The Puppy Stage

 

There came a time when our old dog, Zeus, being old and full of years (those sound like the same things to me, but it says that about Job in the Bible) died and slept with his fathers.  For, Zeus was about 105 years old, if those who say that one human year is seven dog years have truth.

(Since I have never seen a dog with a calendar, I think it likely that they do no celebrate birthdays every 52 days).

Lo, our family mourned for a space of time and then, decided that we should get a younger dog to be a part of our family.  We inquired in various places and discovered a nine-week-old dog that was mostly Lab and she, we purchased.

Very quickly, we discovered what I had forgotten – namely that Puppies are not the same as Old Dogs.  Aria was many things, but she was not Zeus 2.0.

 For puppies dig and not for Buried Treasure.  They also chew on many things, including pencils (that no one leaves on the floor), stuffed animals, and anything else that happens to fall on the floor.  

There came one day that I discovered Aria carrying one of my daughter’s shoes.  Now, Aria does not wear shoes and so I feel certain that she thought a shoe was simply a Lovely Thing on which to Chew.

As I think on it, I realize that Puppies are Tabula Rosas, that is, Blank Slates.  In a short time, they learn an awful lot.

In the months since she has been with us, Aria has become house trained.  She is (slowly) learning not to jump on people.  Perhaps other educational opportunities lie waiting in her future.

When someone becomes a Christian, in much the same way they are unlearned.  They know little of God, the Bible, or the Fruit of the Spirit.

Those things come with Effort and Experience.

I am afraid that there are many who are comfortable continuing in the Puppy Stage, far into their walk with God.  For ignorance is easier than learning and laziness is a trait that is all too common, ever since Adam and Even ate the Wrong Fruit.

There is a blessing in growing and learning, even in things of faith.  For they that would truly know Jesus must not remain Puppies any longer than is necessary.

Elise and the Bed

 

There is among the daughters of men a two-year-old girl whose name is Elise.  Now, Elise is a Precocious and Very Intelligent child.  I do not say this only because I am her father.

(Although I fully admit that I am biased).

One day it so passed that she desired to get upon the bed of her parents.  The sun was just past its noontide and Elise no longer taketh a Siesta, but rather she wished to Leap and even to Jump upon the bed.

Straightway she said in a voice of command.  “Shall she want to be up on the bed?!”

Several seconds went by without a response from Elise’s parents, or anyone else within our dwelling place.  Therefore, she said in a somewhat louder voice, “Shall she need to be up on the bed?!”

Unfortunately, once again Elise’s parents did not jump quickly to respond to her and so finally, she said in a very loud voice “UP!!”

At this word, Elise’s father lifted her up and set her upon the bed.

Now, perhaps there are fathers who only give their children exactly what they need and no more, but it pleases me greatly when I can give my children something they desire – even though it is not Absolutely Necessary for their Wellbeing.

It came to my memory verses from the Gospel of Matthew.  Jesus said, “What man is there among you whom if his son ask for bread, will he give him a stone or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent… How much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?”

It seems to me that oft times we are afraid of asking for things, for fear that our Heavenly Father might think us selfish.  This, even though He knows both our wants and our needs and loves us in spite of them.

Shall He not also give good things to us, if we just ask Him?

Approaching the Great Physician

 

And it came to pass that one day I traveled along highways and byways of Virginia to a town wherein there is a single traffic light, two apothecaries, and a large Recycle Center.  There, within the town, I made my way to Carolina Avenue, where I found a building that houseth dispensers of Medicines and Medical Advice.

 It is within this very building that I labor, giving names strange diseases like “Upper Respiratory Infections,” “Diver's Tick-ilitis,” and even the dread malady “Arthur-it-is.”  Along with this occupation of naming illnesses, at times, I tell people What to Do and further, to Stop Eating Junk Food.

 Me thinks I am like a Voice Crying in the Wilderness.

 On this particular day, there passed my doors a man who was almost exactly twice my age.  This is more unusual these days, as I am no longer twenty-four and those few who are double my age are Very Old indeed.

 We discussed his various ailments, which were remarkably few, considering his age.  At the end of our time together I expressed this in the manner of all good Medicine Men, “You, Sir, are in very good shape for the shape you are in.”

 My young for his age patient chuckled a little and then replied, “You’re doing a good job keeping me going.  You don’t have very good material to work with.  And thank you, too.”

 I found a lot of humility in this little conversation and honesty as well.  And yet, I, who am a Medicine Man for many, do not ever think about the fragility of my patients, or that they are not Worth the Effort.  Rather I think of how I might help their various Illnesses and Speed their Recovery.

 I know that there are many times when I have approached the Great Physician, bowing myself at His feet and seeking healing and even victory over my weaknesses.  “But Lord,” I have cried many times.  “I know you don’t have very good material to work with.  Do what you can.  And thank you too.  Amen.”

 Though every word I have spoken is true, He does not send me away empty.  Instead, He works something Worthwhile in one who feels himself to be of Little Worth.

 For, the one who cometh unto Him, He will in no wise cast out.

The Parable of the Catalog

 

Lo, there came a day that my beautiful, eldest daughter arrived home from her Institution of Learning in a horseless carriage, that some call a minivan.  If it were known, Anna, is one of the favorite women in my life, albeit she does take quite a lot of time in the room of sinks and baths and sometimes bosses her brothers.  But that is Another Story for Another Day.

 Anna did go to the box wherein are oft found things like Junk Mail and Bills and occasionally Letters from Pen Pals.  When my eldest returned, she had with her two pieces of Junk Mail and one item that made my heart glow a little brighter.

 For, she had found with the other items, a Catalog from a Seed Company.

 Now, I am Full of Years and can remember when companies like JC Penney and Montgomery Ward and Sears Roebuck and Company sent Catalogs to our home.  At the time, I was still in my youth and lacking funds did not actually buy anything from those books.  Unlike those, I have been known to purchase things from businesses which sell things for My Garden.

 With some reverence I opened the glossy leaves of the Catalog and began to gaze at the different seeds and products found therein. 

For, Seed Catalogs speak to me of Spring Time coming.  Beyond the windows of my home, I can still see a white substance, that resembles sand, but is quite a bit colder than that, but as I look at Goliath Tomato Seeds, Yukon Gold Seed Potatoes, and Creme Puff Popcorn Seed, I can envision a brisk spring morning when I will begin to plant my garden.

 The great men and women who put together Seed Catalogs may not believe in God, but they certainly believe in His faithfulness in bringing around the seasons again.  Further, they believe that a Gardener and His Money are Soon Parted.

 Of course, the pages of each Catalog reveal images of perfect produce.  The names which have been given to the varieties tell, as well, of the glorious abilities of each vegetable:  Elite Zucchini, Perfection Zucchini, Super Sugar Sprint Peas, Incredible Sweet Corn, and many others reveal themselves as paragons.

 Truly, there are many gardeners, who plan in February for a garden of perfection, only to wonder, while drenched in perspiration in July, if they have Bitten off More than they could Chew.

 This is the way of life.  Many start strong, with visions of what the future could be and Dreams of Gardens Yet to Come, but with the Toil of Weeding and the Onslaught of Squash Bugs, comes a faltering.  The Vision is lost and some even give up.

 Just as in life, the Gardeners who keep their Vision and Persevere will be rewarded. 

 More than Zucchini awaits the Faithful.