HOW TO be TRAINed by YOUR DRAGON

On Saturday Jack became a pet owner.  This is the first pet for our family and it isn't a cat or dog, it's a bearded dragon.  See, we told our kids if they showed responsibility in their chores, schoolwork, and routine, we'd allow them to add to that responsiblity with a pet.  Jack wanted a bird...me, not so much.  So, when I saw that a friend's lizard had babies for about $6 each, I thought of my gecko-chasing boy.

Building the home for Jack's pet.

He truly earned this and wore a smirk while we told him the good news of his promotion to "pet owner."  His sister teared up, not out of joy, but jealousy. We reminded her that her response would show us how responsible she was in handling her emotions and how a sister in Christ rejoices in good. She dried her eyes, nodded, and smiled.  (She wants a bunny).

 Our 4 year old chimed in, "Can I get a pet?"  Back story: Max keeps a collection of Gecko tails in a jar.  He chases the poor things down and attempts to catch them, but almost always ends up with a wiggly tail in his hand, (they can drop their tails as a defense mechanism) while the tail-less creature scurries to safety.  He knew the answer was no, so he didn't fight us...

Ken took Jack to pick out his little dragon from the litter, or is it a clutch?  They came home with a cute little bearded dragon not even 6 inches long.  Jack found a rock to put in its cage, learned how to feed and care for it, and we all enjoyed having the little guy in the house.

Cute, right?  

Fast forward 5 days.  A heat lamp has replaced the desk lamp and the cool breeze from the air conditioner is gone with the wind.  Jack's room is a desert.  Here's what got me as I cleaned my room today and caught a glimpse of him across the hall.  Reading a book on his bed, you would never guess it was about 85 degrees with no breeze.  He was more than content.  The boy who nightly asked to make the room colder is now basking alongside his lizard.  Why?

He delights in his pet.  The conditions surrounding him are a non-issue because of his love for Oscar. I have never heard him complain.  I don't have to remind him to get the meal worms (gag) out of the fridge to feed his pet, 3x a day,  or to mist the cage, because he is caring for and loving his pet.  He reads articles on Bearded Dragons in his free time!

Making sure he gets sunlight to stay healthy.

Immediately I thought of my walk with the Lord.  I complain because the air in our room is musty and the top step in our house smells funny when it gets hot upstairs, (weird, right), and it's challenging (and expensive) to find "normal" undergarments here.  But, if I loved the Lord, the way Jack loves his "dragon" I would embrace all of it out of love for my Father.  It's part of the job he's called me to do.  When my love and faith run staight to the source of the Lord, I can be grateful in all circumstances because I find my delight in Him.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,  give thanks 

in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in 

Christ Jesus for you."   

                        I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Callie's response is too often mine.  Jealousy.  "Why can't their situation be mine?"  So, today I am reminded to rejoice with my brothers and sisters in Christ for what He is doing in their lives and to find contentment and delight in my journey because I'm doing it for my Maker, my Rescuer, my Joy, my God.  And one day I will be in His presence!

And when Oscar grows to be 18 inches long, and the crickets have yet again escaped the cage, I'll re-read this and remember the lesson the Lord taught me through him and his owner.