Walk with Me

I have started running. I am doing a walk/run program to prepare to run a 5K by the end of the summer. Bison isn't able to go with me due to an injury, so Grizzly is my running partner. The last few times I have gotten ready to go for the walk/run, Grizzly has tried to run and hide. At first I was very concerned that he might be injured, but after talking to my dog club friends, I think he is bored. Bison isn't a big fan of walking either. He would much rather play ball. The other club members indicated that going for a walk was also not the favored activity of their dogs. A couple nights ago, I got the leash out and let Bison in the house then stepped out on the deck. Grizzly ran to the other end of the yard and lay down. Whenever he wants something, he lays down, so this obviously indicated "I want to stay out here." I didn't call him because I knew he wouldn't come, but I tried everything to coax him to come with me. I tried talking to him, treats, and even going out the gate and leaving it open. It was clear that he didn't want to walk with me. My feelings were hurt. I finally had to grab him, put on his pinch collar and drag him to the sidewalk. Once we started walking, he was fine. He seemed to enjoy himself sniffing and trotting along.

Later, I thought about how sad I was that my dog didn't want to walk with me and wondered if God feels like that too. So many times we choose not to walk with God, we think that other life choices will be more fun. God coaxes us back through preaching, blessings, and even letting us fail. How hurt he must feel when we still don't want to walk with him.