Vern and Bee have been away from home for the most of three weeks. During our stay at Carolina Pines, we have been residing in a cottage right next to the dog park. Every day, the two bullies witness the many breeds of dogs strutting past as they pull their owners behind them.
It has been difficult for the two bullies to let their four legged friend walk by without barking and sharing with them how tough and fearless they are. It appears to them that it is their right to let every dog know they exist, no matter how irritating it can be for their human friends.
Vern and Bee have picked up some bad habits which hopefully will disappear once we arrive back home. Just like our canine friends, we can also emulate the community we are in, particularly when we feel like we are on an extended vacation.
During extended times of relaxing and enjoying ourselves, we can neglect to spend time with God and strive to grow spiritually. This is what happened to Abram when he left the desert and went into Egypt to get away from a famine. Instead of reaching out to God, he relied on his feelings of fear, causing all the people around him to be cursed.
“From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the Lord.” (Genesis 13:3-4)
There have been times when I’ve felt far from God. And given I’m a human, I’m assuming you have also felt this way. When this happens, Abram directs us in the direction we should take. If we can return to where we found God and repeat the actions we did when we initially encountered him, then more than likely, we will experience his presence.
I’m hoping that Vern and Bee will also return to being the mellow bullies that we are so accustomed to. But until then, we will continue to discipline them so that all the other dogs visiting the dog park can enjoy their time without a lot of ruckus.
