Aren't these boys sweet? Well, this morning while I was stationary biking, they both decided to play with the stuffed gray cat. Mr. Knightley had it first, then Opie decided he wanted it as well. They tugged and pulled with their whole bodies for a full ten minutes, growling and snarling and hanging on literally by the skin of their teeth. I decided to let them go to it, as I was curious as to how long it would last. Finally, Mr. Knightley (on the right) let go and walked away. Opie then followed Knightley and dropped the cat at his feet, as if to say, Well, if you don't want it, I sure don't. Or maybe it was a peace offering. Or a challenge. We'll never know.
But I mused as I watched: Isn't it just like us to want what someone else has until we actually get it? Isn't it true that we fight for what we believe in until we lose friends over it and then realize we didn't believe it that badly after all? Don't we relish the thought of winning until we actually win (and I'm referring to disagreements, not Scrabble!). [I'm not saying here that we don't hold on firmly to our beliefs and understandings of Scripture; but when the issue is something less than truth, when it's just a battle of wills, the first one to let go is the clear winner.]
Paul speaks in a number of places of our "one another" lives:
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11)
My pups know nothing of Scripture, although I'm working on it! But they do honor God in pointing me to my Savior as the only One who can enable me to love. They show me how to let go of the "gray cat", and humble myself at another's and Another's feet.
I love this analogy! Cute dogs, too!
ReplyDelete