The Difference a Day Makes

Ajax after his first bath around 2pm yesterday.  You can see his right eye is oozing with puss.  His left eye is completely swollen shut.  Even removing the crusted puss didn't help.  He's super boney and very lethargic.

Here's Ajax this morning (after 4 rounds of drops and 3 rounds of oral antibiotics).   He's much more alert, his eyes are able to focus, and though he's still super skinny, he's gonna get fat soon enough with all the yumminess at his disposal.

With all the rescues I've nursed back to health, it never ceases to amaze me how much progress can be made in so short a time (with such minimal effort!!!).  It's a wonderful reminder that God doesn't ask us for huge, amazing feats of faith.  He asks us for little things, because it's the little things that count. 

The guy who contacted John about the kitten made the decision to care about a stray kitten.  He didn't have to.  He could've easily let nature take it's course.  Instead, he called for help.

John, who really doesn't want to deal with any more fosters, made the decision to call me.  He had pushed off the guy for a few days, but in the end, he made the right decision by calling me and allowing me to check the kitten out myself.  Had he gone with Plan A (dropping it off at the shelter), this kitten would have been euthanized.

Then me... when I first saw Ajax, I was honestly horrified by his condition.  His eye had actually bubbled over, and I thought for sure he had been born with a genetic defect which claimed it.  He was infested with fleas, and I worried about bringing them home.  However, the least I could do was give this kitten a proper cleaning. 

Then the vet tech who gave me a pass at the clinic because of my past experience there.  She didn't have to "break the rules" but she did.  She understood a serious need was present, and she silently added my name to the top of the list.

Also the vet, herself.  She went out of her way to ensure Ajax had fluids and food to spare.  She didn't have to pack on the extras, but again... she made the decision to pay attention to the little things.

And all these little things... they add up to something incredible.  Each "little action" is what helped Ajax along the road of Divine Providence.  Each of us played a part in the miracle of Ajax's recovery.  And though his story is not complete, at least it's taken a dramatic turn in the right direction. 

So thanks to all of you, too, who have made the "small" decision to share Ajax's pictures and stories with others.  I've gotten so many e-mails about him.  Please keep sharing.  Eventually, one of you who makes the "small" decision to share his story will share it with the family who needs him to complete their portrait.

In the end, it's all about the small things.  No masterpiece was ever created with one brushstroke, no quilt with one thread, and no feat of architecture in one day.  The same is true of our lives and of our faith. 

Blessings, and again - thank you so much for spreading the word about Ajax.  My appreciation is immeasurable.