Thought for the Week-The Grace of Squirrels

Good Morning, Girlfriends!!

I've come to realize that through most of these Thoughts, I've been able to introduce y'all to each individual member of my family.  You've met my husband, my kiddos, my sisters and at some point in time even my in-laws.  But, I'm not sure that I've ever properly introduced you to my dog, Grace.  Grace is a six year old Golden Retriever.  She is a fabulous dog.  She is sweet, loving, calm and laid-back.  Nothing seems to rile her or get her all wound up...except two things: lizards and squirrels.  When she spots either one of those creatures all other sights and sounds no longer exist.  Her eyes and ears become trained on her "prey".  She can sit for hours upon hours, never moving (except for the constant and steady stream of drool coming from the corners of her mouth) while she sits watching and waiting for the optimum moment to strike.  Our backyard supplies her with an endless bank of lizards.  Last weekend we went camping at Lake Livingston State Park where her attention was trained on ONE squirrel for almost the entirety of our trip.  This squirrel taunted and teased her, coming just out of range, and then scampering up another tree, so Grace could not reach it.  For all intents and purposes, this silly squirrel acted more effectively than a leash; Grace did not move.  My mind began circle:

What has MY attention?  What has YOUR attention?  What in our lives, so consumes us that we see nothing else?  Naturally, it's time to travel to the Book, and my favorite place to nestle down, is the Old Testament.  Let me ask you another question: Are you familiar with the Ten Commandments?  No, I'm not asking you to recite them word for word.  This is not a pop quiz.  But have you heard of them?  The Ten Commandments are God's way of reminding His people of the boundaries by which they should operate.  They are our rules.  I know, I know...rules...who needs rules?  We do.  Our kids do.  Our communities do.  Our world does.  For instance, if you're at a four-way stop sign and nobody stops, how well do you think your car (and everyone else's) is going to come out?  Rules help us lead more productive lives.  They keep us safe.  Go with me to Deuteronomy 6:1, 2, & 3 "These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you, ...your children and their children...so that you may enjoy long life.  Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you..." The Ten Commandments had been handed down in Deuteronomy chapter 5.  Moses then instructed the entire assembly of Israel to "Love the LORD your God with all heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."  "Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."  Deuteronomy 6:7-9

Can you see how important God thought His Ten Commandments were/are?  He wanted His people to constantly have them on their minds.  To always be thinking about them...to pass them down through the generations so as not to forget the importance of them.  They were/are to be all consuming, to permeate each and every aspect of their/our lives.  So, how's that working out for you?  Yeah, I'm not doing so hot either.  But, that's the awesome power of the Cross, Jesus covers our inability to be perfect by His perfect achievement on the Cross.  We couldn't EVER be perfect.  But Jesus was.  And He is.  And it's through Him, that we have the hope to keep going...to keep trying...  So, over the weekend think about your focus.  Turn your eyes upon Jesus...have a great weekend!!

"O soul are you weary and troubled, no light in the darkness you see?  There's light for a look at the Savior, and life more abundant and free...

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace..."  From the hymn Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

For a refresher course on the Ten Commandments, please go to www.gofishguys.com  Look for the 10 Commandment Boogie  You'll NEVER forget them again!!  For all you GO FISH groupies out there...there's a NEW CD coming....right up my alley...Old School Gospel...Oh, somebody say AMEN!!

Comments

[ML]

Amen! Also, I would love to be a fill in Baby sitter for Grace should the Hickford's not be available. I love that dog!