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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of “A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush” (without using the actual phrase or literal example). (01/10/08)
WALK THE DOG

I like to fool with my dog's mind. He's an old guy but Rocky never seems to catch on. I play games with him every morning and every evening when we go out on our walks. He knows all about walks. We have several acres of land and he has inspected each one of them during his 14 years. Here are some of his favorite games.

THROW THE SQUEAKY TOY: This game involves me picking up his squeaky toy and throwing it a few times. Then he runs and gets it and displaying all the discipline of an escaped convict, will refuse to bring it back to me, while I chase him around yelling "Gimmee That". When he finally drops it I'll pick it up and after about the third time I'll pretend to throw it. He always falls for this amazing display of skill on my part.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL: Often I won't have too much time for our morning outing because I have to go to work to provide ol' "Rocko" with the amount of food that he needs to support his Squeaky Toy caloric output. So I'll step out into the back pasture and sip a cup of coffee and praise God for the beautiful day he has set before me while he (Rocky, not God) answers natures call. After about ten minutes I will command him in a stern voice. "Let's Go Boy" I'll command. This order is immediately obeyed by Rocky running in the opposite direction with me chasing after him and spilling coffee on my freshly pressed shirt which happens to be white. For an old guy he can cover a lot of ground. Rocky absolutely loves this game.

But the best game we play is that while we're on a walk, I'll stop. He'll sit at my feet. Then I'll ask him if he wants to go for a walk. He'll get all excited, see? He's already enjoying a walk!!! He just wants to see what ANOTHER walk would be like.

And I suddenly I realize that I'm like that.

God gives me things and I chase them and refuse to give back.

God gives me freedoms and I misuse them and disobey Him causing Him pain.

He gives me unbelievable blessings and in the midst of all those gifts I look for more.

I don't want to get preachy here. I get it when people want better for themselves. That's a good thing. I just want to always remember that I HAVE the greatest gift.

I am a child of God.

Now if you'll excuse me, it's time to walk the dog.
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This article has been read 1088 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Nathan Perkins
01/17/08
I really enjoyed the story. Knowing what the topic was, I found that I was looking for the connection before you presented it. It was a little bit of a surprise.

Good lesson and it was presented very well.
Debbie Wistrom
01/17/08
By the title i thought this might be about consequences of NOT walking the dog, so i was very pleasantly surprised and impressed with your story.
Nice wrap up. Keep up the good words.
Holly Westefeld
01/17/08
I enjoyed the spiritual applications of your experiences with your dog.
Tim Pickl
01/17/08
Like a good dog, I bow down at Your feet, Lord!
LauraLee Shaw
01/17/08
I'll never think the same of walking my dog again. Creative illustration.
Joanne Sher 
01/18/08
Very clever - I love how you tied the beginning together with the end. Good lesson.
Pam Carlson-Hetland
01/18/08
This was very enjoyable. I, too, was looking for the connection to the topic. But you wrapped it up ever so well at the end. Good job!
Temple Miller
01/19/08
I loved this beautiful meditation.
Loren T. Lowery
01/22/08
A well written, introspective piece. I could easy identify with the allegory.
Marilyn Schnepp 
01/25/08
Great! Wish I'd been a Judge...and you'd see your name in lights! Thought it was interesting, amusing, pensive, on-topic, thoughtful and philisophical (SP?)...but you know what I mean? Something worthwhile to take home with you to think about later. Musings that say something, mean someting, and make a difference. Good job, Pauly! (I wrote about a dog too - but "she" was nothing compared to your Rocky!)