Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Reward (09/27/04)
TITLE: Petinka's Pleasure By Joanne Malley 09/28/04 |
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Her need to perform and be rewarded has overshadowed her love of pleasing me. I’ve been without a personal slipper gofer for quite some time due to her newfound interest in the performing arts!
Little does she know that her obedience to me would bring her greater rewards than doggie treats. I would be a much more loveable master if she focused less on rewards and more on doing what’s expected. Obedience brings great rewards; Jeremiah 7:23, NIV. Luckily for her, canine status excuses her!
In an attempt to show off her newest skills, no prompts are needed for her to grace the spotlight. Without encouragement, she raises herself on her hind legs and prances in a circle of pride. Her loud yapping is the way she gets my attention to watch.
Her expectance of a reward has become a selfish focus. I’m tired of strutting into the kitchen to fetch another canine cookie. She’s the dog; she’s supposed to do the fetching! She’d better reconsider her ways, for I can certainly reward her with time out in the doghouse!
Petinka’s attitude needs an adjustment and I plan to dial the doggie trainer to undo the damage she has done. Miss Clementine was rather snooty herself; I hope she doesn’t get snippy when I ask her what she’s done to my sweet little bundle of fluff!
Like Petinka, we humans need to be cautious about our focus on rewards. Earthy rewards are enticing, but the greatest rewards are intangible and received as a gift; like the eternal salvation God bestows upon us for our genuine faith.
I’m grateful to Petinka for allowing me to see through her misguided focus. Because of her poor behavior, I am reminded to look to God for my spiritual rewards. They are given to me everyday when I count my blessings. No earthly rewards will ever compare.
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“Rrrrrfff, rrrrrfff.”
“Oh, no, there she goes again!” This time she’s playing dead!”
“That’s it! I’m not fetching another treat!”
“Do you think Miss Clementine can teach her to fetch her own rewards too?”