So a couple of weeks ago I took cooper out for a run at the local fairgrounds on a weekday. I do this because well? It's hard to take him for walks here in the wintertime! So normally he and Happy go for a run and come right back within a few minutes or so, as they know the routine out at the Fairgrounds is you Go "run" and sniff things and come back again shortly!
This particular day I did not know about the gophers! Yeah it's spring time, the gophers were squeeking and popping up out of their holes. Cooper took off running and ran from "hole to hole" as the gopher's dodged him and was determined to "get one" I guess (great fun for a dog). The problem is, the fairgrounds area is HUGE and there were gopher holes all over the place (which I did not know about). Here is cooper, getting further and further away and I'm calling for him "cooper come back here" and he is gone....LONG gone! Pretty soon he was just a dot I could barely make out where he was exactly. I prayed "dear Lord Please let cooper come back"......and soon I saw him running towards me......I was so happy and said "COOPER" get back here" (I knew he could hear me) and by the way his "normal" run time was over (about 1/2 hour) and so I just knew he would come back, jump in the SUV and we would go home! NOPE.....he saw me, wheeled around and kept running (further away once again). I called, I whistled I prayed.....and I had no hope of catching him. After an hour and a half I was in tears! Please Father Please....Please give my dog back to me"......Well I had this idea....I drove my vehicle over by where he was (as I saw him investigating a whole new "group" of gopher holes" and I drove up "suprised him" and jumped out and ran towards him. I said "COOPER NO" when I saw he was going to run again.....and so he stopped and when I got to him he just collapsed! He was so tired he just went limp in my arms and I carried him to the rig, put him inside....and well he just "died' pretty much he was SO tired!
Needless to say, we have not been back to the fairgrounds again! But cooper yeah....He reminded me of when I get excited and just Start to Run (leaving God in the dust) he is saying "Laura'......Laura what are you doing?" ......And God in his faithfulness, waits until I wear myself out and is right there to carry me (for he knows I love him!). I know cooper loves me! (even though he is a dog). I get home from work he RUNS out to the fence and stands there "wiggling" his whole body! and no matter how cold it is, rain or shine he waits til I'm out of the vehicle then "Makes a dash" for the house (through the dog door and in) and he is IN the house at the door Before I can get the door open! He acts like he hasn't seen me in weeks! Wiggles his whole body "smiling' happy to see me! Then he rolls over on his back and sniffs me as if to say "so glad you're home' (and wiggles some more). It's pretty cool actually. And I can't help it think.....if we are that excited to see God each day (our Master) I mean just HAPPY to see him......and Cooper....he don't care if I give him a dog biscuit or a pretzel! He is so HAPPY to get it.......and he's like wagging his tale "what else you got?". And he trusts me! He believes I will feed him, that there will be water in the bowl! Oh sometimes sure he gets a little bit concerned if I lock the dog door......and it's cold out he goes into a panic (I hear frantic scratching out there). but I am on it, let him in and he is like "OH THANK YOU".........(wiggling around, wagging his tail). Yep cooper "just a dog" but I could learn a lot about Serving the Lord "JUST" from him! And how does God feel when he cannot get my attention for an hour and a half? I know I was crying "Dear Lord" dont' let cooper get hurt, or run out into traffic" ...(for he didn't know he could get runned over by a mac truck?) I mean I KNEW The danger and he did not! I desperately wanted him to mind me and obey me FOR HIS SAKE (and for mine) for I did not wish to lose him. And that is just a dog!! Think JUST THINK how God feels about us! He turns us loose.........and loves us so "OH Dear Lord" Dear Heavenly Father' Help us to hear you and to come back when you call us! Please Lord" Help us to be obedient for we know you are only out for our best. And if we don't come back, please chase us down, for we need your grace, protection, and love.
Amen
