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Friday Tale - Dog
Lessons
It is amazing to me how God communicates certain lessons.
Apparently, I must not listen in a traditional way because He always seems
to use nature, my children, or my dogs to teach me things about myself.
As I was walking my dog, Chelsea, today, I noticed she was
worse than usual about pulling. She was practically choking herself. She
has a 25-foot leash that allows her 25 feet in just about any direction to
enjoy without feeling uncomfortable. However, Chelsea seemed to always want
to pull the leash as tightly as possible to get to the next
"spot" in the road. Keep in mind that we are walking that
direction and will be at that "spot" in just a matter of minutes.
Chelsea was so busy looking at the next place, the next
moment that she failed to enjoy the place where she was. With 25 feet in
any direction, she could only concentrate on the one foot that she could
not reach in front of her. All the while we were moving forward, she wanted
to be someplace different, further ahead. Her eyes were always one step
further than where we were.
When I thought about how ridiculous she was, I realized how
ridiculous I am as well. God has been trying to teach me to enjoy the
moment while continuing to move forward. Why do I practically choke myself
to get to the next place that I fail to enjoy the beauty of the place where
I am. As long as I am moving forward, why can't I enjoy the trip?
I made a decision to enjoy things I usually would take for
granted. That day, I found myself enjoying even the small things in my life
more. I did not just take a shower that day thinking about what I needed to
do during my day. I enjoyed my shower, thought about the warm water and how
grateful I was that in our country I could take a shower anytime I want.
That was probably the best shower I have had in a long time.
I can honestly tell you that I experienced more pleasure
from everyday chores than I can ever remember. What a wonderful lesson I
learned from my sweet Chelsea. I pray that I can continue to enjoy the
place where I am, while continuing to move forward to the place I want to
be.
So much joy can
lie in the journey if I can be content with where I am and not continually
pull to be where I am not quite ready to be. I wish I could say that
Chelsea learned her lesson but that would be a lie. She still kills herself
to get to that next place in the pavement when everything she needs is
right under her nose.
~ Jo Ann Brown
O LORD, how many
are Your works!
In wisdom you have
made them all;
the earth is full
of Your possessions.
I will sing to the
LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praise
to my God while I have my being.
~ Psalm 104: 24,
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