Grant Williams chose an unusual pet. The 19-year-old from the Bronx bought a
python five months ago for $300. It turned out to be a bad decision.
Earlier this month, Williams was found dead of asphyxiation in the hallway
outside his apartment. A neighbour found him lying in a pool of blood, with the
13-foot-long snake wrapped around his neck. The dangerous creature Williams had
taken as his pet had turned on him, taking his life.
This remarkably sad story makes me think of things the rest of us do that are
incredibly similar. We take certain "pet vices" to ourselves - that's even the
name we give them! - and dare them to hurt us. Too often, that's exactly what
they do!
The harried executive just has a few drinks at night to relax. At least, that's
how it starts. Then there are a few more drinks, a little earlier in the day.
Then there is the chronic addition called alcoholism that begins choking the
life out of him.
The attractive woman who is neglected by her husband begins to dabble with
little "innocent" flirtations. Then one gets out of hand, explodes into a
full-blown affair, and becomes adultery that takes her marriage by the throat to
kill it.
The clerk or accountant is in a bind and uses a few dollars that don't belong to
him or her. The intent is to replace them in just a few days. What's the harm?
Nobody will ever know. But the "few" become a "few more" become an embezzlement.
Greed and the compromising of integrity wrap themselves tightly and start to
squeeze.
Williams decided to feed his pet a live chicken. Experts say the 44-pound python
must have gone wild over the scent, attacked its owner, and mistaken his master
for his meal. It's the same thing those pet vices do to their victims!
Satan - who came to the original pair in Eden as a serpent - shows no mercy. He
sells us on his lies. He gets us to take in his evils as our pets. Then he
creates the situation of frenzy and panic that leads to the owner's death.
Here's the challenge for all of us this week: It's time to be honest, face up to
any pet vices we've been tolerating, and get rid of them. They're too dangerous
to keep. They are designed and programmed to kill. Keep them around long enough,
and one will get you for sure.
Rubel Shelly The FAX of Life
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