Yea Sadie!

I had the pleasure of dog sitting today.  One of the dogs was a Jack Russell terrier who had some behavior issues the last time I saw her.   Sadie desperately wanted to be loved.  She would tentatively approach you and then, when you were just about to pet her, she would bare her teeth and growl.  That sounds like so many people I know! 

This time, Sadie just sat at the end of the couch and would only turn her eye to look at me.  Her head remained pointed forward.  She saw me pet the other dog and gradually made her way to me.  I left my hands at my sides and just let her crawl onto my lap.  She continued her approach and I just talked to her.  "Nothing but love for Sadie." 

Soon she was licking me and sitting on my chest, pushing her head under my chin trying to get as close as she possibly could.  I gradually began to pet her and continued to talk to her.  She began to whimper with her absolute cry for attention.  She eventually accepted my petting and hugging and then to my utter amazement, reached a satiated level and jumped down.

I was absolutely amazed to the point that it drew tears.  This dog was so hurt at one time that she couldn't accept what she so desperately craved, love and physical attention.  But she has been going to classes with her owner and she is learning.  I was beside myself that Sadie had learned how to love and to accept love again!  It was beautiful, she was normal again!

I was profoundly impressed that we humans react much the same way.  I react much the same way.  I could understand why Jesus tells us to forgive!  It's not for others.  It is truly for us!  He knows that as long as we nurture the bitterness we cannot accept the love we so desperately need and desire.  "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." Luke 11:4. Lord, help me to learn this lesson once and for all and to live and love as I am meant to do.