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.