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| Butterflies, Battles, and Bay |
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I have had Bay down on the beach quite a few times lately. He is getting stronger and can swim a lot longer. He loves going to the beach and once we get there, he never wants to leave. I guess I  am really fortunate to have a beach where we seldom see other people, seldom have to be concerned about distractions, and within just a few minutes walk from the house.
Recently I started alternating his training a bit. In the center portion of the beach there is a sand bar that goes from the shore directly out for a good 50 feet or so depending on the tide. It is almost always covered with water just deep enough to come to Bay's belly. Lately, I have been alternating between the deep retrieves where he has to swim and the shallow retrieves where he can run through the water.
I have to admit there is something gracefully peaceful about a retriever swimming in the water. Quite, smooth, sliding through the water with only the head above. Tonight I was with my oldest son. I let him work with Bay and they worked together very well. I stood in the back and watched the blues, reds, and greens color the water as the sun was starting to set. Beautiful. Peaceful. A true reflection of our Creator.
On the deep retrieves Bay does very well. He swims to the toy, puts it in his mouth, then swims in a circle looking for me. I clap my hands real loudly and call his name. He gets a bead on me, swims to the shoreline, I point to my feet and he drops the toy at my feet. He is breathing hard. It is very hard work to swim this distance and bring the toy to me. He pants while looking at me with inquisitive eyes wondering if I am going to throw it again. He can retrieve far more than my arm can throw.
With the shallow retrieves, though, I noticed something different. He runs to the toy and goes through the same routine of spotting me and starts coming back to the shoreline. However, about half way there he starts playing in the water. In some cases he totally forgets what he is doing. A few times I can encourage him to bring the retrieving toy in to the shore. However, after a couple of times, I have to discipline him or he won't finish the retrieve.
While my son worked with Bay, I stood back and pondered why Bay does this. I started wondering if we are any different. Let's face it. When times are tough and we are stretched to our limit, we keep ourselves focused on the prize set before us. We press on and press on and we get through it. Leaning always on the Savior of our souls and giving Him credit the whole way through. However, when life isn't quite so hard, do we do the same? Or are we more apt to stop and play along the way even losing track of where God was taking us in the first place. We get encouragement from those around us and sometimes that helps. Sometimes it isn't enough, though, and God has to discipline us. We don't understand why things "don't go right", but they don't....until we come back to the shoreline and drop everything at His feet.
1:2 Let it be all joy to you, my brothers, when you undergo tests of every sort; 1:3 Because you have the knowledge that the testing of your faith gives you the power of going on in hope; 1:4 But let this power have its full effect, so that you may be made complete, needing nothing.
Yes, I think I learned a lesson today with Bay. The everyday battles are my friends because they help me keep my focus on the Prize set before me. Battles force me to keep my eyes on Him. Sure, I get tired. We all do. We all like a little play time, too. I just won't start complaining next time I get a little discipline because I know it is for my own good. I need the discipline in order to make it though the deeper rougher times. This all brought to mind an old Steve Camp song. One I use to sing over and over again and again. The title is "He Covers Me". The chorus goes like this:
I know someday I will be free
The weight of sin shall be released
But for now He covers me
And though the trials never end
I’ve learned to take them as my friend
For each day He covers me.
How true it is. I have learned to take those trials as friends because they keep me focused and drow me to the feet of my Master.
My son just finished his five-retrieve set with Bay and they head over to the log where I am sitting. Bay runs right past me and into a whole bunch of butterflies (what does one call them - a flock?).There must be over a hundred butterflies in a small area along the beach. There are two different kinds. One set is a monarch. The other has the same colors, but more rounded wings.  Bay doesn't bite at them, but he does bark at them. They don't seem to mind him too much. I watch in awe as the beauty of the sunset is reflected in the many butterflies before me.
We head home. All three of us worn out. I have been given another lesson from God. We walk silently. I think on the lesson I have learned. My son and the dog walk ahead of me slightly. Both growing. Both learning. Both walking and becoming more like their Master. As the sun sets, it finishes another day.
Another day. A man, his dog, and his God. |
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Kathy |
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October 14, 2007 at 7:40pm |
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| Yet another star-worthy Bay story with a great truth! I too tend to become more complacent when my feet are touching solid ground. Thanks, Voice! Keep the stories coming! |
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Thanks Voice; You know before a butterfly breaks free of his (or her) cocoon. The struggle is what makes his wings strong enough to fly. If someone were to try and help the butterfly get free, the butterfly would end up on the ground unable to fly. It would surely die. It is the struggle that makes it strong enough to fly.
Just more useless information from the kid. On a more serious note the Red Sox and the Indians are tied at 1 game each.
Dave |
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| PS Dexter is quick becoming a big fan of Bays right up there with Rin tin tin, and Goliath of Davy and Goliath fame. OK dexter knows Goliath is a puppet. |
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Kathy, thanks for your words of encouragement.
Dave, I don't think that is totally useless information at all. You tied the end back to the center of the story...something I didn't know how to do. Just tells me that God is working in it all. Thanks! |
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