Tuesday, January 21, 2014

The Joke That Made Me Cry

This morning the following joke turned up on facebook:



A guy is driving around Oklahoma and he sees a sign in front of a house: "Talking Dog For Sale." He rings the bell and the owner tells him the dog is in the backyard.The guy goes into the backyard and sees a Labrador Retriever sitting there.
"You talk?" he asks.
"Yep," the Lab replies.
"So, what's your story?"
The Lab looks up and says, "Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help the government, so I told the CIA about my gift, and in no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping. I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running.
"But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn't getting any younger so I decided to settle down. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security wandering near suspicious characters and listening in.
"I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals. I got married, had a mess of puppies, and now I'm just retired."
The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog.
"Ten dollars," the guy says.
"Ten dollars? This dog is amazing. Why on earth are you selling him so cheap?"
"Because he's a damned liar. He never did any of that stuff."
When I read it, I laughed 'til I cried.

I cried, because I have been the dog owner.  I have possessed friends and family whose mortal weakness blinded me to the miracle, the possibility and potential, the child of God they truly are.  I have undervalued them and have been willing to sell them for naught.  I have even condemned them for their mistakes, consigning them to a place of pain and sorrow.

I cried too, because I have been the dog.  I have often been unappreciated, undervalued, mistreated and condemned.  I have felt compelled to lie in the desperate hope of increasing my value and somehow, just maybe, gaining the approbation of another.  I have been judged and counted as unworthy of companionship because of my many sins and poor choices.  Sometimes, even, for just being me.

I also rejoiced!  Because I have been the shopper.  I have, now and then, been able to see past the flaws of another and been shown who he really is!  I have loved him and appreciated the miraculous child of God he truly is!  I have shown him that He has been purchased by a new owner who wouldn't insult him by paying a mere ten dollars for him, but who, willingly, joyfully, had paid the uttermost price for one as fine and precious as he.  And I have seen him respond with joyful obedience and love, to his new and perfect Master!

And then I wept, for joy!

Thank you Dogwork.com for sharing a joke that for me has become a Parable.

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