The Stench Of Rejection

The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.

“SMOKEY! NO!” Tara yelled frantically, trying to rein in the retractable leash. “Leave it. Stop. Sit. Stay. Come!”

Her dog ignored the staccato commands and forged ahead toward his goal—a black and white animal nosing around some bushes. Even though it was dark, Tara could make out the telltale stripe. But her attempts at reeling in her strong hound mix were useless. He was straining against the leash like a sled dog on track to win the Iditarod single-handedly.

“The skunk is not your friend!” Tara explained. “He doesn’t want to have anything to do with you. He would rather spray than play.”

It wasn’t like Smokey hadn’t been down this odorous road before. He had been sprayed three times in the past year. Each time, Tara was certain he had learned his lesson.

Normally, she loved Smokey’s tenacity. After all, it was his grit that saved his life after being so horribly abused as a puppy. His will to live and determination to survive were evident the first time Tara met him at the animal shelter and fell instantly in love with him. And yet, right now, she really wished he would dial his determination down a few notches.

“Smokey, let me tell you again. That skunk does not want to be your friend. He hasn’t wanted to be a friend all year. Come on. Let’s get . . .” Too late. The skunk suddenly stopped, lifted its tail, and took aim.

Smokey jumped back. He sneezed and shook his head. Then he ran back to Tara, dejected and confused. His expression broke her heart, and the pungent smell wafting from him stung her eyes. Tara covered her nose and mouth and muffled, “Bath time for you, mister. Thankfully, I still have a full bottle of Skunk-Off shampoo at home.”

Actually, she had three full bottles. After all, you can never have enough neutralizing shampoo when you live in an area where cranky skunks abound.

“Oh, buddy,” she said, resisting the urge to pet her dog. “When are you gonna learn that Mr. Stink Spray will never be your playmate?”

Smokey cast a pitiful look toward the bushes where the skunk had disappeared. He then looked up at Tara.

“I know, I know. How humiliating, especially when your intentions were good and noble.” She tugged on his leash. “Come on. Let’s go home and wash away the stench of rejection.”

PAWS & PONDER . . .

There are times when temptation seems unavoidable—it just seems to come out of nowhere. But other times, as today’s proverb describes, you see temptation coming and have a chance to get away. Can you recall a time when temptation suddenly appeared? What about a time when you clearly saw it coming? What temptations do you struggle with most? What are some safeguards you can put in place today to avoid the stench of sin?

Paws & Pray

Lord, thank you for always making a way for me either to stand against or run from temptation. Forgive me when I fail, when I pursue sin, knowing full well the consequences. Enable me to recognize temptation when it is coming my way. And give me the strength to run and hide. Help me to see you as bigger than any sin and any temptation. And help me to trust you far more than I trust myself.