Come When You're Called

-

I winced as I hurried across the yard. The pain in the bottom of my bare feet reminded me that there were acorns on the ground.  I was chasing the ever-elusive ten-pound chihuahua/rat terrier mix named Pumpkin. He had escaped into the front yard. No amount of calling his name, offering of treats, whistling, or any other tactic I could think of was enticing him to return to the house. He seemed to think it was a game. He would stop in the street or in a neighbor's yard. Then, just as I got close, he would take off running. He is very fast.  I don't like to fall, and I do like to breathe. So, I walk after this stubborn little dog. 



Chasing Pumpkin reminds me of my Dad's words, "There's nothing I dislike more than a dog who won't come when he's called." That is my dog. He is eleven years old and has NEVER come when he is called. He comes when he wants to. Sometimes when I call him he ignores me. Other times he turns and looks at me, then goes about his business, paying no mind to my call. 

This morning as I was losing the game of chase with this four-legged challenger I wondered, "Do I sometimes act like this little dog?" My thoughts turned to times when I've heard God calling. Do I ignore my heavenly father? Do I, like my stubborn canine companion, turn and acknowledge God's call then go about my business as if I heard nothing? 

My purpose in calling Pumpkin's name this morning was for his good. He was out of the boundaries of the environment that was best for him (the house or the fenced backyard.) What I had planned for him when he came in was a treat and some time in my lap before I had to get ready for school. By ignoring me, he was putting himself in danger (from cars and big dogs on leashes who might not like little yappy dogs). By avoiding coming into the house he was missing out on a treat and being petted. 

When God calls me, it is for my good. (Romans 8:28). Sometimes I'm outside the boundaries of what is best for me. Other times I miss out on sweet fellowship with my Savior because I ignore His call.

After several rounds of this mom-chasing-dog game, Pumpkin turned and ran for home. I fussed at him and promised him I'd never let him out the front door again. Then I sat down in the recliner. Pumpkin, unaware of my frustration, jumped in my lap. All was forgiven. My love for this crazy little dog doesn't change when he makes mistakes. 

I am thankful that God is merciful and gracious. He loves me. He continues to call me and speak to me even though sometimes I don't listen well. 

Heavenly father, help me to be more aware of and attentive to your voice. Help me to come when you call. I look forward to fellowship with you and the great and mighty things that you will show me as I draw near to you. 

"…..and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice."  John 10: 3-4 NIV









Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thirty-two?

-
Image
I miss this face. This little boy would be thirty-two years old today. It's been too long since I've seen him. It's been too long since I've seen that smile or heard that laugh. I wonder what grown-up Matthew would be like? I'm pretty sure the brown eyes would sill sparkle, and that crooked grin would still melt my heart. I'm pretty sure he would be protective of his sisters. What I don't know is what his teen-age and adult choices would have been. Were there some unpleasant consequences that he was spared from by being taken at the age of five? So many questions remain unanswered. What kind of young-man would he be? Kind-hearted? Most-likely. Generous? Probably so. Hard-headed? I'm pretty sure. Would his teenage and young adult years brought trouble? The hard answer is: probably so. This precious boy in his five short years witnessed domestic violence, and saw his dad arrested and imprisoned. As a young mother, I was overwhelmed and not the pa
Read more

No Smell of Fire

-
Image
"I never knew you were a single mom," a woman told me as we walked across the church parking lot after a youth activity our teenagers were involved in. I considered her statement a compliment.  Her words implied to me that our family appeared normal. (What is normal anyway?) As a single parent, I often felt inadequate. I worried that my parenting efforts would glare like a flashing neon sign, "This mom is a screw-up." I was afraid that my mistakes would forever damage my children. In the midst of those worries I pleaded with God to help me. Over and over I relied on His promise to be father to the fatherless (Psalm 68:5). The fact that this woman had known me for a couple of years and did not know I was a single parent suggested to me that He was keeping his promise. "With all you've been through....and you walk around with a smile on your face!" These words from a new colleague were another reminder of God's faithfulness. When I
Read more

Mowing in the Dark

-
Image
I knew I had procrastinated too long. The yard was a jungle. I had used every excuse to put off this task, but today was the day it must be done. The neighbors had all mowed. I had the lone unkempt, tall grassland on the block. I started late in the evening. Unfortunately, because I was cutting a jungle, it was slow going. Every few steps required that I slow down, raise the mower to blow out the grass, then repeat. By the time I got to the last section of my yard, the sun was setting quickly. When I was about half-way through that part, the only light was from the streetlight in the corner.  As I guess-mowed, I thought about light sources and mowing. ( I know, my brain is weird ) When I mow the yard in the sunlight, I can see well. It's easy to see where the grass needs to be cut and use that as a guide to know where to turn. I can see fallen twigs, the neighbor kid's nerf darts, and the wire from the old sprinkler head that I mowed over last time. In the sunlight I
Read more