The Trouble with Buster
Buster was what Eddie decided to call a stray pit bull that wandered into our yard on a Tuesday afternoon. I called the city to see if they would pick him up. They could not, they said, because they did not have a shelter yet. So, Buster decided to stay around. He made a little “nest” in the plant next to our garage. He growled at us. I tried to coax him into a dog carrier by lining it with towels and putting food in the back, so we could take him to a shelter. He refused. The towels he chewed up into tiny bits, and he didn’t touch the food for fear of being caught. He chewed up our garden hose and plant pots. He challenged anyone walking from the building to the house as if he owned the strip of grass next to the fence. He was hit by a big truck. That stopped him for a while, but he was back the next week. I put some pepper spray where he had made his nest to deter him from coming back, and that did the trick.
Buster hung his head and put his tail between his leg when he needed something. Otherwise, he was surly, blustery, and uncooperative. Some people are like Buster. They only want what will help them in the moment but are not willing to alter their behavior to bring lasting change. They will take a handout but won’t substantially change their lives. Like Buster, we are our own worst enemy. Instead, let’s open our hearts, accept the gospel message, repent, and seek to love God and one another (Matthew 22:37-40). We will improve ourselves by doing so.
God bless you, and I love you.
Kevin Cauley