Valuable

What do see around you that you feel is valuable?  Sit and think about that for a moment and make a mental list in your mind.  The most common responses would be family, friends, and our health.  One of my more specific responses would be the senior members of our communities.  My husband and I used to own a golden retriever named Brandy.  I had read an ad someone posted in our local newspaper one day, looking for a good home for a homeless puppy.  I suggested we go and “just take a look” and my husband just raised his eyebrows knowingly.  “You know we’re going to bring her home, right?” was his response.  And, of course, we brought this bundle of fur home with us, cuddled up on my lap the whole way home.  Brandy was a valuable part of our two-person family and was with us for almost 15 years.  Her tail, I must say, never stopped wagging till the end.  When she was older, and had a little less puppy energy, I signed up to take her to a local nursing home which participated in a wonderful program called Pets on Wheels.  Every week, Brandy and I would visit with the elderly guests.  It was obvious many of them were lonely and craving for a chance to just talk with someone.  Their eyes, still full of stories and wisdom, would light up as Brandy came down the corridors.  I remember one woman in a wheelchair, holding onto a raggedy stuffed animal, cry out “Bring me the dog.”  Just the physical contact with Brandy was all she needed to make her smile and most likely recalled a fond memory for her. Witnessing this woman’s momentary joy made me realize how valuable the time was that Brandy and I spent visiting with these seniors. How well do you and I outwardly value life, both at the very conception, and until God decides it is time?  I know it’s a controversial subject, but the fact is that we are all made in the likeness of God.  We are miracles made in His image, and each and every life is valuable.  I miss those days of Brandy’s tail happily wagging as she enjoyed the attention of all our wise seniors.  And maybe, just for a moment, they felt valuable too!

“Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.”  Psalm 71:9