After our last dog, Pup Pup had to be put to sleep from old age, we vowed no more dogs. And for two months stuck to it. Then, getting bored with the extra money from not buying dog food, or the midnight barking, and the love she gave, we got Clemenza-our American Bulldog. And she would be an outside dog, like Pup Pup. But when this little puppy came home, that didn't last. In fact the first night she stayed on our bed, which to this day she still thinks is hers. And quickly took over the home, and yard, and neighborhood. And of course our hearts.
I had been told about crate training, where the dog goes into their crate for the night. How big is the crate for a 75 pound dog? So we tried a small fence, and would enclose her in the garage during the day, but at night she slept in our room. When she wasn't in bed with Andrew, or whatever guest was staying with us. They would be warned, but she still ended up in the bed with them, sometimes under the covers. Crate training obviously wasn't the way to go, and besides, who locks up their watchdog? Names supplied upon request. Whereas some dogs needed the crate, and so do their owners, to protect the dog from them, Clemenza needed the house-and yard, and sometimes the neighbors. And after six years, we are still in training, seems Theresa and I are slow learners, but we are getting better. She has become family, would you put your little brother in a cage? Hmmm, don't answer, but I think you get the point.
Theresa and I like to travel. Some don't. Going to visit 50 miles away is an all day affair, laced with stress, confusion, and a week to recover. Some have to have a preplanned route, and destination-and can't handle any deviation from it. For years, we would just ride, then find a place, sometimes after 10pm, but we never didn't not find a place. Now we have a destination, and will make reservations. some of our after 10 choices were based on availability and desperation. Now we have a place to go, but leave the route open until the night before. Unless we have a route that is included to get there, we scout out the local roads, other riders, and sometimes still just take a road that looks good. You may call them detours, we call them opportunities for new roads, and places. And it is never boring, and sometimes a 135 mile destination turns into a 430 mile ride. And more memories than sitting in your motel room, writing postcards about the things you would have seen, instead of taking pictures of the things you are seeing. No crate training for us, and all roads are available to us. And like Clemenza, we have met many friends, had great meals, and ridden great roads not available to us if we just drove to the night's destination.
Fellowship is like that too. And going to church can be an adventure. Some feel Sunday fulfills their weekly attendance requirement-except for a CEO, Christmas and Easter only attendee, and grumble all the way. Some add Wednesday, or try to use it rather than Sunday, when really it can be a midweek refresher. And less formal, and more intimate. Then Bible studies, where you can interact, something missing at the other two. Not the same as a Wednesday night. And still not a replacement for Sundays. Each has its own flavor, and one should not be used as a replacement for the other. Crate training can also affect the mind, and old time church ideas may just be stale, and need a refreshing jumpstart. Think outside of the crate, instead of what is done traditionally. Attend a Bible study and interact, and find there are others with questions like yours, that require more than the pulpit. Use it as a supplement, but never as a replacement.
This week leave your crate door open, and see where God leads you. A different study, and maybe a different attitude. Don't be boxed in by tradition, be uncrated by a limitless God. Allow the spirit to expand your horizons, and see and experience things of God you never knew existed, or maybe just heard about, and wondered if you would ever get there.
And like Clemenza, you might just be meeting new friends you didn't realize you had. Heaven is our destination, how you get there is up to you. All maps don't show all roads. Let God make it exciting and interesting by following Him. Think outside the crate, and leave that old time religion behind. Remember a rut is really a grave, but with the ends open as a way to escape.
We'll leave the light on for you. For wherever you rest your head, is home for the night. And only in Jesus, will you find that rest.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
