Choosing the Dirt

Maggie the Wonder Dog is funny and smart and a little sassy. Well, sometimes she's a lot sassy, and it's not often to her advantage.

A few days ago, Sam and I were sitting outside, talking and taking a break. We called the dogs, and Mamie came running. She jumped into Sam's lap and settled in for some good snuggling. Sam laughed with delight. He loves to snuggle with Mamie.

I called Maggie again, but she didn't come. "Where is that dog?"

Sam pointed toward the lake. "You ain't gonna like it, but she's rolling around in the dirt."

I followed his finger with my eyes, and he was right. Maggie was under the big pecan tree in a bare area of dirt, rolling around. Well, scrubbing around might be a better description. I could see from our vantage point that she was covered in dust and dirt. 

Sam hollered to Maggie. "She's not gonna let you inside like that. You oughta come now before it gets worse."

Maggie didn't care. She kept rolling.

This may be giving a dog too much credit, but I've often thought that, when Maggie knows a bath is inevitable, she gets as dirty as she can right before it.

Maggie loves the intimacy of snuggling. She loves the comfort of sitting in laps. That day, however, she loved the dirt just a little bit more.

We watched her as she played a while, and I finally said. "She's a lot like some people, don't you think?"

"Yep," Sam agreed. "They sure love the dirt."

Sam's right. Maggie could've had snuggles and laps and back scratches and belly rubs. She could've had all the good things that go with obedience. Instead, she chose the isolation and dirt of disobedience.

I think there are times when we're a lot like her, especially when we've already been disobedient. Somehow, despite the sweet intimacy that comes from repentance, we prefer the isolation of further sin just a little bit more. I do that sometimes, and maybe you do, too.

It's never worth it.

This world is a cold and lonely place when we're separated from our Lord. There's no momentary comfort that's worth the isolation sin brings. So, let's get up out of the dirt we're rolling in, whether that be pride, anger, unforgiveness, lust, or greed. We all have our favorite "flavor" of sin, but no matter what it is, it separates us from God. 

Let's stop piling sin upon sin and come back to our Father. The only thing better than the clean feeling of forgiveness is the sweet intimacy of right standing with our Lord. 

One of the last things Jesus said was, "Father, forgive them. They don't know what they're doing." He was right. 

If we understood what our sin cost, maybe we'd choose better. We won't understand, this side of heaven, the full price of sin, but we do know it breaks fellowship with God. That's enough of an understanding for me. 

So today, let's start with, "Father, forgive me..." and let the sweet times of forgiveness and restoration begin.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God... restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit." Psalm 51:10,12 nasb

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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: The Sam Trail

And here's the link to the featured post: Saving America

#repent #disciple #Jesus #MaggietheWonderDog