Dog on a Foot - Martin Wiles

Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. Luke 10:39 NLT

Of all the stores my grandfather delivered ice cream to, the one where the dog sat on my foot was my favorite.

Aside from a few chain pharmacies and gas stations, mom and pop stores ran the retail world. Small stores owned by local people. Stores where a little of anything could be purchased—including ice cream. And my grandfather was more than happy to supply them with all their customers could consume.

As a young boy, I enjoyed traveling from town to town and through the country helping my grandfather stock these small stores with ice cream novelties. But the one I looked forward to the most was the one where a small dog sat on customer’s feet.

“Where are we going next?” I’d eagerly ask on the day of the week we worked this store. 

Finally, my grandfather would say, “To the store where the dog sits on your foot.” 

As my grandfather took the store owner’s order, the dog walked over and sat on my foot. Why he did, I’m not sure. Perhaps just one of those odd habits some animals pick up as a part of their personality.

Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were Jesus’ good friends. Martha was a busy body, wanting everything to be in order. She was a good hostess. Mary loved to listen to Jesus teach, so she sat at His feet. Martha fussed about it, but Jesus reminded her Mary had chosen the better thing.

The small dog at the store could have reared up on my leg or sat with his tail wagging and got the same response from me as he did by sitting on my foot. He wanted attention from the store owner’s customers. He obviously loved people and craved petting.

Jesus wants the same from me as He did from Mary. But most of the time, I’m a Martha. I get so wrapped up in daily affairs—good things mind you, that I forget to sit at His feet, enjoy His company, and learn from Him. There’s a better way, and Mary and the foot-sitting dog remind me of that. Time spent with the Savior is never wasted. Other things can wait. Listening to Him is more important.

Find time daily to sit at the feet of Jesus.

Prayer: Father, help us slow down so we can spend time sitting at Your feet and learning from You. 

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