Gaige, Come to Me!

Post 5 by Judy Rix...

If you had to rank Jesus' attributes in terms of importance, obedience would be high on the list because so much hinges on it. Our eternal progression occurs step by step through obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.

Is obedience always easy? Hardly! Even Christ himself asked, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou will." Matthew 26:39.

And again, "Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered." Hebrews 5:8.

Part of our sojourn here on earth is to learn how to align our desires with God's desires, and that happens through our trusting obedience to His laws, ordinances, and commandments. Besides being the way back to His presence, they are the roadmap to happiness.

Gaige

We had an adorable Brittany Spaniel puppy named Gaige. Have you ever had a puppy? They're delightful, but they require as much attention as a baby during the first year. Just like kids, they need to learn obedience -- not only for their safety but also to ensure happiness for themselves and everyone around them.

It took some time and patience to train this new member of our family. I wrote a little poem about Gaige. The lessons he learned can easily apply to you and me.

Go for a Walk?

“Go for a walk?” I said one day.

Gaige jumped up all ready to play.

He peed on my foot, but what the heck,

I snapped the leash around his neck.

He leaped out the door just like a rocket.

Nearly pulled my arm from its socket.

He stopped and sniffed at every tree

As I walked him -- or he walked me.

I taught him to heel but didn’t holler.

Instead, I’d gently tug his collar.

Our daily walks became a pleasure.

The little dog was a family treasure.

I taught him to sit, but he’d jump up

Just like every other pup.

We practiced like this every day

’Til he learned to come and sit and stay.

As time went on and he got older,

I felt just a little bolder,

I took him to a grassy green,

A place where he had never been.

We walked there many times together.

He loved the dewy morning weather.

He’d eat the grass and smell the flowers.

We’d walk in the sun or summer showers.

And then the time had come to tell

If I had really taught him well.

Would he trust me and obey

If I removed his leash today?

I knelt by his side; he licked my nose.

I undid the leash and slowly rose.

He looked at me as if to say,

“You really mean I’m free today?”

Then in a flash across the green

He raced as if he’d never seen

A bush, a tree, a squirrel, a bird.

He chased them all, until he heard:

“Gaige, come on boy. Come to me.”

He paused and looked reluctantly.

He wanted to run and romp and play.

But he came when I called him anyway.

I stroked his head and scratched his ear.

He’d showed me I should have no fear.

He could be trusted to obey.

My faith in him had grown that day.

Over time, my trust grew stronger.

Because of that, the romps were longer.

I didn't use a leash at all.

I knew he’d come when I would call.

By obedience, he had learned,

And all this freedom he had earned.

Until he faced that fateful day

When a rabbit crossed his way.

Temptation was too great to bear.

Across the yard he chased that hare.

A terrible noise came from afar, 

The deadly wheels of a speeding car.

Into the road the rabbit flew

With the dog at his heels as dogs will do.

In panic I screamed, “Gaige, come to me!”.

The car drew near like a wild banshee.

Gaige stopped mid-step and turned around.

At that very moment, I heard the sound

Of screeching tires, and frantically

I looked to see Gaige come to me.

Around his neck I threw my arms

So glad that he was safe from harm.

He licked my nose as if to say,

“Have I been a good boy today?”

And now he chews on his leather bone

In the cozy comfort of his home,

Or sweetly sleeps in his doggy dreams,

Chasing that little hare it seems.

By his waggly tail, we know he’s glad.

He loves us even when we’re sad.

And he’s alive and well today

Because he learned how to obey.

Obedience Brings Blessings.

Our Heavenly Father allowed us to come to earth, "off leash," away from His presence. He gave us agency to choose our way. Just like Gaige, our happiness and safety are the result of obedience to the laws, ordinances, and commandments of God. They are the ultimate roadmap to happiness. By staying on the right path, we unlock a joy that only comes from being obedient to the Master.

______

Go to the Source: What Do the Scriptures and Respected Teachers Say?

"A knowledge of truth and the answers to our greatest questions come to us as we are obedient to the commandments of God." "Obedience Brings Blessings" by Thomas S. Monson

"[All men who] are without God in the world...have gone contrary to the nature of God; therefore, they are in a state contrary to the nature of happiness." BOM Alma 41:11

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