Don't Fear the Laundry Room

It was Monday afternoon. We were about to leave to take my grandma to an appointment and get some lunch. Just as I was settling into the car my dad yelled from the house, "Look, Gracie is up the street!"

My dog had broken out of her electric fence and was headed toward the busy roads we live near. My mom drove up the street to try and coax her to go "bye-bye". There was no way that dog was giving up her new found freedom. I jumped out and told my mom to get Grandma to her appointment. I'd stay behind and get the dog home safe. I called my dad and told him to bring up a car so we could work together. For about forty-five minutes we followed, chased, called, and begged her. Apparently, this was an exciting game for the dog. Gracie also knew she was in trouble and was attempting to avoid punishment as long as she could. To say I became frustrated is an understatement. The words under my breath became more and more offensive. To make matters worse, I'd fallen and could feel the effects of it on my knee and back.

Part of me wanted to give up and just let her try and make her way back home on her own. At the same time I was terrified of the danger she was in. Several times she was inches away from getting hit by a car. Would I witness my dog's death that day? Angry and scared, it was only in-between breaks of my profanity that I whispered, "Lord, please. Please." About an hour after we began, with the help of a kind lady, Gracie was caught. She was safe again, muddying up my backseat. With a sigh of relief, I scolded her. She was sentenced to a prolonged stay in the laundry room. As she sat quietly shut off from the rest of the house, I could finally relax. Then my dad said something that really struck me.

"All that time we were just trying to save her life."

His statement makes me think about our own freedom. Free will can be so dangerous. Are we ignoring or even toying with God as we run away from a Savior? Our Father just wants to save us from this world, but especially from ourselves. Luckily, no matter how far we stray, God will never give up.

Amazingly enough, there is no laundry room. How lucky we are that even after all the worry and frustration we cause, there is no punishment. We continue to receive God's unfailing love.

The hour long chase in the cool winter air was worth it because my Gracie's life was saved. Are you allowing yourself the same?

-KP

In unrelated news, It's my brother's birthday! Happy Birthday B!



How can I stay mad at this face?