By Karen Winkelman

Today when I called the dog to come back in the house, she hesitated, turning away from the door one last time to chase away a bird that had flown into our yard.  She then came in and I heard myself say, “Why did you do that?  You know that bird is going to fly back again don’t you?”

The dog did not answer me, of course.  She went happily back to her spot on the rug and left me to ponder an unusual personal application: What birds have I been chasing lately?

Our dog chases birds by instinct and for fun but I’ve never known her to catch one – it’s just her nature.  I do things by my own nature as well, but unfortunately I often catch what I’m chasing, whether sin or something that opens the door to sin.

The only hope I have to not “do that again” is to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.  He was sent to be my Helper, the One who guides me into truth and helps me to bear the beautiful fruit listed in Galatians 5:22-23… love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Lately I have found myself thinking similar thoughts about someone I’m mentoring.  When she’s described her situation, I’ve wondered, “Why did she do that?”  I guess observing my dog’s natural instincts has helped me to remember where I would be without Christ, and also where the only true Help and Hope for us all is found.

Father, help me to have Your eyes and Your understanding for each person who writes in.  Give me the grace to accept her in the condition she is in and the wisdom and courage to know how to lead her to Your truth through Your Holy Spirit.  Amen.