Snappy and Entitled
I wish I had a little less in common with my dog.
Cookie is barky – not an official word, but I bet you know what I mean. The faintest unfamiliar sound sends her into a frenzy of ear-splitting, high-pitched yapping. It’s a hard job to corner and calm her. Sad to say, I’m too much like Cookie. The smallest irritation has the potential to rile up in me unnecessary, uninformed commentary and complaining. You can pray for my husband because he’s usually the one having to douse me with cold water to clear my head and close my mouth.
The girl is snappy. Offering Cookie a treat is taking a risk that she’ll eat your fingers, too. She seems to forget that we’re the proverbial hands that feed her. But what is that to her? Her sense of entitlement is next level. She sleeps where she wants (at our feet under the covers of our bed). She communicates assertively when she feels we’ve missed a meal or snack time (see “Cookie is barky.”). She routinely jumps onto the coffee table like a cat to inspect whatever we may have left there that might be of interest to her.
Snappy and entitled – same, girl. Same.
I’m blessed with more loved ones than I could ever deserve, and yet the dearest and closest are too often the ones who suffer from my “snaps” when I’m stressed, tired, worried or irritable. God, forgive me. I take my loved ones for granted and give them the leftovers of my emotions, energy, and appreciation. I’m not at all proud to admit that, like the little princess, I catch myself expecting people and schedules and preferences to all bend to my will and whim. Sitting on the throne of my own heart is definitely a control issue, and it’s also idolatry. I have work to do.
But the one way I’m too much like Cookie is that I’m obstinate. When Cookie has earned herself a reprimand, she refuses to make eye contact. The sternness and volume when I speak her name increase slightly – and still no response. On my third call, she nonchalantly stands up and walks away, feigning deafness.
How many times has the Lord called to me to get me back in line with His will and found my response to basically be a nonresponse, then a clear ignoring of His call, and finally outright walking away from Him? Oh, Lord – the trouble and heartache I’ve brought upon myself and others by turning my back on His clear and loving rebuke.
I can almost hear your words as you’ve been introduced to Cookie: “That girl could use some training!” That’s true, and that’s another post for another day. But just as firm, loving discipline and instruction for my dog could be transformative, so can they be for me.
By the grace of God, it’s never too late to grow, learn, and be changed by holy disciplines provided in His Word. Scripture grounds us in truth and continually leads, guides, and directs us in His ways. It reveals His character and His involvement as we train in godliness so that we don’t grow weary. It points us to resources for help when we struggle – prayer, community, and the power of His Holy Spirit.
Knowing God is intimately involved in my lifelong pilgrimage and looking to Him for support in my daily sanctification bring me hope and joy. Change is possible when I give myself over to Him. May my heart melt in tender, loyal obedience as I submit to His training. And may I bring glory and honor to my Master. He is worthy.
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“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe…” – Philippians 2:14-15
“I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.” – Jeremiah 10:23
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, Who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” – Ezekiel 36:26
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” – 1 Timothy 4:8
“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, Who is the Spirit.” – 2 Corinthians 3:18
