“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 KJV

Good or Bad Gift?

Our son-in-law came over carrying a cardboard box. He wondered why we were home on our anniversary. We laughed and told him we would go out to lunch or dinner over the weekend.

He said, “Well, Happy Anniversary! I don’t know if this is a GOOD anniversary present or a BAD anniversary present.” He handed me the box and then told us about the contents.

He had just come from taking a truckload of stuff to the city dump. As he was paying, the office ladies at the dump asked him if he would like to have a kitten. He said, “Oh no, I am allergic to cats.” But they proceeded to tell him why they were asking. It seems the bulldozer operator was shoving boxes down the compactor, and a head popped out of one of the boxes. He shoved the bulldozer into reverse and ran up to save the box with the head in it! As he pulled out the box, he saw four little heads! Four kittens were peering up at him. He took the box inside to the ladies and told them what happened. At that point, my-son-in law said, “I am allergic, but I know someone…”

I grinned and opened the box to see an adorable calico kitten. It was a GOOD anniversary present although at times she has challenged us to think otherwise. She has a habit of pushing the envelope, just like I do with the Lord, which brings me to my thoughts today:

I was once like that helpless kitten in that box about to be shoved into the “compactor.” But God reached out His hand to save me! He plucked me out of that box and cleaned all the “fleas” off of me, and gave me a brand new life. He loved me, fleas and all, but He loved me too much to leave me in that condition.

Sometimes we are the innocent victim as the kittens in the box headed for a painful death. Other times we know better and choose to sin. Yes, the wages of sin is death, but God paid for our sins and gave us His priceless gift, Jesus Christ, Who gave His perfect, sinless life on the Cross.

Thank You, Father, for loving me enough to pluck me from the dangerous, painful way I was choosing. Thank You for Your wonderful, innumerable gifts. Thank You especially for the gift of salvation and eternal life with You. Life with You Lord…I know that nothing can happen to me today that together You and I can’t handle. What a good gift you are to me.