When I am on the road for work, I often have to back my car up to delivery docks that are invariably located next to the most heinous smelling dumpsters. I recently had the misfortune of parking next to one that produced a smell I am convinced could burn nose hairs! Additionally, this dumpster was leaking horrendously foul water teeming with wiggling maggots and frantic fruit flies. Disgusting would have been an understatement. Surprisingly, out of this scene, I caught a glimpse of something beautiful.
From behind the dumpster I heard the faint meowing of a cat. Soon a young, silver and white speckled cutie emerged, filthy, and hungry. Saddened, I knew that all I had in my car was a box of crackers and a chocolate granola bar. For some reason I remember hearing that it was not good for animals to have chocolate, so I opted for breaking the crackers into small pieces and put them on the ground for him. When I came back outside, I noticed he had eaten all of my crackers and was now washing them down with the nasty maggot water. I felt terrible, so I went back into the store and bought him his very own jug of cold milk!
I put the milk in a bowl from my car and tried to give it to him, but he ran back to the dumpster water. I thought that since we already became friends through crackers that he would definitely want my milk. Strangely, I would put the bowl down and whistle him near, only to have him inch close and then run back to that sickening dumpster water. This went on for some time. Finally, I put the bowl down and walked away far enough to make him comfortable, but close enough to be in his sight so I could see what he would choose. From a distance, I saw him stick his little head into the bowl and take a taste of the fresh milk. He was caught off guard at first and taken aback by its cold goodness. Quickly, he was face planted and indulging in what was probably his best meal in days. This time he did not go back to the maggot water!
This incident taught me a valuable lesson. For a long time I was like that cat; I knew that there is something better in this life, a healthier way to live. However, I was often more comfortable swimming around in my own form of maggot water- hurtful habits, bad relationships, terrible attitudes, and an overall lifestyle of dissatisfaction, rather than truly trusting and believing in my heart that there is something better.
Then I started thinking about how I offered this cat a free gift, something healthy and beneficial, yet he didn’t want it. When faced with the risk of coming to me and chance drinking what I put in the bowl, he would get frightened and run away. He did not trust that what I offered was good for him. When he finally surrendered and gulped down the milk, he learned that nourishment I offered far exceeded the putrid alternative the dumpster provided. I never forced him to drink that milk. He chose to and he had all he needed.
This is how God offers us the ultimate gift through His Son Jesus. We know God is there and we know how to reach Him, yet when it means that we have to make a choice or change a lifestyle to fully experience what He offers, we retreat back to the maggot water or old hurtful behaviors and remain miserably comfortable.
That cat did not wish the milk into existence. He had to believe that it was there in the bowl, have faith to try it, and then trust that it was good for him.
This Christmas my heart is heavy. I know the pain that the Holidays often bring. I once cringed at the thought of Christmastime because it reminded me of how empty, lonely, and sad my life had become. No gift that I could have unwrapped during that time would have made my heart feel any better.
With the economy struggling and with the daily news not making things any brighter, my guess is that this Christmas may be a tough one for most both emotionally and financially. Yet, the gift that most people really want cannot be bought with money. Wouldn’t we all like to have real Peace, Joy, and LOVE this Christmas? When I finally received God’s gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ, my feelings and attitudes started to change.
The Baby in the manger is not just some cute Christmastime story character. He is a real documented historical figure: One that performed miracles, One that crowds saw crucified, and One that eye-witnesses saw resurrected from the dead and historically documented. Truth is, He did all of this to offer us a free gift.
Like the free gift I offered the cat which would make him healthy, happy, and satisfied, he could not receive it until he believed and trusted- God offered us His Son Jesus, if we would just believe and truly trust in Him. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand,” (John 10:27-28). I did not force the cat to accept my gift. He had to choose to trust me. Jesus will not force us to trust Him; He gives us the choice because love cannot be forced. Just believe and unwrap His splendor this Christmas!
His gift will never disappoint.
Yummy Chocolate Bark Recipe. Makes a Great Gift!
Ingredients:
25 Oreo cookies
3 cups white chocolate chips or semisweet chocolate chips (can do half of both)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (use with semisweet chips only)
To Make:
Line a 9-inch-square baking pan with waxed paper. Coat the paper with nonstick spray; set it aside. Pour the cookies into a large bowl and break them into small pieces. Melt the chips in a large microwave-safe bowl according to the package directions. After chips have melted add extract. Remove from the microwave and quickly fold in the cookie pieces with a spatula. Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan and spread to about a 1/2-inch thickness. Refrigerate until solid, about 1 hour.
Remove the bark from the pan and carefully peel off the waxed paper. Set the bark on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut the bark into 12 bars for wrapping or 24 triangles for boxing. Store in an airtight container.
Thanks for sharing, Friend.
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