Let’s finish this tale (pun intended). To read Part I of the Hound from Hell, visit here.
Is He a Nice Doggy?
As he approached the last barrier I was a little nervous but because this was the main fence separating the property from the road, I wasn’t yet in full panic in that’s where most dogs out in this area are contained. I do know my heart was pounding likely from the brisk walking as my pace hastened to get past this dog and also from the increase in my blood pressure watching him break through barrier after barrier.
I watched this pitbull come straight at me toward the last remaining barrier. At this precise moment is when God started to talk to me again. Say what?
“Lynn, this dog has broken through all of the barriers in place to protect you. It’s the same in your walk with me. My barriers such as angels, the family, the home, your church, all of these things are what help to protect you from the evil one.”
At this point I’m truly in sheer panic as I watch the dog meet the fence and then to my horror, yep, there was another hole under the last barrier. It was as if my life went into ultra-slow motion. I watched the dog start to dive down under the fence and I knew instantly what was about to happen.
FEAR gripped me. I was breathing hard, my heart pounded in my ears. I was burning from exertion and panic. The dog skinnied up from the fence on my side and still seeing all of this in slow motion, I reached for the spray on my belt.
I let go of a long spray in the direction of the dog who was about 20 feet away and coming directly at me. I missed the dog and obviously the spray did not deter him. In my utter panic. I screamed,
“STOP!”
He slowed down.
God spoke.
I shouted stop again and then once more at the barking beast.
God said, “You allowed this sin in Lynn. The evil one will use every advantage and weakness to break through the protections placed around you.”
“O Lord.”
“STOP.”
Good grief.
The dog paused in his approach on the edge of the dirt road a mere five feet from me, still barking but he stayed away.
God again, “It was your words that stopped that dog Lynn. Your prayers are what finally stopped the enemy. But you didn’t need to go through this if only you had chosen to keep what you already knew was bad for you from your life.”
Then silence. (except the barking dog and my panicked breathing.)
I rushed to the top of the hill. The pitbull stayed behind sniffing at the repellant spray. And once my breathing calmed. I cried.
Lord in Heaven, forgive me. And thank you for saving me. Again. And Again.
I walked home. Then I grabbed this – no longer Grey area, trashy novel- from the drawer and tossed it in the trash. ~Apropos don't you think?
The very next morning as I was reading my Bible, I kid you NOT this was the verse from Proverbs:
A wise person hungers for the truth, a fool feeds on trash. Proverbs 15:14 (NIV)
Gulp and shame.
But from this shame came a lesson I will NEVER, EVER forget. Also, a deep lesson about God’s protections and a realization at the sheer numbers of barriers He builds around me and how it was me who allowed the enemy access. And finally, my shame is forgiven. For me personally, this trashy novel was sin. I’ve confessed the images it brought and the distraction that came into my mind. I’ve allow God to teach me that the best thing for me is to never allow the temptation a chance. And finally grace.
The expanding, take your breath away, overwhelming grace of God still rests on me, even in my failure. How do I begin to understand a love like that?
It will take ten thousand upon then thousand years to even grasp an inkling of the facets of God’s love for me…… and for you. But I’m looking forward to the years with great anticipation.
My friends what is difficult to admit is that I have walked many years with God and I KNEW this book was bad news for me but I picked it up anyway. Darn it. But, this lesson is not lost on this blonde brain. I know my limits. They are there to protect me not to restrict me.
Oh what freedom we have when we understand His ways.
What is your pitbull, your weed in the garden? Can you confess it today and allow God to restore His barriers of protection, grace and love.
Your healing awaits!
From a sweaty, (from walking) humble, thankful servant of the Most High God. I love you. Have a wonderful weekend and get out and walk. Hugs, Lynn
PS. Go hug a dog *grin.*
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