By Brenda Black
She cocks her little blaze-striped
nose to one side and stares straight into my eyes intensely, but only
briefly. Just when I think I have her undivided attention, a
butterfly flits by and I've lost her completely. Sharp, upward ears
flop from antennae mode to romp and run position. She's all pup and
worth about eight seconds of attention.
At times it's delightful to watch her
flit and bounce in playful antics. Other times, not so entertaining.
When you desire her full focus and her little mind is gallivanting,
it gets frustrating. Callie, a Border Collie pup, is learning the
ropes about who is in charge and just where she can wander. She's
figuring out which words and intonations mean reward and which signal
disapproval. As bright as this little beast seems to be, the lessons
must be practiced over and over while she masters just who is THE
master.
That's where my son steps in, for this
little miss is really his charge. I'm watching them figure it out
moment by moment – just who is king and who is the subject. I see
glimpses of hope, as long as he has her to himself with no
distractions. That's when she looks adoringly up at her tall,
two-legged companion and desires to please only him. The true proof
of their deepening connection will come when he sequesters her focus
in spite of her surroundings. As I watch this new team teach and
learn respectively, it becomes apparent the most important components
for their strong bond are time, trust, wisdom and obedience.
“Listen, my sons, to a father's
instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound
learning, so do not forsake my teaching. When I was a boy in my
father's house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, he
taught me and said, 'Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep
my commands and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not
forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will
watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it
cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt
you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will set a garland of
grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor.'
“Listen, my son, accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many. I guide you in the way of
wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps
will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to
instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life...
“My son, pay attention to what I
say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them
and health to a man's whole body. Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.” (Proverbs 4:1-13, 20-23)
Sounds like more than pups need some
training. The Lord is our Master, but do we listen? Do we fix our
attention for more than a few seconds on the One who has our best
interest at heart? God calls us to “Sit” at His feet. He beckons
us to “Stay” in His Word and “Be Still” long enough to hear
His commands clearly. But we have to focus in order to truly feel His
loving affirmation.
The modern-day attention span has
deteriorated drastically. That is evident. Few will stay on task for
more than a nano-second without immediate gratification. I find
myself less and less able to concentrate on one thing unless I shut
out the clutter vying to occupy my brain. I have to turn off the
world sometimes by closing my eyes or plugging my ears just so I can
think! And I need to do that more intentionally with regards to
focusing on my Lord.
I long to gaze into His eyes and stay
transfixed long enough to hear from His heart and let it seep into my
being. That's going to take more than eight seconds every once in a
while. It will take a lifetime of dedication to my Master. The
rewards: A bond never broken, trust unleashed, tail-wagging wisdom
and joyful obedience.
No comments:
Post a Comment