This morning as I went in to wake our son Dillon for school, I noticed his lizard looked a little peaked. He is usually looking at me wondering where breakfast is and jumping around the tank. This morning he wasn’t, in fact his eyes were closed, his breathing was shallow and he was cold to the touch. As I reached in to the tank to poke him, feeling a bit courageous, he just sat there. “Uh oh” I thought. I raced into action. “Water?”, check…”crickets?”, no, no crickets. How long has he been out of crickets!!?? After a call to the local bait shop to inquire about mealworms, I was speeding – oops I mean, driving into town to purchase them. I got the goods and headed home with one thing on my mind, Spike.Now for those of you who know our family, you know that Dillon, our 10 year old has a passion for reptiles. Now I can hear you saying “all 10 year old boys like reptiles”, this is a true statement. However, Dillon goes a step further by saving his money and purchasing different species. He takes wonderful care of them and enjoys them very much. I just ask that they stay in their cages. Spike was Dillon’s first reptile purchase. He had saved his money for a year to be able to buy a baby Bearded Dragon. Not an attractive looking lizard (okay there really are NO attractive looking lizards) but he had something I could relate to. Spike’s skin is made up with what appears to be small spikes that are meant to ward off attacks and look imposing. The thing about it is that if you touch these spikes you will find they are quite soft and not imposing at all. I could relate to this defensive exterior as I shared that characteristic for many years until Jesus got hold of my life. This lizard had a fun personality and won me over quickly. So when I saw this creature in a state of “no return” I panicked.
As I reached in and pulled Spike out of the cage he didn’t move. I was afraid I was too late. But I noticed a small movement in his legs and saw that there was still hope. I put water to his little mouth wishing him to drink, but to no avail. I then took a meal worm and held it to his lips to see if he would eat, but to no avail. I was not about to give up on Spike. If I could have willed him to live, I would have given it everything I had. I chopped up the meal worm opened his mouth and stuffed it in. He spit it out, I stuffed it in. I was desperate. I couldn’t just let him slip away. As I sat holding the crushed meal worm in the tweezers, I had a moment of clarity. Though brief I saw this picture: here I was sitting on floor and talking to a dying lizard in my hand while attempting to coax the lizard to eat a crushed meal worm and praying God would save him. Oh heavenly days Lonna – get a grip!! Even though I saw how ridiculous it was I could not stop, I could not give up on this prickly little guy.
I realized that this is how I have felt about loved ones not knowing Jesus. My dad is not a believer and I have spent years sharing the Good News with him. I pray for him every day and ask God constantly to move his heart towards Him. But, today still no change. I sometimes want to scream, “Wake up! You’re going to hell if you don’t turn to Jesus Dad!” My desperation has led me to some pretty intense conversations with God. That is how I felt with Spike today. Willing him to live, wanting him to choose life, and praying for him. It is a huge burden and I know many of you share this experience with loved ones. Our only response is to keep going, keep praying, keep talking, and never to give up. We’re talking eternal consequences here, not a fleeting decision.
I just stopped to look in on Spike. He was awake and looking at me. I actually dropped a meal worm in his tank and he gobbled it up and then a second one. With tears I write to you, to encourage you. Don’t ever stop sharing the Good News with those you love, you never know what the outcome could be. Just when you think someone is “dead”, they may take in what you’re saying and find new life. Spike did….
2 comments:
As I read your story of Spike it reminded me of a similar story. When our youngest son, David, was about 4 years old he was fishing off the dock at the family summer camp. He actually caught his first fish and was very, very proud. It hadn't occurred to him, at that young age, that the hook he was fishing with would hook the fish, and potentially he could lose the life in the lake that he had become accustomed to. Once the fish was caught, David of course wanted to release it back into the lake. He and I tried desperately to remove the hook, it wasn't a pleasant sight! Once the hook was removed the fish was placed gently back into the lake; only he didn't swim but floated belly side up. I began to desperately pray for this fish to come back to life and swim....David prayed and nothing seemed to happen. After several long minutes I tried to encourage David, and told him the fish had died and gone to heaven. But David remained on the dock and continued to pray....several minutes later, with much excitement on our part, the little fish rolled over and swam away. Oh the faith of a child! David still has that sparkle in his eye when the story is retold. It's those simple lessons we teach our children that have huge results as they grow into adulthood.
Beautiful story. You are so right that we simply can't give up on our friends when it comes to sharing Jesus. Even if that sharing is only an, "I'm praying for you" or unconditional love, it is important that we never write anyone off. Thanks, Lonna!
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