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August 15th.
2007
INSTINCTUAL
A couple of years ago a
lighthearted animated movie came out called Barnyard. One of my favorite
scenes was when the gathered animals needed to select a new leader. The
farm dog, all full of himself, stands up in front of the other critters
and makes this passionate plea filled with all of his qualifications to
be the next boss of the barnyard. When he finishes another animal stands
up and states that in the end it’s probably not a good idea for the
pooch to be the ringleader.
Of course the dog begins to argue, at which point the other critter
takes a ball and throws it across the barn. Instinctually the dog can’t
help himself and chases after the ball. Every time he returns and
restates his case the other animal throws the ball again and, as every
time before, he instinctually chases after the ball.
Being a long time pooch person, many of those having been retrievers and
other hunting breeds, I understand this unquenchable desire to endlessly
chase the ball. Frankly, I have had more than a few dogs that I thought
would continue to retrieve the ball until they dropped in exhaustion.
Most of these dogs have required no training to fetch the ball. On the
other hand, dropping, giving and stop burying did take a little longer
to learn. The reality is it is just instinctual for some dogs to chase
after any thing that is thrown.
In those endless moments of throwing the ball over and over and over
again I have often pondered if we humans could have one instinctual
response what it might be. A thousand tosses later my answer is prayer.
While watching a tragedy unfold on television, overhearing folks
arguing, seeing a little kid smile because of an accomplishment, there
are a million other daily situations and scenarios where I wish I would
instinctually pray. These are all things we often offer in prayer, but
generally not in a reflex way as “man’s best friend” does for the thrown
ball.
Yet in the end, if a dog can learn to drop the ball when and where you
want him to, maybe we can learn to pray “instinctually”.
Blessings,
The Rev. Brian N. Prior, Rector
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