So a couple of years ago I adopted this dog named Sam. I resolved to me a good doggie mama and walk him often. There have been many joys and many many frustrations of teaching an energetic lab mix how to walk on a leash near the woods. I quickly got over the embarrassment of scolding him for chasing squirrels, when I realized it wasn't as bad as having my wrist pulled out of socket. I marveled at his sense of smell when he would react to a deer nearby before I could spot it, and wondered why he's afraid of turtles and not snakes. Over the past two years, I've also had a few thoughts reverberate in my spirit (can thoughts reverberate in your spirit? It just sounded like the right word) that echo God's perspective as I learn to walk with him. Here they are.
1.
Stay close, it’s for your own good.
2.
You’re on a leash for your own protection and
well-being. When I can trust that you’ll
exercise self-control and always stay close to me, you can run free.
3.
When you pull away, you only choke yourself out. Sorry about that, I know it's uncomfortable, but if I didn't hold on to you, you'd get lost, hurt or even fatally injured.
4.
Don’t follow your sniffer anytime something new
catches your attention, follow me.
5.
Nothing belongs to you, I just love you enough
to let you enjoy it.
6.
When I speed up, speed up with me, when I slow
down, slow down with me, when I say rest, rest.
Don’t fight the pace, it just makes things difficult.
7.
I greet new people (and animals) first, to make
sure they’re safe and clean. If I give
you permission, you may get acquainted as well.
If I say walk on, walk on.
8.
I talk to you all of the time, it would serve
you well to know my voice, my tone, my language, and to listen.
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