Straying

We discovered why Honeybun, our once svelte elite athlete agility dog, was getting fat. She always sits politely nearby while Lucky finishes his food, and then she licks the empty bowl when he walks away. Unbeknownst to us however, Lucky had gone on a hunger strike. He does that on occasion. He doesn't seem to be sick nor is anything wrong with his food. He just gets tired of dry dog food and holds out in hopes of filet mignon. Well, it turns out that Honeybun was then cruising in and eating his food right after her own meal. He gets double what she gets, being a much bigger dog. So Honeybun was eating three times her normal allotment. To prevent this, we have to stand in the kitchen watching slow poke Lucky finish every bite. It is aggravating but we have no choice. Honeybun was beginning to waddle. No wonder she was knocking down jumps at the last agility trial!

She is not alone. I think many of us often don't think much about what is best for us. We just think about instant gratification, what will taste good, feel good, hold back the pain for an hour. So junk goes in our stomachs, our minds, and our hearts. We procrastinate to avoid the work that we have to do because it is hard...and in the end, like Honeybun, we start knocking over all the jumps we once were able to clear. I believe there is a devil, a real and horrifying adversary that longs to rip us away from God. However, I also believe we give him ammunition. "The Devil made me do it" is just an excuse...he just capitalizes on our complacency.

I was thinking about all this when I got a note from someone about how hard he was trying to rebuild his life. I thought about how sometimes we struggle and try all by ourselves, when God longs to step in and remove the burden. But we shut Him out and think if we just try harder, it will be ok. And then, on the opposing side are those who try too little, who know the right thing to do, and don't do it. Then when the world crashes around them, they blame God.

"Honeybun," I growl in a warning tone, "That is not your food...."
She looks at me, then back at the tempting orgy before her, and tiptoes away.
Whew. For now, she has made the right choice.

Psalm 119:173-176
May your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts. I long for your salvation, Lord,
and your law gives me delight. Let me live that I may praise you,
and may your laws sustain me. I have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commands.



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