"May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I
am." From one of my favorite
refrigerator magnets. The magnet
reminded me to aspire to be a better
person because of unconditional
love. My dogs follow me wherever I
go. They love me on my good days and my
bad. They remind me of what really is
important in life, character, not what others think.
When I read Mark 1:32-34 I stopped to ponder the end of
verse 34. Jesus had spent the evening
healing the sick of a variety of
illnesses and driving out the demons in the possessed. But He would not let the demons speak because
they knew who He was.
Why did Jesus forbid the demons to tell who He was? I think Jesus
wanted the people to hear His message from Him, not from evil ones, and to see
His love without distraction from the world.
Jesus didn't need "street cred" from them. He came to reveal God's message according to
God's plan. There was no need for additional
publicity.
The final words in verse 34 made me think that too often we
strive for worldly recognition. Too
often we thirst for adulation from those who really don't matter.
My dog Molly is a challenge.
When I come in the door she barks loudly and incites the other two dogs
into chaos. We call it "banshee
barking". She feels the need to
single herself for my attention. It's
quite annoying. We've tried all manner
of disciplines but the two that stop the behavior the best are giving her
something to put in her mouth(sometimes literally put a sock in her mouth) and
Dick calling her to "assume the position" of leaning into his chair
and petting.
Yet I am committed to Molly in spite of her behavior. I haven't listed her on Craig's list because
she is loyal. She follows me throughout
the house. When I'm in my sewing room,
she's laying at my feet. When I'm at the
table, she's at my feet (unless Dick is
eating elsewhere and she's waiting on him to spill). Molly thinks I'm great! I may have a day when I haven't pleased those
in the world but Molly is always pleased with me.
My dogs inspire me to love unconditionally, to give, to
strive, to forgive.
Jesus came to Earth to show me God's unconditional
love. God's message of love for me is
found in His word. I don't need to have
the message of God's Love validated by others. I don't need to demand His attention and love
by annoying behaviors that distract me from leaning into His love.
Jesus' Message inspires me
to give
my whole being to God,
to
strive to please God, not those in the world, and
to
forgive myself and those in the world who fail me.
God has shown I'm worth it.
He see more in me than the world does or than I do.
Perhaps my next refrigerator magnet should read "May I be the kind of person God thinks
I am."
