Bo
Bo
I spoke to you, but you didn’t listen. (Deut. 1:43)
When I picked up the phone, Emily began telling me of her plans for a much-needed weekend getaway for herself and her husband. “You’re my last hope,” she said. Then the guilt kicked in—Emily and Ryan would have to cancel their plans unless I helped by pet-sitting for their dog. “It’s the weekend after Christmas, so all the kennels are booked. My in-laws agreed to watch the boys, but they can’t take Bo because they have allergies.” (Bo is short for Bonaparte—as in Napoleon. The name should have been a clue.)
I agreed. Rick and I love dogs, so how much trouble could one small canine be?
While little Bo was in our care, he chewed through two electrical cords, demolished our son’s video game, barked incessantly, and wanted to sleep in our bed. Bo also lifted his leg on the kitchen cabinet, the corner of our bed, and horror of horrors—our Christmas tree.
After Emily picked up the obstreperous little tyrant, I collapsed in a chair, exhausted. I silently asked the Lord, Why do people always come to me when they need something? Almost immediately, I felt the Holy Spirit saying, Did you bother asking Me if you should say yes every time someone asks you for a favor? I realized that a big part of the problem was me. I had a hard time saying no. I prayed and asked the Lord to help me listen to His voice and to heed His instructions.
In spite of our busy schedules and fatigue, some of us still have a hard time saying no. Sometimes we assume it’s our Christian duty to say yes to everything that comes our way. If this is a problem area for you, pray for wisdom and guidance before taking on any new tasks.