Scripture: Mark 10:23-27
Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." They were greatly astounded and said to one another, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible."
Reflection Questions:
What makes it hard for you to follow Jesus? What is the biggest barrier that gets in your way? If that were removed, then how would your life be different? Do you really think that for God all things are possible?
Five-minute Story:
I used not to like dogs. For the first decade of my ministry, this was a significant character flaw. Whenever I’d visit a home with a canine presence, I would get a little nervous. Being the creatures that they are, dogs picked up on my anxiety and would try to “be my friend.” They would come up to me and wag their tails or jump up on me. Of course, such behavior would lead to more anxiety on my part. It was a vicious cycle that I dreaded.
To be a dog owner seemed as likely to me as becoming a professional sword swallower. Although Katie suggested it a few times in the first decade of our marriage, I always vetoed it. The list of perfected excuses was ready at hand. For me, having a dog brought unpredictability to life that I wasn’t prepared to receive.
About eight months before Katie and I decided to move to Minnesota, Dazzy (pronounced “Daisy”) came into our lives. It was a difficult time for our family. Katie’s Dad was in hospice at far too young of an age. For a birthday present, I gave Katie a dog.
Before Dazzy, there was Buddy. After celebrating Katie’s birthday, we went to a local animal shelter. My sons were as excited as their Mother about the prospect of getting a dog. After visiting with Buddy for about a half hour, the family rendered their verdict. Buddy was coming home with us. Oh boy! Dashed were my secret hopes of the deal falling apart.
For the next two weeks, every effort was made to make Buddy feel at home. We never knew the full backstory, but Buddy went through some trauma along the way. His previous owner died, and Buddy was in the category of “old dog.” When Buddy snapped at the children one afternoon, the family consensus was that he just wasn’t the right dog for us.
Within a month of the failure of our first dog-in-home experience, Katie found Dazzy online. She contacted the shelter and set up a meeting. I’m not sure it was ‘love at first sight,’ but it was pretty close. Dazzy came to our family as a five-month, potty-trained, puppy.
Quickly, she melted my heart and my anti-canine resistance. Katie was right. Having a dog in my house was different from meeting dogs in other people’s homes. So thoroughly had Dazzy won me over that by the time we moved to Savage, MN I had switched to being a dog lover. No longer would I freeze up when I met a dog, releasing a scent of fear that just begged for more dog attention. Now, I greet every puppy with a pat after they had their time to give me a good sniff.
Dazzy is proof that people can change. We can all be different in the future than we have been in the past. For me, Dazzy was a catalyst for transformation. It wasn’t easy, but I needed to suspend my fears, anxieties, and apprehensions to welcome this beautiful four-legged creature into our home. Looking back, however, I’m so glad I dared to let go of my “dogged” excuses. Each night when I come home, Dazzy is so excited to see me. Enthusiastically wagging her tail, Dazzy reminds me of the blessing that she continues to be for my family.