2 Peter 1:12-15 - Shoehorns & Dog kennels

 

Our dog Dante was anxious to go for a walk, and so I hurriedly put on shoes and jacket to get him out for exercise. When I got home, I realized that I had walked several blocks with a shoe horn still in the heel of my shoe. Once it had done it's job helping get my heel into the shoe, it snuggled in and made itself at home there!

Recently, I had to pick up Dante at K-Dogs Pet Lodge after we'd been out of town. The kennel, 44 minutes from our house, opened at 7:30 AM. I had to be back home at my computer for an online meeting at 8:15 AM. I planned accordingly, and even had a check all filled out except for the amount. On my way home, the kennel owner called to ask where the payment was. Still in the checkbook, of course! I had filled in the dollar amount at the kennel, but was in such a rush that I never took the check out of the checkbook.

In his second and final letter to believers, the Apostle Peter said,

"There are some essentials to living the way God wants us to. My days on earth are coming to a close, so I'm going to keep repeating myself. That way you'll remember these essentials, even after I'm gone." (2 Peter 1:12-15, KJC paraphrase).

Sometimes we forget things from the distant past. The passage of time and other events have crowded out those memories. But sometimes it's short-term memory loss. We forget something simply because we're distracted. We're in a rush. People, deadlines, even dogs press us to hurry on to the next thing. 

We remember to put ice cream back in the freezer... the next morning, after it's turned to soup on the kitchen counter. We remember to turn off the headlights... when we turn the key in the ignition and the battery is drained. How much better not to forget in the first place!

Father in heaven, Don't let us become comfortable with forgetting essentials. Repeatedly remind us of what we need to grow in Christian character. Whether through preachers or through friends, through music or through nature, keep what is important in the forefront of our minds. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.