I was talking to some students about our cat, Lilah. I said Lilah was defective. One of my students challenged me. She believes every animal is a special gift from God. I replied, “That may be true, but Lilah is defective.” She said I should use a word that sounded better.
After our conversation, I looked up the word defective. Defective means imperfect or faulty; malfunctioning or not working correctly.
I used the right word. Defective describes Lilah.
When our son, Will, picked Lilah out at the Humane Society, the workers were thrilled. They didn’t think she would be able to find a home. That should have been a warning. Lilah had been adopted already, but returned. Based on her behavior, it is likely she was abused. She has been sick off and on since we brought her home. She chews paper and books. She makes messes of all kinds at all times. It can be embarrassing when we have guests. She can be a pain and she is demanding.
I’ve paid for vet visits, special food, and even library books. Because of her defects I have spent more time and money than I ever wanted to on a pet.
But the truth is that I am a “defective cat” too. I wish I could use a word that sounds better, but defective is the right one. I am imperfect and faulty. I malfunction and often don’t work as well as I was designed to work.
The amazing thing is that I still love Lilah. Even more amazingly, God still loves me.
Are you a “defective cat” too? Then take the Message paraphrase of Romans 3:23-24 to heart.
Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.
Defective cats, because of Jesus you are also rescued cats. You are loved.
After our conversation, I looked up the word defective. Defective means imperfect or faulty; malfunctioning or not working correctly.
I used the right word. Defective describes Lilah.
When our son, Will, picked Lilah out at the Humane Society, the workers were thrilled. They didn’t think she would be able to find a home. That should have been a warning. Lilah had been adopted already, but returned. Based on her behavior, it is likely she was abused. She has been sick off and on since we brought her home. She chews paper and books. She makes messes of all kinds at all times. It can be embarrassing when we have guests. She can be a pain and she is demanding.
I’ve paid for vet visits, special food, and even library books. Because of her defects I have spent more time and money than I ever wanted to on a pet.
But the truth is that I am a “defective cat” too. I wish I could use a word that sounds better, but defective is the right one. I am imperfect and faulty. I malfunction and often don’t work as well as I was designed to work.
The amazing thing is that I still love Lilah. Even more amazingly, God still loves me.
Are you a “defective cat” too? Then take the Message paraphrase of Romans 3:23-24 to heart.
Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.
Defective cats, because of Jesus you are also rescued cats. You are loved.
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