Many years ago, nine to be exact, we were given a little Jack Russell puppy that we call Russell... Original huh? Now Russell is not just any ordinary dog. He was given to us by some family friends and means a lot to our family! He has traveled many many miles with us down the rodeo trail since he was six weeks old and is known by anyone who knows us.
About two years ago my son Weston was given the cutest little Border Collie puppy by another family friend shortly after he graduated from High School. We picked him up at the High School State Finals rodeo in Hutchinson, Kansas and thus named him Hutch.
Throw in this mix MY dog, the old lady Sadie. She is a very fat Blue Heeler that we have had for at least ten years.
Hutch, the Border Collie, was to have enrolled in college with Weston, but was not allowed to leave home to attend. So here we are two years later with the old man Russell, the fat lady Sadie, and the energetic overly friendly Hutch which we nick named Dupes.
Russell and a Dupes were having a time getting along and had decided to have a show down one quite morning while I was at home alone. Russell, thinking he was a Pitbull jumped on Dupes and found out real quick it was a bad move. This is where I enter the ordeal and go out to break up the commotion. I quickly found myself in a situation where I put myself in a really bad position.
You see I laid myself over Russell to protect him from his enemy. While this slowed the altercation it continued for what seemed like forever. I was screaming to the Oklahoma winds for help to no avail. That's when I said my prayers for God to help me and he must have heard because it ended and Russell got away and into the safety of the house.
It's now been about a month since this all happened. My flesh wounds have healed and my broken finger is mending slowly. I had to have four external pins put through my pinky and cause a lot of discomfort but will be removed shortly!
Last night in thinking about all this, I couldn't help but think of what all Jesus endured on his journey to the cross. The repeated attacks... The pain had to be intense. He endured many many flesh wounds and had huge nails driven through the palms of his hands and I am complaining about some little pins that are only temporary?
Tonight as I sit here with Russell curled up beside me and Sadie snoring at my feet I am thankful for the life that was taken so that we could live. As for Dupes, well he has enrolled in his
Freshman year of college and is currently the king of his castle and Russell the king of ours which works out perfect!
I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ that lives in me; and the life which I now live in the body I live through faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up to death on my behalf. Galatians 2:201
