Lessons From my Grand-dog

Her name is Ladybug. She is a 60 pound Golden Retriever puppy who is our grand-dog. When we arrived for a recent visit, her joy was so overwhelming, she “air tackled” my husband. With her boundless energy and intense interest in anything shiny and new, she would overdo it if she had not been trained to “go to her place” when told or sleep in her “bedroom” when it is time to nap. She struggles to learn “calm” when she greets a returning grandparent, but the longer we were there, the more she tried. 

During the week of a recent visit I learned and witnessed several traits that the Golden Retriever breed possesses. Even Ladybug’s  antics reflect the innate traits of a Golden Retriever. She can be gentle and loving and will offer her stuffed duck to you as if giving you a present. She will sit and wait for a tidbit of attention and affection from her humans.  Ladybug is also easily distracted by whatever is moving in the sky or on the ceiling. As a Retriever, she was created to be a “bird dog.”

A good trainer will draw upon a dog’s natural tendencies to develop what could be considered their God-given strengths. As I observed Ladybug and witnessed the need for discipline and training I couldn’t help but think of my own need for God’s guidance in my life. 

God created me with certain innate traits that may have come down my family line, both positive and negative. For example, I am born of German Lutheran heritage. I no longer attend a Lutheran church, but some years ago a pastor pointed out that I still carry the reformer spirit. Martin Luther was instrumental in the Reformation after all. That reformer spirit can be defined as a passion to improve systems or institutions. It stems from a belief that positive change is possible. That spirit manifests itself whenever I find myself saying, “There’s got to be a better way to do this.” 

On the flip side, Germans can tend to be what the  Bible describes “as stiff necked”  which can be defined as stubborn, rebellious, or unwilling to submit to God’s direction. This is a trait I need to be aware of and guard against. 

Like Ladybug—who needs loving training and discipline to be the best version of herself—I need God’s training and discipline to fully embrace and live as who He created me to be. 

King Solomon put it this way, 

My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord
Or loathe His reproof,

For whom the Lord loves He reproves,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:11-12

We were all created for a purpose. God saw a need in the world and created you and me with the exact traits that we need to fulfill that purpose. You have innate qualities that make you the best version of who God created you to be. Yet, you also have the need and responsibility to submit those traits to the master potter to be formed into the perfect vessel that is you. 

But now, O Lord, You are our Father,
We are the clay, and You our potter;
And all of us are the work of Your hand. Isaiah 64:8

You co-labor with the master potter when you submit to His discipline and training. The Potter’s hands in our lives will look different for each of us because we are each on a unique journey of becoming who God created us to be, doing what He created us to do. 

There are several ways you can partner with the Master Potter. You co-labor with God when you make an appointment to deal with past hurts or limiting beliefs that hold you back. You submit to the Potter’s training when you register for additional training in the field you are in or the field you would like to operate in. Another way to submit to God’s training is to interview someone doing what you want to do or to meet with a mentor, coach, or accountability partner. God knows what you need in order to blossom more fully into who He created you to be. 

God will meet you where you are—before you have everything figured out—and He will guide you. He’s not looking for the best of the best. God looks for a teachable spirit. With a teachable spirit, the Lord will take you to unseen destinations. The Apostle Paul describes these unique opportunities, quoting the prophet Isaiah:

“THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, 

AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN,

 ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”

For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 2 Corinthians 2:9-10

Ladybug is well on her way to becoming the loving, gentle, loyal adult dog she was created to be. She waits for the command to begin eating. She walks with an eye on her master to show her where to walk. She’s learning as she grows.

You are well on your way to becoming the loving, unique, gifted person God created you to be.

God has prepared amazing unpredictable opportunities just for you and for each one of His children who operate with a heart to learn. 

Your future is full of limitless possibilities when you rely on the Lord to direct your path and allow your Creator to train you. Submit your life to the Master Potter and you will soar in the sweet spot of your God-given identity and your God-given purpose.

You got this!