A Puppy Parable
Life is unpredictable!
One day we have things together and we are ready to tackle the world and the next day we are ready to collapse. This morning I learned something about life from our new puppies:
Yes, the puppies I threatened to sell on Wednesday. Everyone was in a tizzy including me. I had had enough puppy accidents!!! The girls heard the word “sell” and you would have thought I had died - actually, I hope they cry that much when I die.
So, what did I learn? Allow me to elaborate.
The puppies had made it through the night with no accidents (probably because we had all threatened them within an inch of their life) and I set them outside just below the steps to our front door. They went pee right away…..then since it was so cold, Oreo and Brownie put their paws up on the front step. Within a few seconds, Oreo hopped up all three steps for the first time, but Brownie couldn’t do it. I could see the frustration all over Brownie’s face as he started to whimper.
Oreo was in a dilemma: he was right where he wanted to be, but his brother was at the bottom of the steps and couldn’t make it up. Oreo moved to the edge of the steps and took a HUGE risk….he hopped down. He had never gone down a step before in his life. Now he was standing two steps from the bottom pacing back and forth…..and then it happened….he risked his life and jumped three times his height down two steps to be with his brother.
Brownie stopped whimpering immediately……his brother had returned. The hero of the morning was OREO CAMPBELL…..but he didn’t stop there. He actually walked Brownie over to the steps and tried to help him up. AMAZING! If only we could be so selfless…
The story is crystal clear.
The steps represent the difficult circumstances of life that at times seem insurmountable. The landing at the top of the steps represents those days (sometimes few and far between) that we are able to enjoy accomplishment. Depending on the day, we may find ourselves on the landing and feeling good or we may find ourselves at the bottom looking up at the impossible.
So, what can we learn from two puppies who can barely even remember to pee outside?
When we see people in need we must take the risks necessary to be on their level. We MUST resist the urge to stay on our level and try to talk those in need up the steps. It never works!
Look for someone in need, take a risk and meet them on their level - that’s what Jesus did.
“Christ Jesus…made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:5-8)
Whether we follow the example of a puppy or of our Savior, we have an obligation to meet people at the bottom of the steps.
See you there!
One day we have things together and we are ready to tackle the world and the next day we are ready to collapse. This morning I learned something about life from our new puppies:
Yes, the puppies I threatened to sell on Wednesday. Everyone was in a tizzy including me. I had had enough puppy accidents!!! The girls heard the word “sell” and you would have thought I had died - actually, I hope they cry that much when I die.
So, what did I learn? Allow me to elaborate.
The puppies had made it through the night with no accidents (probably because we had all threatened them within an inch of their life) and I set them outside just below the steps to our front door. They went pee right away…..then since it was so cold, Oreo and Brownie put their paws up on the front step. Within a few seconds, Oreo hopped up all three steps for the first time, but Brownie couldn’t do it. I could see the frustration all over Brownie’s face as he started to whimper.
Oreo was in a dilemma: he was right where he wanted to be, but his brother was at the bottom of the steps and couldn’t make it up. Oreo moved to the edge of the steps and took a HUGE risk….he hopped down. He had never gone down a step before in his life. Now he was standing two steps from the bottom pacing back and forth…..and then it happened….he risked his life and jumped three times his height down two steps to be with his brother.
Brownie stopped whimpering immediately……his brother had returned. The hero of the morning was OREO CAMPBELL…..but he didn’t stop there. He actually walked Brownie over to the steps and tried to help him up. AMAZING! If only we could be so selfless…
The story is crystal clear.
The steps represent the difficult circumstances of life that at times seem insurmountable. The landing at the top of the steps represents those days (sometimes few and far between) that we are able to enjoy accomplishment. Depending on the day, we may find ourselves on the landing and feeling good or we may find ourselves at the bottom looking up at the impossible.
So, what can we learn from two puppies who can barely even remember to pee outside?
When we see people in need we must take the risks necessary to be on their level. We MUST resist the urge to stay on our level and try to talk those in need up the steps. It never works!
Look for someone in need, take a risk and meet them on their level - that’s what Jesus did.
“Christ Jesus…made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:5-8)
Whether we follow the example of a puppy or of our Savior, we have an obligation to meet people at the bottom of the steps.
See you there!
posted by Admin at
8:24 PM
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