Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Willingness (02/21/05)
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TITLE: Willing To Die | Previous Challenge Entry
By Carol Adams
02/24/05 -
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many synonyms demonstrated in action. Willingness is an eagerness to be
active in attitudes and decisions. It affects the heart, soul and mind of people. It’s expanse is from every direction and as deep as it is wide.
While growing up on a farm, I had a beautiful white German Shepherd with a
distinctive black circle around his left eye. He was gorgeous. King was his name and the two of us were bonded. Wherever I went, his willingness followed me. He protected me many times. I remember, as the two of us
explored our farm, we came upon a hissing snake. King promptly and discreetly got around it and grabbed it in his mouth, and furiously shook it from side to side until it was dead. King would have died for me.
My parents, at my young age, had trouble controlling me. If they said to stay around the house, I was in the corral or in the buildings, or in the barn
playing with kittens. On one particular day, my Mom told me exactly that - to stay around the house. You know when you are 4 or 5 years old that is a big order! There is so much to see and do around a farmyard.
Well, my Dad was plowing in the field next to the house. King and I (mostly me) decided to walk through the field to where he was about a mile away.
I had forgotten those strict words, “Stay around the house!” King and I were
on an adventure. Oh, the things we encountered: big beetle bugs, little gophers, and little birds in the freshly plowed soil. This was great fun! Though King would briefly dash about, he never left my side for very long.
I loved him and he loved me. I would pet him and he would return the favor
with his big red tongue.
King and I were about a half a mile out when my Mom decides to check on me. She calls, she yells my name and King’s because she knows wherever King is there I will be. Of course, I don’t answer because we are too busy
frolicking in the dirt and the distance was great enough I did not hear her
yelling. Mom is pretty frantic by now.
She happens to look out to the field where my Dad is plowing and there she sees King beautifully arrayed in his white coat with a little figure walking beside him. My Mom is so angry. She begins to run out in the field to catch up with me. Dad must have seen this production going on, so he pulls the tractor and plow out and they both reach me at the same time. I was in
big trouble, and I knew it!
My Dad raises his hand to spank me when all of a sudden King (willingness)
jumped up and grabbed my Dad’s hand and pulls him down to the soft dirt. He is growling at both Mom and Dad and they back off. I wonder now just how many spankings King protected me from. That was the last time King
demonstrated his loyalty, protection and willingness for me. In fact,
King died for me.
My parents were terrified that King’s devotion was so strong to protect me
that Dad shot him the next day. My Mom took me to town and upon our arrival back home, Dad told me that King got run over and was dead. I ran to see his crumpled body on the road. I cried and cried for my dog. What a
wonderful dog!
King taught me some wonderful things about willingness, even though personified in a dog. He was devoted to me, he protected me, and he died
for me. He came to me each morning with a servant’s loyal heart. He was my friend.
Jesus’ willingness to die for me on a cruel cross to pay for my sins so that I
could live now and eternally amazes me. Such love, such willingness to die! I pray that I will always have a spirit of willingness because like King, my dog, and my Lord, they showed no boundaries!
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