Close the Doors
On my walk with Roscoe today I was thinking about how stressful it can be at times keeping him out of trouble. He is so curious and at times naughty. But I’ve learned that if I close the doors it makes it so much better. By closing the doors and setting boundaries the temptations in those rooms are no longer an option.
When I leave the door open he will eventually find something he is not suppose to have and quickly run through his dogie door outside and try to play keep away. Tracy told me not to be surprised if the neighbors gave me a weird smile when I saw them because Roscoe got into the laundry and ran outside and all around the yard with a pair of my underwear. Right in front of the neighbors. They got a good laugh out of it.
Other times I put him in his kennel so I can have peace of mind during a shower or when we both just need a time out. Usually when he’s in his kennel he falls asleep.
I’m beginning to see why God told me when we got Roscoe that he was for me. I didn’t want to get another dog because I didn’t want the responsibility, but he has become a gift I didn’t know I wanted or needed. I’m learning we have a lot in common.
I also need to close some doors and establish boundaries for myself. Close the door on wrong thoughts and mindsets. Just do go there. Don’t even allow them in to begin with or I will eventually hold on to one and run around with it in my mind creating chaos.
When I choose to close the door on a temptation it makes it so much easier to resist. If the door is closed you don’t see what’s inside and you begin to loose your desire for it. When the door is closed to my bedroom, Roscoe will go and find other toys to play with and looses interest in my pajamas.
God’s word tells us that if we resist the devil he will flee from us. Isn’t that wonderful! It requires action on our part to close the door, but it also promises that he will flee.
Speaking God’s word is another way to close the door on the enemy. We can take our words captive and make them obedient to Christ.
Learning obedience is a challenge not just for Roscoe, but for myself. Thank you Lord for patience, closed doors and time outs.
My Prayer
Father, I do thank you for Roscoe. I am seeing more and more why you chose him for me. Thank you for the lessons I’m learning from him and with him. I pray that we both learn to be obedient. Thank you for Your words of promise that give me confidence. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Where does my help come from?
2 Corinthians 10:5
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
James 4:7-8
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-mind.”