What Goes in, Must Come Out

Poor Lucky. The X-rays showed an obstruction near the end of his large intestine, probably the rib bone that we thought was going to be a special treat. I know bones can splinter or get lodged, but I just always figured dogs have eaten bones for thousands of years. I didn't take the concern seriously. However, our dogs, should he survive this, will never eat another bone.

After the X-rays and a barrage of other tests (read: bankruptcy), they determined all else was fine and gave him a doggy enema. It didn't work...until Arvo was checking out. Then all ***&&&5%%%$$$$@@#@!!*** came loose and I will let it suffice to say that the vet aides earned their salary cleaning up after him. However, the vet feels that parts of the bone still need to come out. She seemed to feel confident that it would. She sent Arvo home with meds, special food, and instructions.

Since it was Asherel's birthday, and we didn't want her special day totally marred by the sad situation with Lucky and his most unlucky bowel, I took Asherel horseback riding. It was a perfect day, and we meandered through a shady forest by my favorite kayaking lake. They put Asherel on a big old horse, a clydesdale type, who tried to eat a branch that then smacked Asherel in the face. I was on a sweet horse, Maggie, who is very good when you are on her back, but likes to bite you when you are on the ground. She was pleasant to ride however. (Having not ridden in about three years, every muscle in my inner thighs are protesting right now.) Still, it was so worth it. Asherel, who loves horses, came to pet my horse, and Maggie instantly put back her ears and made nipping motions.
"Don't come near!" I warned poor Asherel, "She bites."
One thing Maggie has going for her is that she doesn't hide what's inside of her. She lets all her cantankerous stuffing right out there. This is a good policy, as Lucky would attest.

My experience has been that if you try to hold ugly stuff in, it finds a way to come out. Pain and hurt can only be contained for so long. They eventually find expression, often as explosive anger. And when things that should come out, *don't*, like Lucky's gut blocking bone, bad things happen. A friend recently asked me, "So what do you do with all that awful hurt inside?"

The vet gave Lucky an enema. He probably needs more, in my opinion. We need "spiritual enemas" too. Something that drains all the awful feelings, thoughts, hurts, pains, and poisons of existence out of us. I think we do have such a thing, though it is not labeled as such. When we accept the gift of Jesus' atoning death for our sins, all that ugly inner filth is ripped away. We are instantaneously forgiven, washed clean, and ready to embark on new life. Unfortunately, life continues to beat down on most of us, and so God gives us ongoing treatments- prayer, His word, His presence, His comfort. If we keep eating the bones of the world, all the immoral garbage that is luring us from God, they are going to keep getting stuck, and need powerful work to extricate. I am finding the more I walk this earth, the more I understand, it is best not to eat bones in the first place.

Psalm 51: 8-12
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (Psalm 51:8-12 NIV)





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