Charisa Stories

Category: Uncategorized

  • The Games People Still Play

    The Games People Still Play

    A song by Joe South reflected my teenage disdain for those in power who seemed to not care a whit about the regular folk. I check the comments of young people today and I realize that not much, if anything, has changed since this song was recorded in the turbulent late 60’s.

    “The Games People Play” was recorded by Joe South and here are the first two stanzas.

    Oh the games people play now
    Every night and every day now
    Never meaning what they say now
    Never saying what they mean

    And they wile away the hours
    In their ivory towers
    Till they’re covered up with flowers
    In the back of a black limousine

    I have to admit that a bit of the anger and power of the protest was diminished with this hard-hitting chorus.

    La-da da da da da da da
    La-da da da da da de
    Talking ’bout you and me
    And the games people play

    Hard to gin up a lot of “in your face” intensity and passion when you are singing “la-da-da-da-da-da-da”.

    My frustration with the hypocrisy I saw in my church was fueled by this lyric.

    People walking up to you
    Singing glory hallelulia
    And they’re tryin to sock it to you
    In the name of the Lord

    We thought we could change the world by promoting love, hope and peace.  I see the same anger directed at my generation (pretty much deserved) that we felt toward my parent’s. I read how this generation is going to change things by promoting love, hope and peace. Can you say full circle?

    We thought that hope would be realized with the right political party. We believed that change would come because of kindred politicians or better laws or courts that would establish justice as we saw it. We thought that the right leader would make sure that we educated every child no matter their circumstance. We hoped that this political savior would provide for the needs of every person. We were wrong by placing that hope on the government without putting responsibility on ourselves.

    So many people are placing their hope for happiness on political candidates and parties. I do believe that leaders make a difference. I care deeply about making an informed and prayerful choice. But I never place my hope or desire for change on a politician. The word hope is used about 80 times in the New Testament. The first appearance of the word in the NIV translation pretty much lays out my belief.

    “In his name (Jesus) the nations will put their hope.” (Matthew 12:21, NIV)

    Paul wrote about the hope that I have in his letter to the Romans.

    I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13, NIV)

    The second chorus of South’s tune has a real pearl of wisdom.

    God grant me the serenity
    To remember who I am

    That is what I have learned since I was the frustrated and all-knowing young man hellbent on changing the establishment. I remember who I am. I am a follower of Jesus. A child of God. A servant who is humbled by His amazing grace.

    I will be shocked if our leaders in Washington decide to work together for us and tone down the rhetoric. My peace lies in the belief that I have hope that is real. I have peace that transcends circumstance. Because of those truths I can deal with the rest of the news. I believe that no matter what happens in Washington in the coming months and years I am convinced that the following statement is true.

    God is in control. And that is where my hope rests today.

  • Do We Make Faith Too Complicated?

    Do We Make Faith Too Complicated?

    Sports fans might have heard TV analysts noting that a young athlete is struggling on the football field because the game is too fast and furious for them to react correctly. They say that when the game “slows down” that player will be much more effective. That means the athlete will learn what matters, what to react to, how not to get faked out, and how to respond properly in each situation.

    I think that is what is happening for me after all of these years. My once frenetic efforts to be a “good Christian” are slowing down. I think I am learning more about what matters, what to react to, how not to get faked out by Satan, and how to respond in grace.

    A great way to get some less than grace filled responses is to quote an R-rated movie. So here goes.

    “Nook” LaLoosh (from Bull Durham): “A good friend of mine used to say, “This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains. Think about that for a while.”

    Yeah! Think about that for awhile!

    In many ways Christianity is a very simple faith that we have made incredibly legalistic and difficult. To paraphrase the line above. “You love the Lord your God. You love your neighbor. Sometimes it is easy. sometimes it is hard. Sometimes life rains on you.”

    Why do I want to make it so maddeningly complex? A classic song by Chris Tomlin has one of the secrets that helped the game “slow down” for me. The lyrics from “I Will Follow” help make this journey a little more simple.

    All your ways are good
    All your ways are sure
    I will trust in you alone
    Higher than my side
    High above my life
    I will trust in you alone

    Where you go, I’ll go
    Where you stay, I’ll stay
    When you move, I’ll move
    I will follow you
    Who you love, I’ll love
    How you serve I’ll serve
    If this life I lose, I will follow you
    I will follow you

    I will follow you

    Hmmmm. Maybe if I give up my need to figure everything out and sound smart I will actually be more effective. Maybe if I just follow Him I will learn to naturally do all the things I have been struggling so hard to do. There seems to be some precedent for this concept of simply following Jesus. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19, NIV

    • But Jesus told him, “Follow me“….   Matthew 8:22, NIV
    • “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9, NIV
    • “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”  Matthew 16:24, NIV
    • “Then come, follow me.”   Matthew 19:21, NIV
    • Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”   John 1:43, NIV
    • “Whoever serves me must follow me;”   John 12:26, NIV
    • Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”   John 21:22, NIV

    In the immortal words of Forrest Gump…”I’m not a smart man”. But like Forrest I have a keen sense of the obvious. I have surmised (brilliantly) that Jesus wants me to follow Him. The rest of it we will figure out together.

  • Feeling Like A Nobody Just Might Be A Sign of Growth

    Feeling Like A Nobody Just Might Be A Sign of Growth

    My life odometer keeps adding mileage. No matter how hard I try I cannot roll it back. Part of acquiring higher mileage is getting some hard earned perspective on your life decisions. Some of my decisions were good. Some benign. Some not so good. Some truly regretful.

    That is life.

    The encouragement I have discovered is that even the really bad decisions can be redeemed by the grace of God. D.L.Moody was one of the greatest communicators of the Gospel in church history and a great Christian university bears his name. One of my favorite Moody quotes is about the learning curve of Moses. Moses ended up having a fairly decent impact for God.

    “Moses spent 40 years thinking he was somebody; 40 years learning he was nobody; and 40 years discovering what God can do with a nobody.”

    I have to adjust the numbers for my life. I spent 40 years thinking I was somebody. Twenty years learning I was nobody apart from the grace of God. I now am looking at (fill in the blank someday) years praying and seeking to see what God can do with a nobody.

    This is not about groveling in self-loathing. Far from it. It is simply acknowledging the liberating recognition of my dependence and need for God.

    All of us have a purpose. Here is an excerpt from my book Stay about purpose. The book chronicles the spiritual lessons I learned from a couple of rescued dogs. My canine friend Hannah understood who she was and lived out of that identity every day.

    Hannah was predestined to swim, run, and retrieve. That is the destiny of any retriever. Hannah does not try to be anything else. Even as a puppy, she chased anything we tossed her way and eagerly brought it back. We did not have to spend one minute training her. It was as natural as breathing for Hannah. Retrieving was her purpose and passion.

    That was the lesson for today from my four-legged mentor. I have also been created with a purpose. In fact, every person has a God-designed destiny whether they believe it or not. Henri Nouwen wrote about living with that frame of mind.”We seldom realize fully that we are sent to fulfill God-given tasks. . . .We act as if we were simply dropped down in creation and have to decide how to entertain ourselves until we die. But we were sent into the world by God, just as Jesus was. Once we start living our lives with that conviction, we will soon know what we were sent to do.”

    Living out of who you are is liberating. The apostle Paul had some thoughts about such a life when he wrote to the church at Ephesus.

    God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:8-10, NLT)

    Think about that! You were rescued from the death of sin by grace. It was a gift that could not be earned. And you are a new creation, indeed a masterpiece for whom good things were planned from the beginning of time. How can followers of Jesus possibly have self-image issues? When we believe the lies.

    Taken from Stay by Dave Burchett copyright © 2015

    Don’t believe the lies. The irony of God’s plan is that we become important when we quit thinking we are important. God can do amazing things with nobody’s who are trusting and willing.

    Read the first chapter of Stay:Lessons My Dogs Taught Me about Life, Loss, and Grace by clicking this link.

  • Reviewing Your Jesus Contract

    Reviewing Your Jesus Contract

    When Joni and I purchased a new house we visited the title company to sign the official documents. The person from the title company relentlessly pushed papers in front of us along with a brief description of what we were signing. My memory may not be exact but it was something like this.

    This one says that the builder is transferring the deed to you. And this one says that you have paid the taxes that you owe to Caesar. This one says that you agree to let the HOA control everything you think and do. This one says that you are paying us random fees that you have no idea what they are or why they are needed but you have no choice. This one says a lawyer gets a lot of money for cut and pasting into a standard document. It was a mind-numbing process and by the end I probably would have signed anything put in front of me.

    Title Company: “This one says you will give us a kidney if we ask you.” 
    Me: “Okay…Where do I sign?”

    Seriously, we had carefully looked over the papers beforehand because we wanted to understand the significance of each document. 

    Later I wondering how a process like this could work when we decide to enter into a relationship with Jesus. What if we sat across from Jesus and signed off on everything He offered for our salvation? Would it help us to comprehend the amazing number of spiritual transactions that took place when Jesus became our substitute on the Cross? What would that closing appointment look like? 

    I imagined sitting down across from Jesus to close the deal. His smile was welcoming and kind as he arranged the papers on the table.

    Jesus: I am rejoicing that you have decided to follow Me. Let’s start with this document. This is the Forgiveness contract. In this one all of your sins are forgiven. Past, present, and future. God the Father will remember them no more. Let me paraphrase how my servant Paul put it to the Roman believers.

    Romans 8:1- So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Me.

    Do you accept this offer?

    Me: Absolutely!

    Jesus: Next are the Adoption Papers. These say that you are now a child of God. You are no longer separated from the Father. Paul told the Galatians we are all children of God through faith. (Galatians 3:26) Just sign right here and know that now you are His beloved child. Trust me, that is a wonderful position to be in. 

    The next document is the Eternal Warranty. This says that I guarantee my work on the Cross forever. There is nothing Satan can do to change this agreement. I remember when I said this to John and he wrote it in His Gospel account.

    I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. (John 10:28-29)

    This can never be voided. You understand that I am guaranteeing this and you have to do nothing to keep it in place? 

    Me: I do. This is amazing.

    Jesus: Sign here and I will tell you about our kingdom HOA agreement. It is a little different from your earthly version. It says here you have a home in Heaven and that you are part of the worldwide community of believers. That all of my followers will live together in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Paul explained it to the Corinthian Church…

    For by one spirit we were all baptized into one body-whether Jews of Greeks, whether slaves or free-and have all been made to drink into one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13)

     The next thing we need to look at is the Name Change document.

    This one says you will have a new title. You are still Dave but you will be DBA (doing business as) with a new name. Saint. That’s right. All of my followers are saints because of their relationship with me. 

    Let’s talk about Dwelling Rights next. This document says the Holy Spirit will come to dwell in you. This is such good deal because the Spirit seals you and guides you every moment. You have the presence of God in you by simply agreeing with this truth. After you initial and sign that we will look at the Identity Protection contract.

    This document says that you have a brand new identity and it cannot be taken away or hacked. It says that today you are spiritually regenerated as a result of the Holy Spirit and the power of the Gospel message that my Father gave to you through my life, death, and resurrection. Paul put in this way.

    This means that anyone who belongs to (Me) has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Cor. 5:17)

    You doing okay? You look a little overwhelmed. Let’s look at the Inheritance Clause. By agreeing to follow Me today you are now entitled to everything that the Father promises to Me. I know. That is amazing. There may be some trials along the way but it will be so worth it. Read what was written to the Roman Church.

    And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. (Romans 8:17)

    The next document says you don’t need to add anything else to complete this agreement. My sometimes impetuous child Peter said it very well.

    By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. (2 Peter 1:3) 

    Everything is being given to you at this moment and it further states that you are complete and lacking nothing. You have power over Satan and you don’t need to be a slave to sin. But never forget where that power comes from. You can’t do it without Me.

    Any questions?

    Me: This is unbelievable. Surely I have to bring something to the table to complete this deal?

    Jesus: Did you bring your sin?

    Me: Yes. Lots of it.

    Jesus: Do you recognize that you are separated from God by that sin and need a Savior to be reconciled and made right with Him?

    Me: Definitely

    Jesus: Do you believe that I took on your sin, went to the Cross, was killed, buried and rose again on the 3rd day? Do you believe I am the way, the truth, and the life

    Me: I do believe.

    Jesus: Then you are paid in full. The contract is in effect and cannot be voided. 

    Me: Your grace is incomprehensible. 

    Jesus smiles and stands up. He moves toward me and embraces me.

    Jesus: There is one more thing I need to say. Welcome to the Family!

  • 2 Easy Ways You Can Be A Light In This Dark World

    2 Easy Ways You Can Be A Light In This Dark World

    A recent behavioral study reinforced something I have emphasized in my own journey. The power of simply reaching out and checking in with others is stunningly underrated as a way to love one another.

    An article in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology detailed how people react when others reach out to them. The authors seemed a bit surprised by their results.

    We kept finding that people underestimated how much their reach-outs were appreciated. We also found that one reason this underestimation of appreciation occurs is that people do not think enough about how positively surprised others feel upon being reached out to. The role of surprise is important. We found that the one situation in which people do not underestimate how much others appreciate being reached out is when the reach-out occurs in an unsurprising context. For example, if someone is expecting you to reach-out to them, then you are pretty well calibrated to how much they will actually appreciate you reaching out to them. Thus, it’s really these unexpected reach-outs that people appreciate much more than we expect.

    Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, July 2022, American Psychological Association (APA)

    The pandemic made this simple gesture even more critical for our emotional and spiritual health. Relationships suffered as isolation became the sad new normal. Friends parted over disagreements about proper Covid protocol and politics. I have seen long time relationships shattered over these issues.

    When I realize how frustrated I get over selfish and immature behavior by believers it magnifies the incomprehensible amount of grace and patience that God grants us every single day. He never gives up on His Children.

    I saw people who had been loved and nurtured in a church community for years leave over mask disputes. Are you kidding me? Maybe reading, rereading, and then rereading one more time these words from Paul would be a starting point before leaving a community of believers over politics.

    Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! (Romans 12:9-16, NLT)

    So how can we be a light in this increasingly damaged and dark culture? I rarely use Diana Ross lyrics as a spiritual behavior launching point but these words are powerful and needed.

    Reach out and touch
    Somebody’s hand
    Make this world a better place
    If you can
    (Just try)
    Take a little time out of your busy day
    To give encouragement

    I have made it a priority when someone comes to mind to let them know I am thinking about them. I reach out to them by texting or calling to let them know they are on my heart and I am praying for them. I have realized as a Christian that people coming to mind is usually not random. They are planted in my heart by the Spirit. It is remarkable how many times that person will respond with a comment like this.

    “Wow. I can’t believe you reached out at this moment. I really needed that encouragement right now.”

    I makes me wonder how many of those moments I have missed when I was all wrapped up in me. When someone comes to mind consider it a potentially sacred moment to encourage that person.

    When someone comes to mind let them know. Encourage them. Reach out with a word of affirmation and a promise of prayer. The other thing I am realizing more and more is that followers of Jesus have something that is in desperately short supply in this culture. I have a lot of friends who don’t share my faith who are kind. Many are loving (at least to those they agree with).

    But there is one word that seems to be missing for most of my friends who don’t have faith in God.

    Hope.

    Why is that word so important? Just a few reasons why.

    Washington D.C. is a train wreck? I will do my part to be a concerned citizen but my hope is in God for my future.

    Our country is increasingly more dangerous? I will be smart but my hope is in God for my protection.

    The economy is volatile? My hope is in my God who always provides.

    Concerned about the cultural influences on family and friends? My hope is in God to help me create an environment of grace, truth, and love that will encourage honest conversations about the things that truly matter.

    I have great hope as I write this and I want to share that hope with others.

    Let’s review the 2 easy ways to be a light.

    1. Reach out and let others know you care.
    2. Share the hope that you have in Christ.

    You don’t have to be a theologian or a brilliant apologist to do those two simple things. You just have to care about and love others.

  • Maybe I Should Spend More Time in the Owner’s Manual

    Maybe I Should Spend More Time in the Owner’s Manual

    The helpful bit of information below actually appears in a Nissan owner’s manual.

    Do not fold down the rear seats when occupants are in the rear seat area.
    (2012 Nissan Juke Owner’s Manual)

    We laugh but the sad possibility is that this actually happened or some lawyers proactively decided to cover their own rear seat area. A 2009 SAAB manual selfishly suggests “only one person per safety belt”. Mercedes Benz helpfully suggested in 2012 that the driver should “not switch off the ignition while driving” because some features would not work. You can’t make this stuff up.

    I have never read the owner’s manual of any of the vehicles I have owned from cover to cover. I know that is highly offensive to some. But for some reason I never have the time or concentration to find out how my car can operate more efficiently and trouble free for a longer period of time. Why should I do that?

    The same principles apply to the owner’s manual that we call the Bible. If this is God’s revelation to us wouldn’t it make sense that the Bible contains insight to operate more efficiently and trouble free? The growing cultural trend is to dismiss or marginalize the Bible. We look to find something archaic or culturally offensive to rant about instead of investigating the truth claims of Scripture. We get offended by a passage and dismiss much if not all of what the Bible proclaims.

    We are quick to find ways that unloving and graceless applications of Bible texts have done harm while dismissing the incredible positive impact this same book has had on history. Commandments against murder, stealing and lying are the basis of our legal system. The teachings of Jesus completely changed the status of women and children. Biblical stories and characters flow throughout great literature and art. Much of the true humanitarian work in medicine was born out of Biblical conviction. But the Enemy directs our focus to something that offends us in some way.

    Author/Pastor Tim Keller thoughtfully says this about the Bible.

    If the Bible really was the revelation of God, and therefore it wasn’t the product of any one culture, wouldn’t it contradict every culture at some point? Therefore, if it’s really from God, wouldn’t it have to offend your cultural sensibilities at some point?

    Tim Keller

    Yep.

    If the Bible is the revelation of God then it follows that this volume contains insights into our spiritual and emotional DNA that only the designer can fully explain. An engineer can look at a design problem and provide a solution. He or she designed it so they know where the problem exists. If we are designed in the image of God only He can truly understand the complexities of our operating system.

    I have found that no volume addresses the perplexing questions of life as completely as the Bible. Quit worrying about the Levitical laws for a moment and some cultural contexts that are different from today. You will find a story that does not sugarcoat the failings of the most revered Biblical figures. You will find honest explorations of evil, suffering and pain. You will find the basis for true justice for the poor and oppressed that we still seek today. You will find the principles for success in marriage, parenting, work, leadership and friendship. You will find hope for the future. You will find salvation that requires nothing to be sacrificed other than your unwillingness to confess your need for a Savior.

    N.T. Wright is one of the truly brilliant Christian thinkers of our generation. He is saddened by how we marginalize this amazing volume.

    “In the same way many Christians–whole generations of them, sometimes entire denominations–have in their possession a book which will do a thousand things not only in and for them but through them in the world. And they use it to sustain only three or four things they already do.

    NT Wright, (Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense)

    We have a strange relationship with the Bible. American Christians like to talk about the importance of God’s Word in culture and schools and government but we don’t know it (or more importantly don’t live it) ourselves. We shake our heads when we read that one in ten people think Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife. But most of us would not fare too well if quizzed on our own Biblical literacy.

    I have found this volume holds a power unlike any book I have encountered. Do I struggle with some of it? Of course. But I can read a passage that I have read countless times before and without warning find my heart pierced by a truth that changes my current situation if not my very life. Part of my own journey to reconnect with God and others and disconnect from anxiousness is to intentionally spend daily contemplative time in the Bible. Relaxed. Reading one verse or five chapters. Digging out truths of theology or enjoying stories of flawed humans like me being used in God’s grand purpose. Sitting down with this book, a cup of coffee, an open heart and an attitude of expectation is remarkably filling. I used to read with a performance goal in mind. I need to read the Bible in a year. I need to finish this study. Now I read with only the expectation that God will meet me there and direct our time together. That is one more step in Waking Up Slowly to God and being present in the moment.

    Quotes from comedian George Carlin don’t find themselves into a lot of Christian writings but this quip is worthy. “I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as they get older; then it dawned on me – they’re cramming for their final exam.” There is some validity to that since my final exam date may soon be on the docket. That sentiment of cramming to try and measure up reflects my early church upbringing that salvation is primarily to avoid Hell. My journey since I discovered grace has been dramatically different. Now Scripture sharpens, softens, refines, redeems, corrects, inspires and comforts me.

    Here is today’s grace assignment. Sit down with Jesus and God’s Word. This is not about studying or accomplishing. This is about relationship. Reading a Gospel parable, a Psalm or an encouragement from the Word. Read, relax and enjoy hanging out with your Abba Father. He knows you like no one else does.

    Excerpt from Waking Up Slowly…a 21 day journey to connect more closely with God and one another.

  • Sanctification Insights from a Dog

    Sanctification Insights from a Dog

    Our canine friend Maggie recently sought us out while dog sitting a rambunctious young pup. Maggie had played some with the younger dog, patiently endured the persistent attempts to play more, and now was urging us to help her find personal space. We chuckled and Joni remarked about what a good and easy dog Maggie is to care for.

    Later I reflected on that comment. That was far from the case when we rescued Maggie from unknown circumstances nearly a decade ago. I reviewed her story from my book Stay. Here is what I wrote about our initial experience with Maggie.

    For the first two weeks Maggie was pretty well behaved. But now she is showing some decidedly less attractive sides to her personality. She is independent. She is stubborn. She is affectionate only when she wants to be affectionate. She acts out on occasion. She chews things that are not approved for that activity. I am finding out that a “honeymoon” period is pretty common for rescue dogs. That was not mentioned in the brochure. Now that the honeymoon is over, I guess we get down to the challenge of making this relationship work.

    I wish we knew more of Maggie’s backstory. We found out from the veterinarian’s report that Maggie had a fresh gash on her leg when she was rescued near Van Alstyne, Texas. The exam showed that she was visibly undernourished and tested positive for hookworms. Everything else was a mystery. Was she wanted and ran away? Was she unwanted and abandoned to fend for herself? Was she treated poorly? Had she been socialized with other animals and people? The details of her story—who, what, where, when, why—surely have influenced her behavior.

    Maggie’s biggest issue has been trust. I certainly get that. She was captured, kenneled, and then fostered. If I had been bounced around as a child, I would have trust issues. Oh wait—I didn’t experience any of that, and I still have trust issues.

    Of course, Maggie isn’t a unique case. Many rescued dogs suffer from behavioral baggage. Some have severe separation anxiety that may have started when the pups were taken from their mother too early. If a dog has fended for itself, it can become dangerously territorial over food and possessions. When a dog flinches or cowers at the gentlest human touch, it breaks my heart. 

    Each day, I tried to read Maggie’s expressions and body language. Did she think we were just one more way station on her sad journey? She seemed appreciative of everything we gave her, yet she was still wary. Her personality was friendly at times, but then she’d become withdrawn and want to hide. She would accept affection but she rarely initiated it. The message she was sending was “It’s okay. I can make it on my own.”

    Stay: Lesssons My Dogs Taught Me about Life, Loss, and Grace

    Those memories reminded me of my own journey. I came to Jesus with baggage. I wasn’t abandoned but I certainly needed Him to rescue me from my own selfish desires and stubborn insistence that I could “do it on my own”.

    I thought about my experience with Maggie and compared it with how Jesus could report His experience with me.

    Both of us could be frustratingly inconsistent in our obedience. We shared a penchant to react impulsively to certain stimuli instead of calming evaluating our next step. We both chose to be selective with our affection and caring for others.

    Now I look at Maggie and I see how she has matured. She has learned to trust us and knows we will take care of her. The only time she shows any anxiety now is when we are packing a suitcase and she knows her caretakers might be absent. That must be hard for a dog because they don’t have a calendar to know when or even if we are coming back.

    Again, I compared that to my journey with Jesus. When I slow down long enough to reflect I can see how I have matured over the years. I have learned to trust Him. My obedience is no longer begrudging compliance but comes out of gratitude for the gift of grace and mercy I receive every day.

    I can see how many areas of growth I have experienced. Satan wants me to focus on the areas that still need refining and ignore how much God has already done in my life.

    I know that Jesus will take care of me today and forever. Because of that promise I don’t experience the anxiety that Maggie does on occasion. Jesus made this amazing promise in the Gospel of Matthew.

    20 …And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

    Matthew 28:20, NLT

    I have the assurance of my eternity and that I will never be abandoned.

    The first canine hero of my book Stay was another rescued Labrador. Hannah was a once in a lifetime dog that came into a tough season of our life and was an amazing companion. To be honest, Maggie was a challenge compared to Hannah. But that is how relationships of love go. Some are easier than others, but all are worth the effort.

    The apostle Peter said it well in his first letter, words that we all should take to heart.

    Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

    1 Peter 4:8

    We all fall short. We all sin. We all need love when we fail. We all need grace. My prayer for all of us is that we will become infectious carriers of God’s amazing grace. We played the long game with Maggie and she has become a sweet and gentle friend. Jesus plays that long game with me and I can see how His patient hand is refining me over time. If you are a follower of Jesus He is doing the same thing for you. Even if you are in a bad season Jesus is patiently and tenderly waiting to be your strength and bring triumph out of trials. My prayer is that you will trust and embrace the process.