Issue 1818 – An Old Dog – September 25, 2025
Kathy and I are huge fans of border collies. It’s no exaggeration to say they aren’t for everyone. Now they aren’t for everyone. They have a high need to work and require plenty of space and exercise, and they are our favorite breed.
I was browsing through some images of border collies on a Facebook page that shares everything related to border collies. One of the images took me back 30 years in my memory.
Kathy and I had taken a summer drive out to the old campground on the lake. Over the years, I had been involved in several men’s fishing retreats there, but Kathy had never been to that lake. The facility was still there, although the province was no longer maintaining it.
We parked and walked around. To our surprise, a big old collie came over to check us out. He likely lived in one of the homes nearby. He seemed starved for affection and immediately adopted me. Wherever we walked, he was at my side, getting petted.
Finally, it came time for us to leave. He didn’t want to see us go. As we tried to drive away, he went into classic collie mode and tried to herd us back to our parking space. If I cut to the left, he moved in front of us to the left and then lay down. If I moved to the right, he moved to the right as well. If I tried to go straight, he went to the front of the van.
It took some time before we were able to get clear of him. He was very determined that we could be herded into staying.
His determination reminded me in a strange way of Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit never gives up on us. He wants to see us drawn into the fold with Christ and Father. He testifies to us about Jesus. He convicts us of our sin. He’s constantly at work to help us find our way to salvation.
He does all that because Father loves us all and wants all to choose Him and grow in Christlike character.
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9
That gives me hope as I wait for His return. I have friends and family who don’t yet know Him. As much as I eagerly await His return, I long for those friends and family members to find their true freedom in Him. I know He’s on their trail and calling to them. My prayer for them is that they listen.
Until next time, rejoice that He loves you enough to track you down and herd you back to the fold. Rejoice that He’s still out there chasing the lost.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed,
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
__________________________________________
Please like and share this post with your friends and those in your circle of influence. Feel free to comment.
Did you know that we have an email version?
___________________________________________
All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.