Burrs

On By Beth AlisanIn Lessons

A Coat of Forgiveness–

One of my memories of our Brittany Spaniel is of the burrs that would entangle themselves in her coat after a hunt with my father and brothers.  Eventually, one of us would need to sit down and painstakingly work these burrs out of her long red and white fur. 

The first time Adi emerged from a patch of tall grass with burrs adorning her coat I grimaced at the sight, deciding to wait and tackle the problem when we got home. To my surprise, the burrs were soon gone, having slid off her short, oily coat.  Now when I see a burr I smile knowing it’s presence is short lived.

One day I found myself thinking about these burrs and likening them to offenses.  Like a burr, an offense will quickly entangle itself in our heart and mind.  As time passes it becomes increasingly difficult to extract.  I realized that an attitude of forgiveness is like the oily sheen on my lab’s coat.  The offense sticks but a moment, quickly losing traction at the words, “I forgive.” 

Lord, may I have Your oily sheen of forgiveness to coat my heart and mind.

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you have a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you. -Colossians 3:13 

© 2019-2023, Lessons from a Lab, Beth Alisan.  All Rights Reserved.

2 thoughts on “Burrs”

  1. MAB

    I remember these burrs well and the time that it took to remove them from the dog! I feel secure in knowing that the Lord is Almighty and that God delights in being a God of forgiveness. When we have a burr against someone, pray and seek forgiveness and pull that offending burr off. Forgive one another just like the Lord forgave you. Amen

    Thanks Beth for the memories and the lesson! Love You
    MAB

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