Christian Living

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Responsibility
© 2008

by

Stephen A. Peterson


Gail is the daughter of Joan and Kevin who are friends of Stephanie and Albert. To Stephanie and Albert, Gail was like a member of their family. To Stephanie and Albert, Gail was like a member of their family. Gail played with their daughter, visited their house often and at times even stayed over night. Gail was a good child to Stephanie and Albert except, they felt she was lacking in being responsible for anything. Everything came easy to Gail. She was very intelligent, she was physically beautiful and she was very charming. She just did not work hard at anything she started. Gail could care less about homework, yet she still achieved “A” grades even in the most difficult subjects. Before she was selected a high school cheerleader, she performed every cheer and routines flawlessly. Finally, when she was old enough to drive and obtain her driver’s license, Gail bent every fender of every car she drove. Joan and Kevin tried desperately to awaken a sense of purpose and meaning in the life of Gail. They had long, drawn out talks with their daughter, laid down tough rules, they had her doing meaningful chores and activities around the house—washing family clothes, mowing the lawn, cleaning out the garage. The talks were outstanding and inspiring, but the clothes began to pile up, the grass grew higher and higher and the garage an absolute mess.

Then in March, 2006, Gail read a newspaper story abut a Persian cat that had been abandoned in an apartment by it owner. The cat had been rescued from neglect and starvation by the landlord and turned over to the local animal shelter. Based upon the story, Gail learned that the cat’s future was uncertain. It was an old cat and needed more care than was normal. For nearly three weeks, no one offered to take the feline in. On impulse, Gail asked her parents if she could adopt the cat.

“Please, mom, dad! Can I adopt the cat, please! I’ll be responsible for it,” she said. “I promise!”

Joan and Kevin looked at each other, torn between hope and uncertainty. After more than an hour of debate, they finally agreed. “But Gail you really must take care of this cat.” Joan said. “Your father and I will not be able to do your job. We have to work.”

Now nearly a year and a half later, the cat is still in their house. Gail got a job and spends her own earnings for the cat’s bed, food and liter tray and its materials. Everyday she changes the liter box, feeds and provides water to the cat.

But something else was happening. Gail was doing her homework and actually learning in school rather than going through the motions. She even found time to straighten up her room, clean the garage, and help her parents and siblings around the house. In roughly a year, Gail has indicated her desire to go to college to become a medical doctor specializing in cardiovascular surgery. And everyone who knows something about Gail is betting she will attain her dream when she puts her mind to do it.

Perhaps, it is often said, the best way for any of us to become a responsible person is to look around us, see the hand of God in some thing or the imagine of God in someone who needs us.

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