More distractions

I stood watching Dusty scout a parking lot down the road. She would head off in one direction, then her head would suddenly snap around and she’d make a 90 degree turn and follow an intriguing smell in another. She bounced from smell to smell until she tired of it all and continued along the road.

Soon a former neighbour drove up and paused to chat. He had much to moan about – poor health, inefficient staff in his neighbourhood grocery store. He concluded that ‘nobody gives two hoots these days’ and I found myself nodding in agreement.

But I don’t agree! I realized after he’d driven off that I was just like Dusty. I have determined to soak in Scripture so that my thoughts align with those of God, so that I have the mind of Christ, and then, wham, I veer off in a very cynical and worldly assessment of things in order to be agreeable to my neighbour.

How can I be the sweet fragrance of Jesus to those I meet if I’m ready to concur when the moaning begins? Jesus is always positive, always encouraging, always loving. I need help here.

I don’t want to be like Dusty, heading off in the direction that Jesus is leading, only to snap back and join in the moaning or the gossiping.

I need to take to heart something I read in Hosea this morning. Always depend on the Lord.