(Mark 13:11) He replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.”

Every weekend, I choose to bring home a puppy from the animal shelter. Puppies are so cute! I spend a couple of days playing with it but I’m not ready to take care of a dog full time.

I’m not financially able to properly support a puppy. I’m also quite busy with other responsibilities. The puppy is a burden that I can’t endure at this stage of my life.

So, to be merciful, every Monday morning I build a fire and throw the puppy into it.

It wouldn’t be fair to keep an unwanted dog alive. The poor thing would be unloved, neglected, and ultimately abused. It is an act of kindness when I release it from its hellish existence.

Don’t misunderstand! Destroying that puppy is the hardest decision I make every week. I need support and love from you. Not criticism! And I know that Jesus loves me, no matter how many baby dogs I kill. (Mark 13:14) In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “ ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’