The first weekend SIlvester was with us we worked at establishing the heirarchy of authority in my house. For instance, even though Silvester is stronger and weighs more than each of my kids, he still needs to learn that they can give him commands and he needs to obey. We learned that a little positive enforcement goes a long way. He feels safe (because he is) and understands that we love him bunches and bunches, but he's still our dog. All that bonding created strong relationships. He knows the kids aren't going to bite him like some puppy, and that they can tell him "No!" and he needs to listen. He learned that mom gives the grub along with a lot of love. And that I'm stronger than he is, especially at climbing stairs.

I was establishing myself as 'the alpha male'.

It didn't take long.

In fact, about 30 hours after he arrived he was laying on his bed a few feet from our sofa (which he is not allowed to climb upon). If I did so much as look his way, his ears popped up and his gaze was fixed on me to see what I was about to do. Call him maybe? Give a treat maybe? His response was precious.

Then on Sunday, Mark gave a message in the "Source" series. (if you have not seen it yet and want to, you can watch it here. Look for the program from 7/12 & 7/13.) The program stirred me up and moved me. In his message, he talked about the power above us. And somewhere between the media and the music it hit me.

"I am the ALPHA and OMEGA, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." -Rev 22.13

Jesus. He is the Final Authority. He is the Author and the Finisher. "He is my alpha." I must have repeated that 20-30 times in my head.

To go back to the dog, whenever I gave Silvester a command that first day, I always had a treat in hand. Something to make the experience pleasurable for him. Greys are smart. A stern "no" is sufficient for deterring bad behavior and a yummy treat will usually illicit lots of attention. They learn quickly. When first not even a treat would get him to go upstairs, now he goes only requires a little 'good-boy-good-boy' and a tummy rub when he reaches the top. Now, he knows he's safe and that he can do it.

And he still seems to have an eye open on me whenever I'm in the room. He has learned to look a little higher than usual in order to see my face. It's like he doesn't want to miss anything. Or he can't wait for the next walk with me. Or the next lesson complete with treats, good-boy's, and belly rubs. When I returned to work, those first few days I was at work he was a bit solemn. Wondering if I would emerge from the next corner. When he saw me again, he was up off his bed, tail flying around, and eager to come and stand next to me just because I was there.

I wonder if I am the same with my Alpha. I mean, if my dog is smart enough to get it, what about me? Don't get the wrong idea here, I don't think God looks at us like we look at dogs. Dogs are basically instinct-driven, right? They respond well to training because their world is a stimulus/response world. Ours can be, too. But we also have thought and will. We can reason and choose. So do we get it? I mean, do we get that the commands of God are there for our safety? That the lessons are for our good? And that he really, really does love us?

I choose to follow Jesus. I believe he is alive today and wanting to lead my life into more and more growth and maturity. Do I watch for him like my dog watched for me, his alpha? Am I eager about the next lesson so much that I don't want to miss it? Do I wait in anticipation of him coming around the next corner of my journey? Does my body show any level of excitement when I am aware of him being in the room with me?

Sometimes.

I want to be more like my dog in that way while still using indoor plumbing (whenever possible).

Who is your alpha?

If I look a little higher than my distractions who do I see?

What about you?