Pains for Life
"Bella, are you going to be my sweet Bella today, or is the old Bella going to show her ugly head?"
My chow/shepard puppy which we've labeled a chepard stared up at me as I sat at the breakfast table. Her head when sitting sets above the table.
"I know my sweet Bella is in there wanting to come out, she just needs some training."
An apprehensive look crossed her face as I showed her the shock collar. I only keep it on the first level. There are nine, but I do not wish to inflick unnecessary pain on her.The shock is rendered after the command "No" and no compliance occurs. This has worked well with Bella, however, she has come to associate pain with the collar itself and not the behavior.
What Bella does not understand is the pain given to ensure obedience is the pain that will save her from a speeding car when she is tempted to run into the road.
How many times do we fault God for the pain inflicted in our lives? Have we ever stopped to ask ourselves if the pain was warrented from disobedience or a gentle "shock" in order to save us from destruction?
Having experienced much pain in my own life (more than some and less than others) I need to ask myself how much of that was to bring out the "sweet Beth" and supress the ugly one, that His purposes may be fulfilled in me. He created me to meet specific needs and I must be prepared for those needs. As I continue on this path of life meeting needs and being prepared for future needs, may I be reminded that the pain incurred along the way is to sculpt the sweet Beth in me.
What a loving Savior we do, indeed, have.
Sojourning with you...
Beth
My chow/shepard puppy which we've labeled a chepard stared up at me as I sat at the breakfast table. Her head when sitting sets above the table.
"I know my sweet Bella is in there wanting to come out, she just needs some training."
An apprehensive look crossed her face as I showed her the shock collar. I only keep it on the first level. There are nine, but I do not wish to inflick unnecessary pain on her.The shock is rendered after the command "No" and no compliance occurs. This has worked well with Bella, however, she has come to associate pain with the collar itself and not the behavior.
What Bella does not understand is the pain given to ensure obedience is the pain that will save her from a speeding car when she is tempted to run into the road.
How many times do we fault God for the pain inflicted in our lives? Have we ever stopped to ask ourselves if the pain was warrented from disobedience or a gentle "shock" in order to save us from destruction?
Having experienced much pain in my own life (more than some and less than others) I need to ask myself how much of that was to bring out the "sweet Beth" and supress the ugly one, that His purposes may be fulfilled in me. He created me to meet specific needs and I must be prepared for those needs. As I continue on this path of life meeting needs and being prepared for future needs, may I be reminded that the pain incurred along the way is to sculpt the sweet Beth in me.
What a loving Savior we do, indeed, have.
Sojourning with you...
Beth
posted by beth at 8:39 AM
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