No More People Food
She still wags her tail and sits attentively while we eat, but she doesn’t get any “people food” anymore. She never did get very much, but what she did get, she enjoyed immensely. “No more”, doctor’s orders! Our five-year-old dog, Coco, has seizures. Until recently they were months apart, now they were becoming more frequent and more severe. Hopefully with medication and the elimination of all “people food” her seizures can be controlled.
The other day while scraping the table scraps into the trash, I CONSIDERED how there is no easy way I could communicate to Coco why I was not giving her this food. There was no way I could explain to those watching sad eyes that this was for her own good. I also CONSIDERED how this is true between us and God. Things happen or perhaps don’t happen, as we ask, “Why?” To us it seems so clear; this is the best, and yet it doesn’t happen. We become disappointed, disillusioned, and even angry with God for not giving us what we perceive to be the best for us. How do we solve this dilemma?
Perhaps God cannot communicate with us while he withholds something from us, just as I cannot communicate with Coco why I am withholding the food she enjoys. It may be that it is beyond our human understanding or maybe we are not mature enough.
Coco still lies at my feet. She follows me wherever I go. Her attitude towards me has not changed. She still barks, wags her tail and jumps on me when I come home. She is still my best doggie friend. May this also be said of us. May our trust in God remain strong (especially when we do not understand); may we also continue to be the best of friends with Jesus; and always remember that God only wills the best for you and me.
‘“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him?” said Jesus. (Matthew 7:9-11)
