My biggest thing I am trying to teach Charlie right now is to stay with me without a leash on. This allows for a greater opportunity for him to learn commands based on my voice and not a yank of his leash. Needless to say this has been a bit of trial and error. I have a treat in my hand and walk with it the entire time we are out. He knows the treat is there and that he wants it so he stays close. The test of how bad he wants the treat is if he stays in the midst of other stimulus. For example, were walking around one night and all of a sudden Charlie sprints away toward something. Next things I see running away is a cat. They sprint around the parking lot and I am calling Charlie’s name, but of course he has totally forgotten about the treat he wanted so badly before and has taken to the chase of a cat who will either scratch him or get away…leaving him either wounded, without the prize, or both. He chased the cat for what seemed like 30 min until finally the can climbed a tree and Charlie was left staring up at the one that got away.
I walk over to him and pet him a little and then break of part of the treat to remind him of what he can for sure have if he listens to his master. He gets back on track following me, but still looks back at the cat that is laughing at him for its safe perch on top of the tree. Eventually we are far enough away from the cat the he has moved on and is focused again totally on his original goal. This is aided by the verbal affirmation from me, his master.
I feel this is totally applicable to us in our Christian walk. We start this journey on fire and ready to go. We see the treat and we have a desire to attain it. So we stick close to the master and journey on , eyes focused and ears listening for the commands. Then we start to get distractions. Work, friends, insecurity, pride, greed, etc. Little by little our focus is drawn away from the master and the goal, and instead set our sights toward something entirely different and fleeting. Something that can leave us stranded where we never thought we would be. Something that leaves us wounded and looking for where to go next.
The great thing about this is that, just like me going to Charlie after, our Heavenly father is there for us. He reminds us that he loves us, he shows us a reminder of the joy of the goal he had originally set for us, and he affirms us as we start the journey back. Just like Charlie we look back, wondering if what we originally were chasing could still be in our grasp. Could still be something that would be better than what our master has. Our master gently affirms us though each time we pause, to keep going. To follow close. To only take his best because he k now what is truly best.
All of us at some point have chased a cat of temptation and realized only after we were exhausted and alone that we made the wrong choice. Our job is to listen, to obey, and to grow closer to the master as a result. Trusting all the while that He has what is best in his hands. Something that will leave us far more satisfied than anything else this world can offer us.
Thank you Father for the reminders of your grace and mercy in our lives. Thank you Lord for your Son who died for us so that we can have the best! A life with you! Let us be mindful of your prompting and trusting of your will for our lives and may it bring glory to you alone.
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