Halfway through the week, Caitlin came home talking about a sick kitten near the barn. She was thin and weak, and her eyes were swollen. I looked Caitlin in the eyes and said, "No. You can't bring her home."

I grew up on a farm, and I cared for many animals, both pets and animals who weren't supposed to be pets but became my best buds. I don't have a steel heart, but...I tried to explain how some animals just don't make it and that we can't go to extremes to take care of every single animal and...my daughter wasn't buying it.

When have you felt a sacrifice was too much? You couldn't listen to that person's woes one more minute. You didn't have time to get help for the person stranded by the road. You didn't have enough to share.

The next morning I was getting ready to leave the house for a meeting, and Caitlin came home from watering. With the kitten. As she started to explain, I looked into her eyes and caught a glimpse of her heart. The kitten was worth saving.

If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. - Matthew 10:38-39 (NLT).

After a trip to the vet's office and frequent trips to give her medicine, the kitten began to recuperate. She was still weak when our friends returned, but when Caitlin delivered the medicine to them, the kitten was receiving extra doses of pampering.

Some would argue that animals are different than people, and we don't have the same obligation to care and provide for them. That's perhaps another blog post. What struck me the most was my assumption of worthiness. What about you?

What is too much for you? Who is unreachable or unworthy of your efforts?

I am unworthy of Jesus...and yet he died on the cross for me. I'm thankful he doesn't extend the same judgment I often do. I hope he continues to change my perspective.

Are you allowing him to change you?

Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. - Philippians 1:27 (NLT)

Drink Driven

I repeatedly travel the same roads. The road to a nearby town, where I do just about everything except sleep. The road to the airport. The road to my favorite shopping area. And I have my favorite drink stops along the way.

Not Starbucks, which I generally reserve for airport days. I'm not a coffee drinker, but love strawberries and cream Fraps! No, I'm driven by fountain drinks...but I have requirements.

• Must be Diet Coke.


• Must have flavored syrup. Cherry is the best. Cherry and lime are the best combination. I can deal with vanilla.


• Must be in a styrofoam cup. I know, not environmentally-friendly, which isn't consistent for me, but I don't like the way other cups "sweat" in the Summer.


• Must be inexpensive. Okay, so I'll give a little on this one and pay extra for the flavoring if I have to.

I seriously have a problem. As an advocate for multi-tasking, I maximize my trips, planning the most efficient routes in my mind. But I almost always consider one of my favorite drink stops as a non-negotiable stop.

It used to drive my husband crazy that I was drink-driven. He thought stopping was a waste of time and money. Thankfully over the years, some of my annoying habits, including this one, have become endearing to him. He even encourages my habit and often surprises me with my favorites. (He prefers Pepsi products and vanilla flavoring.)

But I wonder...Am I drink-driven for Jesus?

Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” - John 4:13-15 (NLT)

What about you? Will you go out of your way for Jesus? Do you plan your schedule with him in mind? Is spending time with him non-negotiable?

Perhaps being drink-driven is such a bad thing after all.