Monday, December 17, 2012

MARTY GETS GROUNDED


It's not what you think.

Marty did not get put in *time out* for being a bad beagle.  He is an adorable beaglebut he is a beagle.

Which means that he loves to smell, and he eats like a garbage disposer.

That accounts for the little *drama* that happened a couple of weeks ago.

Youngest son fell asleep one night, sound asleep – and evidently when the human's away, the beagle will play.

Marty found his way into a wastebasket and indulged himself in some used coffee grounds.

I'm sure he loved the taste of them, but they did not love him.

Son woke up to find Marty asleep next to…well, let's just say "recycled" coffee grounds and some dinner.

One quick call to the veterinary emergency room – and they were on their way.

***A piece of advice to all you dog owners out there:  Coffee and coffee grounds are very dangerous for dogs.  Just like chocolate.  And ingesting them should be treated like an emergency situation.***

So, guess who got the call at 10:45 PM – and guess who woke up out of a dead sleep to pray for one precious granddog…

Fortunately, the vet said Marty should be OK – after another round of induced "recycling" – and a dose of charcoal to soak up any remnants.

My son said that Marty returned home with a black snout.  And around 3 AM, he had another "recycling" episode, which he stepped in, and there were little charcoal Marty footprints all over the blankets on the couch.

Just like a toddler, huh?!

The next day, I called early in the morning to check on little Mr. Folger's.  My son said he didn't think it was possible for a beagle to look disheveled – but that was the best word to describe Marty.

A bit dazed, and disheveled.

I'm not sure what Marty was thinking – though I know what he was smelling.

Mmm, good to the last drop.

Maybe he was pondering the idea of starting a Pawbuck's – and wanted to sample the wares.  Or maybe he thought Canine Café au Lait sounded like a good idea at midnight.  (Furry frappuccino, perhaps?) 

Or maybe he wasn't thinking – he was just smelling.  A dog impelled by instinct to do something potentially dangerous.

Hmmm.

I'm wondering about the things that impel me to act in certain ways.

Like having to have the last word in arguments.  Or putting someone down because I'm secretly envious of them.  Or buying that something that I don't really need.  Or fibbing just a little to save face.

This list could go on and on – but then I'd be way too embarrassed.

The plain fact of the matter is that I am often compelled by my sin nature to do certain things.  And often, those things are not good for me.  Downright dangerous sometimes.

Paul understood:

"The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin.  I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate.  But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good.  So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  I want to do what is right, but I can't.  I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.  But if I do what I don't want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.  I love God's law with all my heart.  But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.  Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?
(from Romans 7)


I don't think I'm far off in saying that sin is my natural instinct the thing that seems to impel me toward sinning.

I am attracted to the coffee grounds of life – even when they're not good for me – even when I know they're harmful.  I just can't help myself…

What a horrible dilemma!

Is there no hope?

Of course not!

"Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord." (from Romans 7) 


Yes, there is Someone who took me to the emergency room.

Someone who shed His blood so I could "recycle" all the bad stuff out – and then gave me a dose of Holy Spirit to deal with all the remnants.

Yeah, I might make some little black footprints here and there – but the threat has been taken care of.

The poison has been removed.  My life is no longer in danger.  

I have been surely rescued.

Now, if I could just learn to keep my snout out of the garbage!


Do you ever feel like a spiritual "split personality"?


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"


10 comments:

  1. W.O.N.D.E.R.F.U.L!!!! Not only did your writing just flat out delight me, but the way you brought it all home to our own instinctive life choices was perfect. You are so right.

    You also used a passage that I find myself quoting (about myself) time and time again. I am most definitely a Peter, but in that passage, I relate to Paul.

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  2. Hi Sharon,

    Great Post and oh yes I do. Have a wonderful Christmas and Blessed New Year.

    Nita x

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  3. Another fantastic analogy Sharon!

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  4. Sharon,
    now this is where I live! I hadn't any idea where you were going-but I love the trip. Your writing is just the unexpected, huh, wait-a-minute voice I LOVE! I am so glad I found you at The Beauty in His Grip. "I'm wondering about the things that impel me to act in certain ways." BAM! and Amen. I'll be thinking about Marty and Pawbucks the next time I arrive at the inevitable crossroads. So glad I came here today.
    Peace and good to you, in Jesus' name.

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  5. You had me laughing... and remembering my own childhood mischief maker (part sheltie, part beagle)... and yes, ahem, I do. :) Great analogies and humor in your writing!

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  6. Poor Marty!! I'll have to remember that about coffee grounds! Thankfully Koda so far is not super adventurous or maybe we just watch him like a hawk or stick him in his crate when we can't watch him.

    I've been the same way as you Sharon, sticking my nose where I shouldn't. I am so glad Jesus does rescue me indeed!

    betty

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  7. Loved this post, friend! Something about that Marty! I think you need a dog- LOL, nah, you already have lizards, snakes and other little pets! Great post!

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  8. Oh my goodness poor Marty. Disco got into chocolate too and ended up with charcoal. I did not know that coffee grounds were bad too. And I bet it cost a pretty penny too. And you are right - God is with us always.

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  9. What an adorable post. The spiritual lesson was so apt. But I have to confess, I was more entranced with the description of your sweet sick little granddog and being woken to pray for him. I have 4, and know that feeling well. One in particular requires extra prayers for similar reasons. Thank you for knowing exactly what I mean. :) And thank you for the "Pawbucks!" Can't wait to share that with this particular granddogs mom! :) Merry Christmas!

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  10. Well, Sharon, this was a great story about Marty. I'm so glad he is doing better~and I'll remember to keep Chip's snout out of the coffee grounds!! We've already had enough emergency trips.
    Marty's story and the way you wove it into an analogy of our own sinful nature was superb! You are a master at doing this Sharon. It encourages me today as I struggle again through my own muck and mire, wondering if I'll ever change! Thanks be to God that He holds the key and has taken care of my problem. Heaven knows I never could.
    Blessings,
    Janis

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)