Clark: A Good Dog

Mary’s Monday Musings to Quilt Encouragement

Clark, a Good Dog

 

Clark is a beautiful white Pyrenees dog. His impressive size is balanced by his equally large gentleness. He has a large job, too, which he performs with loud diligence.  He guards the family’s goats from roving coyotes. His faithfulness to duty makes it necessary to keep him in the yard outside the goat pen during the day, otherwise he would keep the goats in their small shelters all day in his exuberance to protect them. Barking and nipping at their heels, he would insist they stay inside in spite of beautiful sunshine and their wishes to cavort about their pasture and nibble the good grass. During the night, however, he is the perfect sentry inside the pen. At the slightest rustle, he sounds the alert with his deep throaty bark. Often an alert ear can hear the yips of the coyotes, slinking around in search of a meal, but just as often the dog’s gruff woof only means crickets or equally small, non-menacing creatures are out there; and they probably heed Clark’s warning and hasten away.

 

Instead of Clark, Christians have the Holy Spirit to warn us of danger. Instead of a throaty bark, the Holy Spirit gently nudges us to take shelter from danger. Contrary to a guard dog, the Holy Spirit leaves it up to us to choose whether to cavort where it is unwise or heed His warning of danger. We need to exert alertness to His warnings and learn to distinguish the still small voice of caution from the clamor of society. We can live in the peaceful atmosphere of trusting God when we listen to differentiate between our will and the will of God.