This morning I had
one of those moments, one of those object lessons from God.
While en-route to
meet friends at my son's new coffee shop, The Pressroom, in Bentonville, AR, I
passed a house where a huge Doberman Pincher lives. Normally he has on one of those
collars that keep him in his yard. But today he frolicked in the middle of the road.
When he saw me approach he planted his paws and prepared to "stand me
down." By his lifted lip and his stance I knew he growled a warning.
Of course I slowed
down. This only served to make him bolder. He charged my car, alternately snapping
at the tires and returning to the front barking, warning, and demonstrating his
dominance of the road.
Silly dog.
He had no idea that his
display of power wasn’t what made me apply my brakes. Rather it was my kindness
and patience with his ignorance. He had no way of comprehending that I was the one with the power. I could
have continued on my without slowing down and knocked him off the road
resulting in his death, or at the very least, severe injuries.
And that is when it
happened. A light went off in my soul. For all the times I take a stance, bark
my opinion, feel all powerful, it is the kindness and patience of God that
waits until I'm all barked out and ready to listen, ready to be teachable,
ready to repent from my error.
Silly Linda
