Day 22 - July 7 - The Parable of the Whiny Dog

Three weeks ago this Blog didn't exist. In so many ways it seems like three months or longer.

First, let me say thanks to all of you who are checking for updates multiple times per day, looking for the latest news and prayer requests. And thanks to all of you who are brave enough to post a comment that is being read by who knows how many people from every corner of the globe. Your words of encouragement, verses, songs, etc. go a long way to help take care of not only Eric & Cherié & Joélle & Connor, but the extended family, too, as well as the larger online community. Thank you.

We all certainly wish that three weeks ago today when Connor ran out into the water and dove in that it wouldn't have triggered all these events, but no amount of wishing can change God's plans and purposes. So instead, here we are. Thanks for helping to tow the line with your prayers and notes.

A few minutes ago Eric told me about his day... of printing some of the blogs and taking them in to read to Connor. He read about some of the dark days and what happened on the following days. Connor asked him to read more.

Eric told me about his new role as a persistent widow... you'll have to read Luke 18:1-8 to find out what this new role looks like (and no, it doesn't involve make-up and ladies clothing).

Then I started talking about my dog Jazz. Jazz is half this and half that and a bit overweight and kinda shaped like a tick with a small pointed head and a large wedge-shaped body. She's the kind of dog whose neck is bigger than her head which makes it difficult to keep a collar on her, but we out here in Virginia love her none-the-less, except, of course, my mom who has her own opinion of Jazz that includes a vivid description of Thanksgiving Day 2007, a pie, a bowl full of stuffing, tripping over our beloved dog, a trip to the emergency room, a shattered knee cap, and about 6 months of rehab, not to mention a few choice words! But I digress.

Tonight my dog Jazz told us her own version of the parable found in Luke 11:5-13. She walked into the dining room and paid no attention to the fact that I was on the phone speaking with Eric. Instead she walked over to where I was sitting at the table and put her head on my leg. I paid her no mind.

Jazz kept her head on my knee and then she started whining. Now she knows I'm a softy and my wife continually reminds me that she doesn't whine to anyone else, but tonight I was talking to my brother, so I continued to pay no attention to her. And then guess what? Unlike the guy in the parable she turned away and walked off. Hah! I told Eric that she failed. She gave up. She didn't continue in her persistent state!

Eric and I pressed on with our conversation. About PaO2 levels, useless math, and the Roman Centurion and his servant.

Then about ten minutes later Jazz came back around with her whining. And she whined some more. And some more. And guess what! Her persistence paid off. I got up, found the bag of food and gave her some of what she was looking for the whole time!

If you're familiar with the Luke 11 passage you know how it turns out. If you pound on the door with persistence, even to the point of waking all the neighbors, that persistence will pay off.

Christ goes on to say... "Ask and you'll get; Seek and you'll find; Knock and the door will open."

So that's where we are today... asking you to keep knocking on the door of heaven with all the requests about Connor... be ever persistent... don't give up or be discouraged...

Eric and I laughed about his suggestion for the new TV show Parables with Kent. He recommended we get some Alistair Cooke-type guy to play my part. I personally think Parables with Jazz would draw higher ratings. Of course some would suggest we'd have to get a better looking dog to play the part of Jazz! Shame on them...

Kent
Virginia