Choking Freedom! - Life Lessons with Edgar pt. 1

Two weeks ago, Beth and I brought home the newest member of the Jenkins family. 

Meet Edgar.

Edgar is a Double-Doodle (Labradoodle and Goldendoodle mix). After my nephew Mark, Edgar is the cutest new part of life...I mean look at that face.

Alright, enough of the love-fest. I'm already learning about life from Edgar and his actions have caused me to ask a few questions. The first question Edgar has caused me to ask is, do I really want freedom? 

Beth and I bought 50ft of rope for Edgar to be able to run around in our backyard. We tied it to a tree in the middle of the yard and Edgar can pretty much go wherever he wants in our backyard. Unfortunately Edgar can be an idiot. He will wrap himself around bushes, trees, outdoor furniture, charcoal grills, your legs and then bolt in the other direction causes your heart to freak out and your instincts force you to jump really fast! 

Edgar has all this freedom and yet he gets tangled up and caught up in obstacles so often that it's easier to keep him on a short leash. 

I'm not talking about the freedom to own a gun or have an abortion, I'm talking about the freedom to choose. The freedom to do what we want, when we want it, by whatever means necessary. 

There are days where I make so many bad decisions that I look back on them and go, 'what the heck is going on?' 'who am I right now?' 'how can one person screw life up this bad?' 

It can feel like I'm tied up and struggling to break free. 

Maybe a better way to phrase that question is this...do I really want control?

I can say with certainty that I WANT God to make my decisions for me. I WANT Him to lead me. I WANT Him to have all control. He sees the big picture and knows how to unwind the tangles of life. 

“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. - Jesus (Matthew 16:24)

Next Post: Quit Whining (Ways to Hand Over Control).

Photos courtesy of Jonathan Rykse. Thanks, Jonathan!