When we adopted Charlie, he was already a full grown dog. The shelter estimated he was two years old. He was found loose in Greensburg. He had no tags, no micro-chip, and he was not neutered. Despite all attempts to find his family, none came forward.
We have a fenced yard, so when Charlie goes outside, he doesn’t go on a leash. Our fence provides some semblance of security. I say some, because he has escaped that fence on more than one occasion. Charlie doesn’t try to escape all the time. It only happens when something is so tempting outside the fence, like a squirrel or chipmunk, that he must make a break to investigate.
No matter how infrequent his escapes are, they scare me every time. What if he doesn’t come back? What if I can’t find him? What if someone else picks him up?
My fears are out of love for this little dog. The world can be a scary place, and he could get into serious trouble running loose on his own. At my house, he is safe, well fed, and taken care of. He might not find such accommodations out on his own!
To get him back, we always have to offer treats or “catch” him. It seems that the wonders of the world are too tempting for Charlie to simply return home on his own.
The Lord worries over us when we’re lost in much the same way. I know from conversations, especially with parents, about loved ones who have left the church that there are real fears and concerns for those “lost” souls.But, what about those of us who have stopped seeking God even though we come to church? What about the ones who are only going through the motions? Aren’t they just as lost as the ones who aren’t here?
Ultimately, what we must realize is that no matter how lost we are, the Father is patient and waiting. God is always seeking us, and ready to welcome us home. He isn’t interested in punishment and reprimand.
Instead, He reaches out with open arms for whenever we decide to return to Him. And that’s the big difference between us and Charlie. God offers us the choice to return or stay out on our own. He doesn’t offer treats or grab us by the collar. It is entirely up to us to choose Him, or not.
Perhaps, rather than to try and force them, we would serve our friends and family better by living the Gospel in our own lives. Perhaps we have not realized how we ourselves are lost. Conversion to God requires personal reflection. It is not easy, but it is an amazing experience to bring yourself closer to Jesus.
The wonderful news is that He is always ready for us to come home! The same is true for Charlie!
Christy Cabaniss - Parish Minister
