God---Dog

As you may know I have 2 Labradors, Jake and Sara. Jake is a bit of a mama's boy. He would follow me through fire just to stand right next to me. He is obedient I think because he doesn't want to miss anything, like the handing out of treats or a good belly rub.  Sara is a little more of a free spirit.  She obeys when it makes sense.  She also is afraid of most anything at first.  She gets over it fast.  She is afraid of a sudden gust of wind, of a guy running past her, of a trash can. Its funny most of the time watching her navigate through her fears. The other morning I was walking them to the pet area so they could do their business. To get to the assigned area for this task we had to take this three foot wide path in between a parked car and an evil, scary, trash can. I had both of them on leashes and I went first. Jake came right behind me no problem, but the trash can scared sweet Sara. She pulled back in all her fear and slid to the left knocking down the trash can, spilling it all over scaring her even more. I turned around and saw her face and the mess and with a stern but quiet voice said "If you would just follow me...." I caught myself. I smiled and laughed and finished the sentence "Oh Sara if you would follow me you would be just fine and safe." I looked at the mess I now got to clean up. In only the way a dog can, she came right up to me wagging her tail, so sorry for the commotion she caused. She was so relieved that I wasn't mad and that she was ok and  that the horrible trash can really wasn't so scary.  I picked up the trash and loved on her. I know if she could she would have picked up the trash but she cant, that is my job. And I was glad to do it for her and it was in that moment  I knew my Savior was teaching me! HE allowed me to feel in a very small way what HE feels for us. Follow me and when you are afraid and make a mess I will forgive and clean you up. I cannot tell you how many times I have let fear keep me from following my Savior.  After I cleaned up the mess I still had to get the dogs to the spot to do what we came to do.  I held Sara a little closer, walked right beside her and helped her through that tough spot.  I love how the Lord teaches me!  Matthew 16:24-26