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One way or another our dog, a St. Bernard named Bailey, was going to get clean! A bath was a must. She was no longer a new puppy , but still young and in training. As her owner/ master, I loved her and knew she needed to learn to trust me. She stayed outside for the most part, but we gave her opportunity to come inside to bond with our family in the evenings so she knew she was loved all the more. Her overstuffed, large dog bed was her place of comfort and that's where she learned best the command of STAY. But, the baths were a battle with her from the beginning and continued to be - perhaps she remembered her first battle with the hose. The little ball of fur went face to face with the intimidating long, green hose that spurt nothing but cold water - but she did love the massaging and scrubbing as we worked the shampoo into her fur. The long, stimulating process of a soft towel dry - this was the reward in her world. It was always the much needed rinsing that created havoc, even when we tried a new area, allowing her the privilege of bathing in our large jetted indoor bathtub. Just as soon as we would get her all lathered up to rinse, she would jump out of the tub, which got to be really messy as this St. Bernard started growing into her feet! Bath time meant battle. It didn't take long for me to tire of the messes in the bathroom and the struggle to get her oversized, resistant body back into the tub - back to the outdoor baths! Bailey was smart -the minute she would see me come out the back door with her shampoo, towel, and leash, she ran! Of course as her master, I wanted her to just come to me the first time I called. I chased her at times to put her on a leash so that I could gain some control to reassure her I loved her and a bath didn't have to be so bad; however, after about the second time of this approach, she thought she had outsmarted me and slithered under our back deck so that she was out of my reach. She was determined to not have to do what she didn't deem as pleasant. I continued to call her, lovingly by name, in order to coax her to come out. When this failed I used the hose and sprayed the water under the deck toward her - just a little pressure to help her make a choice. She did need to learn to obey my voice when I called. I can still recall this vision and laugh at the memory today. I watched this large, gentle giant maneuver her way out from under the deck. She quickly jetted toward her oversized- 10 gallon water dish and got into it and tried to sit down in it, but failed. Her body was way too big for the dish, but she looked toward me with a look that spoke volumes. I chuckled to myself and feel like the Lord impressed some things upon my own heart. Perhaps this is what I looked like to him at times when I am resistant and unwilling. If I could have spoken words for Bailey on that day they would have been this - " I surrender! I will have the bath and get clean. I will do what you ask because I love you." The Lord is so gracious to remind us of his goodness in several ordinary ways through mundane tasks. He doesn't force us to come, but he waits! What I wanted from my dog as her master is the same thing our master/good shepherd the Lord Jesus wants from all of us? Continual sweet, sweet surrender of our whole hearts to him and his ways - for then we find life to the full.
Scripture: John 10: 7-10 The Message /Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. "I'll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good - sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn't listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for- will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.
Reflection:
Is there something you are consistently battling that perhaps you have not fully surrendered to the Lord?
When has a pressure in life forced you to make a decision to come fully to the Lord? What was the outcome? Make a timeline of your life and jot a few of them down and see if you aren't refreshed and amazed by God's work in your life
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are our good shepherd. Help to remind us daily, moment by moment, to surrender our hearts and lives to your will. Examine our hearts and help us to see areas that you are asking us to look at. You beacon us, as our good shepherd, to come to you - for when we do, you care for us, change us, and give us life to the full. You are beautiful . Thank you for your relentless love for us!
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