TWO DOGS IN THE BACKYARD

Funny how some things stick in your mind. Years ago, on a Sunday after church we put our names on a waiting list for one of our favorite Mexican restaurants. While everyone was sitting and chatting, I thought I would walk around the shopping strip and enjoy a little adventure before lunch peeking in windows and doing a bit of exploring. 

Hearing some commotion in one of the shops, I drew close to the window put my hands around my face and peered inside. 

There were about six ladies dressed in choir robes. Does anyone remember choir robes? Woah, that is a blast from the past. Ha!! They had the big white collars worn over colorful robes. The choir on a small platform was swaying back and forth in sync with the biggest smiles singing as they burst out in song. I was about to step away when the pastor saw me peeping inside and motioned with his hand for me to join them. 

Well, it had been a while since I had been to all Black church. In fact, years before we had children Lance and I visited a church in Oak Cliff. How fun!!! The ushers were dressed to the T wearing white gloves. They waved their arms in circular motions walking before us down the middle aisle motioning for us to follow them to our seats. 

So much for being inconspicuous. Ha!

It was a wonderful time of worship as we joined our brothers and sisters in Christ in blissful worship, singing and swaying to the gospel message.

Once again, I was invited to join my brothers and sisters in worship. So, I stepped inside. 

What a sweet time of singing our hearts out before the LORD. I stayed for the entire service. And after all these years, I still remember the main part of the sermon. 

I wish I could say it the way the pastor did, but it went something like this. 

There are two dogs in the backyard. Yes, two dogs!! One good and one bad. Did you all hear me? (And the congregation responds. “Yes, pastor!!! Amen!! Two dogs!!! One good and one bad!!!) Yes, two dogs. Two dogs in the backyard!!! (More response and amens!!)

And the one you feed is the one who lives!!! 

And once again the congregation responds. “Amen, pastor. Preach it!!!”

This morning as my hubby and I were headed to a doctor’s appointment; he read something off his phone. A woman in south Chicago had opened a hamburger restaurant and was lamenting how young people were climbing over her counters and being disrespectful. Instead of pointing her fingers at the failure of society, government or poverty…she scolded parents. 

Apparently, it touched a nerve. She had over a million views!!

As I pondered how our culture has changed in the last fifty or so years. I asked myself, who is raising the children? And what are they teaching them?? Do we as a culture esteem the value of marriage? Do we see the importance of family, and the responsibility of parents to love their children, discipline them and teach them right and wrong? 

If we plant corn seeds. We should expect corn. If we plant apple seeds, we expect an apple tree. 

Jesus tells us that we will reap what we sow!!!

Sometimes it takes years to see, even generations. So, don’t lose heart if you are planting good seeds. Be patient. Be consistent, no matter how tired you are or how many times you said it☺ Live what you believe and structure your home around it!! Give truth form!!! So even if the children aren’t listening, they will breathe it and see it!!! The time will come when they will reflect on their upbringing as they build their own families!! 

So, what does this have to do with two dogs? I thought you would never ask. Ha!!

There is good and evil in the world. Our hearts and the hearts of our children are also capable of good and evil!!! Made in the image of God we have the capacity to do good. Living in a fallen world with a fallen nature, we also have the capacity to do evil. 

Which nature are you going to feed?

Remember there are two dogs in the backyard. The one you feed is the one who lives!!

Hugs ‘n blessings.