Donald, Quit Chasing Your Tail

I sat down with Donald, my Golden Doodle,

said, “Son, we need to talk.

There’s more to life than chasing squirrels

and barking at folks who walk.

You need to know the Lord, my friend,

quit living for yourself.”

Donald cocked his head and stared at me

like maybe I needed help.

He said, “You tell me there’s a Master,

and I ought to know His call.

Dad, when you holler ‘Donald!’

I come running down the hall.

You say your Master talks to you—

so answer this one, Dad:

How many times has He said ‘Come,’

and you acted like you never heard that?”

I said, “Donald, quit chasing your tail.”

He said, “Dad, I could say the same.

You run circles around tomorrow

while today keeps calling your name.

You tell me, ‘Sit.’ You tell me, ‘Stay.’

You tell me to obey.

But when Jesus tells you what to do,

you sometimes walk away.

So before you start preaching to me

about the road that I should choose,

make sure you ain’t chasing your own tail

in a nicer pair of shoes.”

I said, “Dogs get distracted easy—

one rabbit and you’re gone.”

He looked down at the phone in my hand:

“Dad, should I keep going on?”

I said, “Boy, when I say ‘Leave it,’

you’re supposed to let it lie.”

He said, “How many things has God said ‘Leave’

that you keep dragging back inside?”

I said, “Donald, you can’t earn salvation.

Grace is something freely given.”

He wagged his tail: “Well, that makes sense—

I don’t earn this house I live in.

You love me when I’m good or bad,

I’m yours either way.

Sounds like maybe all that grace

ain’t just something you should say.”

I said, “Donald, are you listening?

I’m trying to save your soul.”

He rolled over, stretched, and looked at me:

“Dad… who’s preaching to who?”

Then he yawned and said,

“I’ve got one question before this sermon’s through:

If you believe the Master’s worth following,

why’s He still chasing you?”

I said, “Donald, quit chasing your tail.”

He said, “I will if you will too.

When the Master calls, quit running

like you’ve got something better to do.

Come when He calls. Stay when He says.

Leave what He says behind.

And if you wander off chasing something,

turn around—you know Who you’ll find.”

Then Donald laid his head across my boot.

I said, “Boy… you might be right.”

He closed his eyes like,

“Good talk, Dad.

Now go practice what you preach tonight.”