This word is submitted by Colleen Vickers [dvickers@cfl.rr.com]

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                        Be Obedient

I was looking at my dog today and feeling quite sorry for him. Let me
tell you why. We inherited Shadow from my son when he was three years 
old. He is five now. He is a great dog: smart, loving always ready to 
play. He does have this one problem, however--he doesn't come when you 
call him. He will come to the car to go for a ride because he likes to 
ride in cars, but that is the only way to get him to come if he is outside
and has gotten loose.

I decided to take a chance and see if I could teach him to come by
giving him some freedom and carrying lots of dog biscuits with me. I
took him to the woods behind my house and showed him my stash of dog
biscuits. I gave him one biscuit and then I let him off his leash. This
dog can run very fast. He loves to run and it made me happy to see him
enjoying this freedom. Around and around he went. He would even come
near to me as I whistled to him and walked along. He would come near,
but he would never actually come to me! He eventually ran off altogether
and I heard him barking up a storm at our neighbor's dogs down the
street. It sounded like a war was about to take place.

I had a choice. I could follow with the leash through the underbrush or
go get my car. I got my car and drove around the block to where he was
barking and growling at dogs behind a fence. I opened the car door
and in he jumped! God is good! I was very grateful that Shadow liked to
ride in cars and I did not have to chase him down, because I don't think 
I could have. (As I said, this dog can run very, very fast!)

The walk in the woods was not a success. That is why I was petting
Shadow and feeling sorry for him, because if he did not learn how to
come when called, he would never know the freedom and joy of running the
way he loved to run. He would spend his days on the end of a leash or
on the dog run. I wanted to give him more freedom, but it would not be
wisdom to do so and it would not be safe for him. So I was looking at
my dog and feeling sorry for him because I really enjoyed watching him
run and enjoy the woods...Then the Lord spoke to my heart.

"If you will not be obedient to Me, I can not give you the things that
I want to give you. They are things that would delight your heart to
receive, and it would also delight my heart to give them to you, because
I am a good Father who desires to bless you. I can not give them to you
because you don't come when I call; therefore, you will never know true
freedom or receive the many gifts I have for you."

I was overwhelmed with sorrow to think that My Daddy needs to keep me
on a leash because I don't come when He calls me. How many times has
my Dad spoken to my heart and told me to be still, but I have continued
to speak or do that which was not pleasing to Him. How many times has
He had to yank my leash and humble me because I did not come when He
called? To think that my Father stands ready with good plans for my
life--but instead of being able to give me the keys to the car, He must
put the car in the garage.

How many times have we grieved our Dad? Too many! But our hope is in
Jesus, and He does not disappoint! He gave us His Spirit and by His 
Spirit we can become good and obedient children, running to our Dad when 
He calls. We can become like little children by the power of His Spirit
and the grace He has poured out upon us. Obedience to our Father brings
life and freedom and blessings beyond our deepest desires. For He has
good plans for us, if we will only trust and obey. For greater is
obedience than sacrifice, says the Lord our God!

As for Shadow, I am not going to give up on him any more than my Dad
has given up on me. I'll keep working with him and training him; and
some day when I call, he will come. It will be a very happy day at our
house!

May there be joy in the house of the Lord as we learn to obey our
Daddy's voice. May we come when He calls, stop when He says stop, and
may we go as He told us to. May we trust Him as little children,
walking with our hand in His.