When we drove in, Sunday night, from our long drive home from Iowa, we saw our barn cat (and rodent-killer extraordinaire), Miloh’s, eyes glowing in the headlights. He was up by the house, in the flower bed, and seemed intent on what he was doing.

We pulled into the garage, grabbed a few things out of the car, and then glanced over to see what he had. It was this:

Imagine our joy and happiness!

Never have I been so thankful for Miloh and his skills. He is relentless, constantly scouring not just the barn, but the entire property for the ickiest members of the animal kingdom. He has killed a representative of everything I NEVER WANT in my house.

He is a lethal rock star.

And you know what else? We hardly do anything for him. He has a place to sleep in the storeroom of the barn, some water at the ready, and gets the tiniest bit of food to keep him coming back, but beyond that, he’s on his own. He keeps us rodent-free because he wants to…lives to.

After what will henceforth and forever more be known as the Mega-rat Incident of 2014, I found myself wishing I had Milohs in other areas of my life. For instance, I’d like a Miloh who lived to keep my house free of dirt and dust, for the price of a handful of kitty kibble. Or maybe a Miloh whose mission it was to do all my grocery shopping, when I was busy doing other stuff, like living my life. Or what about a toilet Miloh, who would rather be known as the Ty-D-Bol Cat? The best, though, would be a Miloh intent on keeping my heart clean. I would just live my life without a care, and he would be on 24/7 guard against a build-up of filth and unsavory intruders. I would never have to worry about what was going on there, because I’d just give him a place to sleep and know he was always on the job.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t really work that way. I’m stuck doing all the loathsome house stuff, unless I pay someone the big bucks to do it for me. And unless I hire someone to deliver my groceries (I miss you, Peapod!), I’ve got to do that, too. For reasons unknown, I’m also left with the responsibility of my own heart. The Lord may have left the Holy Spirit to reside there, but He didn’t give him the job of keeping it clean and safe. That’s mine, and mine alone.

Actually, maybe I do know why.

If we had a Miloh to clean our hearts up after us, we’d be much less worried about what we let in. We wouldn’t be paying attention to possible consequences because we’d be having too much fun to care. After all, our Miloh would be on guard. He’d take care of it, right?

The thing is, one day there will come a rat that is too big, even for a Miloh, and if we’re not looking, it will creep right in and set up it’s nasty nest right there in our hearts.

I think I’ll pay a little more attention to Miloh, and maybe even throw him a treat for a job well done. Or, maybe not. Staying hungry seems to drive him to keep his eyes peeled for intruders. And, while it’s a hard truth, staying hungry for righteousness seems to do the same for me.

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 NLT

“Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.” 2 Timothy 2:22 NLT

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23 ESV

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 ESV

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 ESV