Why am I snarling? (And other 'Small Human Syndrome' Symptoms)

I witnessed an 'AWE' moment. Do you ever have those moments where you absolutely know God is opening your eyes to something to help you know Him better? I call these AWEsawgodtoday moments. God gave me a pretty clear glimpse of what I look like to HIM sometimes.

The moment happened at breakfast when my son Josh picked up Lila, our morkie puppy, and she snapped, snarled and growled at him. I thought to myself "Here is a 2 pound 'tiny speck of creation' and she's extremely agitated, irritated and uncomfortable with Josh, a boy who loves everyone!"

In this AWEsawgodtoday moment: I am like Lila the dog and Josh is like God. Josh has a mega-huge heart. He LOVES all creatures: animals, plants, birds, nature and would sleep in his hammock outside just to gaze at the stars and be amongst creation every night if I would let him. Lila, on the other hand, has imperfect personality traits. She is friendly with everyone, but, for whatever reason she has a 'thing' about Josh.

He desires to hold her.

She doesn't usually desire to be near him.

He desires to comfort her.

She snarls and growls if he comes close to her.

He desires to play with her (fellowship).

She wrestles to break free from his grasp.

Lila will gladly hang out with anyone... just not with Josh.

The veterinarian told me this is called 'Small Dog Syndrome'. She suggested I put a stop to it ASAP for the good of our household! She warned this problem would take over our lives if left untreated. She advised me to work on obedience, training and allow Josh to reward her instead of someone else.

Hmmmm.... so this is what was revealed to me: The Father has a huge amount of love for everyone. Still, we tend to and sometimes unknowingly snarl, snap and try to get away from HIM and do what we want to do with our lives. We go to a friend to talk about our problems or to talk about our day and we look anywhere but to HIM for fellowship and/or a relationship.

Like Josh with Lila, God desires to hold us, 'play with us' (fellowship) and share in our joy and despite all of this, we still forget and reject HIM. We want to do what feels good to us. We want to love HIM in our timing. HIS Love is over and above what we could even imagine. Like Lila probably feels with Josh, it's just so much love that we're unsure about it and can't understand it.

Humans are a lot like Lila with 'small dog syndrome'. So perhaps we should call it.... "small human syndrome". Snarling and growling at HIM when we don't get our way and/or fighting our way to get free of his grasp and just running around doing what we want to do. After all, what we want to do feels good. We'll go to anyone or anything else... just not to HIM.

Here is a short list of 'small human/dog syndrome symptoms'. Can you relate?

1. WHO'S IN CHARGE? Do I live by the motto... It's my way or the highway?! Do I stick God in my pocket and only pull HIM out when I need HIM to do something for me? Do I act on my feelings alone? Or, am I going throughout my day 'prayed up', listening for commands, submitting and directing my footsteps according to HIS word? "Direct my footsteps according to HIS word." Psalm 119:133

2. AM I SNIPPY & SNARLING? A small dog who is nervous, anxious and insecure misbehaves, snarls and bites. As in the case with Josh, Lila is unsure about him and what he might do to her. So she fights his love. Am I trusting HIM and leaning on HIS great love for me? Heart-check. Our rewards for sincerely seeking Him are great. "And without faith it is impossible to please God, Because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6

3. AM I TOO COMFORTABLE? We like to be where we are in control and comfortable. Change and turning away from our own ways (sin) is hard. Our little dog Lila currently refuses to walk on her own outside. It's like she is saying, "Why should I walk when I can make you carry me? Look at me, I'm so little and cute. I can't possibly walk." Or it's like saying... "You want me to give up that habit, God?! Uh... no thank you. I'm out." Are you listening to where God wants to take you? The walk may be out of your comfort zone but I guarantee you CAN do it. He'll take you further than you ever thought you could go. Also, daily personal quiet time (5-10 minutes) is a free gift you can give yourself. It is very uncomfortable for many people to do this in the age of electronics, constant busyness, distractions and noise. Please try it. No phone, no television, no noise, no distraction."He makes me lie down in green pastures." Psalm 23:2

4. DO I PEE ALL OVER THE HOUSE? I am trained. I go to church. I go to Bible study. I read the Bible. I may be the best trained human on my block. But, do I make a mess of the rest of my time? With 'small dog syndrome' this is an act of dominance and control, with people it is much of the same. I am in control of my time. True. How am I spending it? Is my life a stinking mess? Am I obeying HIM who is really in control and allowing HIM to train and lead me. Knowledge and active faith are two different things. "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11

5. DO I BEG FOR TABLE-FOOD? Do I beg God for something that isn't in HIS will? Do I whine in jealousy of other's success, health or favor? Do I cry over what I think should be happening and what God isn't doing rather than feasting on what's in my own bowl? Am I ignoring my 'regular food' in favor of handouts? Am I grateful for what I have in my life? "Rejoice in the Lord always" Philippians 4:4

I am humbled by this AWEsawgodtoday moment and how deep the Father's love is for us and I hope my example helps you, too. It is easy to reject and turn our nose up at GOD's love. Walk in obedience, submission and love today friends.