She was gone! We called and called her name. We looked everywhere we could possibly think of. As a last resort, my parents and I loaded into our blue Buick and headed up and down the Ohio roads . . . Looking where we thought she may have gone. Stopping the car along the way, calling her name . . . “Shabu, Shabu . . .”
Why would she trade the wonderful comfort of her luxurious, hand-made, heated dog house to head down some unknown trail? This beautiful Collie/German Shepherd mix was fairly new to us . . . But we loved her already, and now, now she was gone.
Our “driving search” took us past a small ravine where a farmer had some pigs. One of my parents wondered aloud if she could be down there among them, but we soon returned home from our pursuit — dejected, empty handed and uncertain what to do next! She was definitely not responding to our urgent calls.
Life had to continue, and we went about our normal duties with a heavy heart. How long it took, the years have erased, but the event I remember quite well! Here came Shabu — returning from her excusion “away from home.” We were thrilled! Then, our sense of smell overtook our sight! Whew! Along with Her beautiful collie markings being caked with mud, she reeked with the obvious company she had been keeping! Creatures other than her own kind — most likely the PIGS!
It didn’t surpress our joy at all! We were amazingly overjoyed that she had come home. We let her know it too, and then got right to work! Washing and scrubbing away the remains of her infamous adventure. Taking her back into our loving family. Giving her food, water, and yes, her luxurious dog house!
Just a simple, earthy story, yet how much more the elation, the joy, when we apply it to people! Wandering the path of self will, leads to unexpected trails with undesirable endings! When a son or a daughter “heads for home” — this causes the family of God — and even angels to rejoice! Father longs for the day, the Holy Spirit pulls on heart strings and Jesus waits — ready to wash the repentant heart clean from the stench and blackness of sin.
Tired of the aftertaste of sin? Come home! He calls us to “taste and see that the Lord is good!”
Weary of the journey of the “self-made” life? Come home! His arms are open as He says, “Come, you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Weary of wandering? Come home! His love is waiting at the end of the road!
By: Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG
Take it with You
“So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”
Luke 15:20
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