Come. Sit. Stay.

Love ...  is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love ... (Matthew 22: 37-39)

A friend of mine challenged me to write a blog on the three words: Come. Sit. Stay. So here we go!

We recognize these words as commands that dogs learn at obedience school. It takes repetition, practice and consistency - at school, at home, at the doggie park - wherever the dog goes, lives and has its being. Without repetition, practice and consistency, the commands Come, Sit, and Stay - no matter how loudly or how sternly they are said - still fall on deaf ears that aren't really deaf to the sound, or to the knowledge of their meaning, but rather to the willingness to "obey". The obedience of the command is generally followed by a treat, a reward ... a "blessing". Do we ever think of that when we are considering whether to obey a command of God or not? A positive reinforcement like the promise in Deuteronomy 12:28: Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it may always go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord your God.

Come. Sit. Stay. Comforting, calling to you, not be alone kind of words. Similar to Jesus' own words, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31) Not: run yourself ragged, or work yourself to death. 

And the greatest command: LOVE. Like Come, Sit and Stay, this command of love is easy on the senses. Its a warm, fuzzy command. Rooted and grown from the repetition, practice and consistency of the heart - for obedience. 

I encourage you all - to practice the command of love this day. And may all go well with you.

(how's that, PR?)