LOLA LIES
She’s not as dumb as she looks and he’s actually pretty smart. It’s hard to admit, but she’s outsmarted me more than once. You might think that just because Lola’s a dog that she can’t lie, but that’s not the case. Lola lies, she tries to pull off some whoppers, and getting caught doesn’t dissuade her a bit.
Lola likes to eat. My wife says Lola will eat anything that doesn’t eat her first, so far she’s right on the money. Lola knows when it’s dinner time and grabs her stuffed animal and starts biting and shaking it violently to ring her own dinner bell. She’ll also jump up and punch me with both paws to move me toward the pantry where her bag of dog food mocks her. It’s all cute and innocent, a daily routine that makes me swear she can tell time.
Now and then I’ll work late and someone else will get the honors to take their turn to be pushed over to the pantry and fulfill the little grey Lhasa Apso’s bidding. When I do show up tardy, and especially if no one else is around, Lola lies. She grabs her stuffed animal, bites and shakes it, and punches me with both paws.
“What does her want?” I ask in the same ritualistic and desperate whisper. She punches me again and I continue with our tradition bringing Larry into the routine, “Her just punched me Lar!” I say as I’m being herded toward the pantry.
More than once my wife has walked in and informed me, “I’ve already fed em’.” Now I can’t trust Lola the same way I can’t trust Larry in the house without a diaper on. “Her tells lies, Lar! – Lola lies!” I told him. Lola knows now when I say that to Lar that she’s not gonna dupe me again… that day anyway.
I wonder how many times I’ve lied without saying a word. The old adage can haunt an honest heart; “Actions speak louder than words.” It’s easy to portray ourselves in a way that will gain us something from someone else. We’re all sales people whether we want to admit it or not, I think.
The best actors and actresses are just sales people too. They earn Oscars and academy awards for selling themselves as believable characters. They get accolades and money usually follows, like extra dinner for Lola.
We tend to sell ourselves sometimes as people we want others to like, to accept, to get praise like we’ve won an Oscar for our role.
Striving to be the person we’re called to be based on Biblical principles is one thing, striving for a payoff is pride, the opposite of humility, it’s dishonesty, like Lola. Maybe not driven by hunger pangs, but the desire of the flesh all the same.
Lola hangs her head and mopes back to her dog bed after she gets stone cold busted. I can’t tell if she’s disappointed for not pulling off the caper or is feeling guilty… I just can’t tell her heart… the same as the rest of us.
Only God knows the heart and our motives… and if we’re acting and telling lies… like Lola.
June
Sunday, August 17, 2014 @ 5:21 pm
I’ve always believed that omitting information and allowing a person to believe an untruth, or not correcting a wrong assumption is the same as lying. Life is complicated. Sometimes telling the truth is painful. But big or small, a lie is a lie and it grieves the Holy Spirit. A good word, brother. BTW your dogs are adorable. I chuckled at your description of Lola “punching” you. Too funny!
Floyd
Sunday, August 17, 2014 @ 6:34 pm
Well put, June. Truth is truth and no amount of justification changes it. Yeah, Lola gets so excited at dinner time that she runs full speed at me and jumps up and hits me with both paws. I’m not sure if their morning treats or their dinner is the best part of their day, but I do know they’d do anything to get more of them! Thanks, June.
Hazel Moon
Sunday, August 17, 2014 @ 7:39 pm
Our Luke does a soft punch with his nose when he wants something – – for him he would rather chase his toy squirrel, than eat. That soft punch does get our attention. Now Smoke will eat anytime and he would even lie to get extra food.
I enjoyed your illustrations about lies and how our actions lie without our having to say a word. This is a great post and it will look good at “Tell me a True Story.”
Floyd
Monday, August 18, 2014 @ 5:16 pm
You and I appreciate a good animal story, Hazel! I like hearing about yours for sure1 Thanks for sharing and for letting me share mine on your awesome site.
Ceil
Sunday, August 17, 2014 @ 9:26 pm
Hi Floyd! You make a very timely point for me. I was talking to a friend and she said “I think I’m not as nice as I seem…” It sounded funny, but we all have thoughts that would betray our calm exteriors at times. I don’t know if that would be called lying or not, but it does set up an interesting point.
Your dogs are adorable, by the way!
Ceil
Floyd
Monday, August 18, 2014 @ 5:20 pm
I’m with you, Ceil. It’s a tough call, a fine line between being mannerly and hypocritical sometimes. My hunch is that we float over that line more often than we even know, me for sure! Thanks, Ceil.
Betty Draper
Sunday, August 17, 2014 @ 10:34 pm
My Dad use to tell me I could talk my way out of a paper bag…still can. My passionate personality makes a great sale person…I could sell you that paper bag. I was never known for telling those whopper lies but those little pretty ones, exaggerating a truth till it takes on a different color, I am pretty good at it. I can flatter with the best of them. Sometimes we think sin is ugly but flattery is pretty, pretty shallow really. The difference the Holy Spirit can make in a paper bag…thankful for the sweet conviction and the power to say I am sorry when I find my self stretching the truth so someone will like me better. Great post and I think your dogs are so cute and that is not flattery either.
Floyd
Monday, August 18, 2014 @ 5:26 pm
Great point, Betty. I know that passionate personality and the power it has to persuade! But it is also the gift from God to encourage, you’ve done that more often in your life than I suspect you’re ever gonna know this side of the curtain. I appreciate your honesty and humility, sister. I find that to be the heart of our Savior.
Larry was on the way home in the car with my wife and kids when my wife called to ask me about it. That was about eleven years ago. Of course the kids that promised to clean up after him are long gone! Lola was a give away that no one wanted… but my wife says it was God’s hand so they both would have each other… me? I’m not sure, but they have taught me work on my patience! Thanks, Betty.
Bill (cycelguy)
Monday, August 18, 2014 @ 2:51 am
Here I thought you had two of those “dogs” on your front seat. It is just a toy? 🙂 Funny how an animal can know it has been caught before many humans will ever acknowledge it.
Floyd
Monday, August 18, 2014 @ 5:27 pm
Yeah, there are a few pictures when Larry’s eyes are clear that people ask if he is real or not. Good point about the animals being more honest than humans sometimes, Bill! Thanks!
Pam
Monday, August 18, 2014 @ 6:56 am
So many times we downplay lying by renaming it–fibs, whoopers, stories. Other times we lie by what we fail to say–by not giving the whole story or by keeping silent, not saying anything at all. I have to confess to my shame that I am as guilty of “hiding the truth” as the next person.
Floyd
Monday, August 18, 2014 @ 5:29 pm
You’re not alone, Pam. I was writing from experience on this one. I’m always fascinated that the more mature we get the more easily we see and find our weaknesses. Thanks, Pam.
Lisa notes
Monday, August 18, 2014 @ 9:18 am
But Lola and Larry are so adorable! Are you sure we can’t trust them? 🙂
We’re all sales people–a piercing insight that I don’t like to think about, but probably should think about more….
Floyd
Monday, August 18, 2014 @ 5:31 pm
Trust me, Lisa, you can’t trust em’! Larry has to wear a diaper in the house… The more we know about ourselves the more we cherish our Father’s grace!
Bernard Haynes
Monday, August 18, 2014 @ 9:27 am
This post was spot on. The desires of the flesh can lead us to live a lie. I have seen in my life several times that I could fake for awhile, but it catches up with me. You can only get away with a lie for so long. It will get you in one way or the other. I learned I might as well live truth because you can’t fool God.
Floyd
Monday, August 18, 2014 @ 5:32 pm
Amen, Bernard. Well said, brother. We can fool ourselves, but not for long… not when we belong to our Father! Thanks, Bernard.
Barb Raveling
Monday, August 18, 2014 @ 6:18 pm
I couldn’t tell which dog was the real one and which one was the stuffed one! They’re both adorable. Which one is Lola? Our dogs do the exact same thing about lying when they’ve been fed, especially our little one who looks a little bit like yours. I agree that it’s easy to lie to ourselves and put on a front to get people to like us. I guess we have to be on our toes to detect the lies just like we do with our dogs. 🙂
Floyd
Monday, August 18, 2014 @ 6:38 pm
Oh they’re both real… real connivers too! Lola is the grey Lhasa, Larry is a Shih Tzu, but he’s a big one, about twenty five pounds of stubborn.
Scary that our animals are often more honest than us! Especially, when as Bill says, the confess long before we do when caught. Thanks for sharing, Barb. Amazing what our Father can use to teach us a lesson…
Jennifer Dougan
Monday, August 18, 2014 @ 6:38 pm
Cute little Lola dog. 🙂 Hi Floyd. It’s nice to be back here again,
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
Floyd
Monday, August 18, 2014 @ 6:39 pm
She is. She really is a good dog too.. at least she doesn’t have to wear a diaper in the house like Larry! Thanks, Jennifer. It’s good to have you back, sister.
Caleb Suko
Monday, August 18, 2014 @ 11:07 pm
Sometimes I wonder if we do the same type of “selling” with our church too. I mean it can be easy to tell others how amazing your church is and how great the music is and the preaching. In reality we still live in a fallen and broken world and we have to be careful that we are not overselling.
Floyd
Tuesday, August 19, 2014 @ 6:06 pm
Good call, Caleb. The older I get the more and more I find the genius in “action speaks louder than words”. Thanks, Caleb.
Dan Erickson
Tuesday, August 19, 2014 @ 4:28 pm
Is Lola a liar or an opportunist? I agree that we need to have an honest heart. So this is a good lesson as all of your posts, but maybe Lola is just being who she’s meant to be.
Floyd
Tuesday, August 19, 2014 @ 6:07 pm
You might have something there, Dan. After all, Lola wants to eat! So to her it’s not bad at all… “her might not even know her’s lying!” Thanks, Dan.
Sharon
Tuesday, August 19, 2014 @ 5:11 pm
Hmmm. So “whatever Lola wants, Lola gets” doesn’t always work?? That’s because someone wiser knows what’s better for her. This is what came to my mind reading this post – well, after reading this post, for during it I was really chuckling. Love dogs.
But are we any different? We are actors, greedy in our desires to fulfill our wants (not necessarily our needs), and always looking for a bone of recognition to come our way. Sometimes we are just a bundle of sin-filled natures trying to connive ways to please ourselves and make life more comfortable.
But fortunately, we are saved by Someone wiser who knows what’s better for us. And sometimes that “better” is not serving up what we want.
GOD BLESS!
Floyd
Tuesday, August 19, 2014 @ 6:09 pm
Well, well, said, Sharon! You depicted us to a “T”! And good call about the One who knows what’s better for us too. Excellent wisdom, as usual, Sharon! Thanks!
Dolly@Soulstops
Tuesday, August 19, 2014 @ 7:38 pm
Floyd,
Lola is too adorable and so is Larry…Lola sounds like our first dog Jubi and his keen sense of time when it came to feeding time…and you’re right, we can lie without saying a word…and the closer I get to God, the more aware I become of when I do it- which isn’t often but it is still wrong…and then sometimes the moment passes before I can correct the unintentional lie…you made me chuckle at your description of actors as salespeople…such a process of learning to be more like Christ in all areas of our lives…
Floyd
Wednesday, August 20, 2014 @ 5:59 pm
It’s amazing that we learn lessons from all of God’s creation… even our pets! It is indeed a lifelong process of learning, hopefully more learning and less re-learning! Thanks, Dolly.
Cheryl Smith
Wednesday, August 20, 2014 @ 5:11 am
Oh, my word! Those little, innocent eyes! Who would have thought this little cutie was even capable of trying to dupe her master? LOL! Your words are so true, Floyd. Makes me feel the need to truly examine some of my motives…am I doing what I am doing to promote self or to promote Jesus? It is all about Him…or should be anyway. Oh, to be 100% real…void of the desire to please others or wear the facades we think we have to in order to impress them. I am always blessed here and always leave inspired. God bless you.
Floyd
Wednesday, August 20, 2014 @ 6:02 pm
It’s funny how even God can use His sovereignty in our pets to make us examine ourselves… which is exactly what brought about this post! I hear your heart and I share your earnest desire to be real and without ulterior motives. And thanks, Cheryl, you’re an encouragement with your heart and wisdom. Thanks for sharing it.
Dave Arnold
Wednesday, August 20, 2014 @ 8:11 am
Well told, Floyd. It’s easy to deceive myself and think I am better than I am. But God does see our hearts and is constantly pushing us out of ourselves.
Floyd
Wednesday, August 20, 2014 @ 6:03 pm
“Pushing us out of ourselves.” Well said, Dave. It doesn’t take long to find out the truth, does it? Thanks for sharing, Dave.
Mike
Wednesday, August 20, 2014 @ 3:12 pm
A longing to be appreciated and accepted is a strong temptation to tell a lie outright, or by omission. I find that striving to be the kind of person I appreciate and respect makes me more appreciated and respected by others without without being deceitful. How’s that for a run on sentence? 🙂
Floyd
Wednesday, August 20, 2014 @ 6:05 pm
I say “run on – schmun on!” That was awesome wisdom, Mike! That’s the truth and that’ll preach, brother! Thanks for sharing this, Mike. It’s a great reminder.
Jason Stasyszen
Thursday, August 21, 2014 @ 1:26 pm
We want shorcuts and bypasses. We want what we want, when we want it, and sometimes that little lie is what we feel will open the door. It sounds innocent enough, but it’s a dangerous game, especially for a Christian. We aren’t in the kingdom of darkness any longer, but the kingdom of light. We operate on His principles and under His discipline. He’s not looking to punish us, but He is looking to grow us and He’ll use those opportunities in marked ways. All that said, so glad He has patience with me! I certainly need all the grace He gives me. 🙂 Thanks Floyd.
Floyd
Thursday, August 21, 2014 @ 6:06 pm
Well said, and that makes two of us, Jason! Thanks, man.
Jay Cookingham
Thursday, August 21, 2014 @ 4:14 pm
Dude…I never would trust a small dog to ever tell the truth…no matter how much they “hound” me!
Floyd
Thursday, August 21, 2014 @ 6:08 pm
How you are missed! It’s not often that I get to laugh out loud! Love that wit and humor! Those same two dogs are looking at me now as if I’ve lost my mind! I’ll blame them… Thanks, Jay. You are greatly appreciated, my friend.
Dan Black
Saturday, August 23, 2014 @ 6:19 pm
My dog does the same thing:)
We all struggle and have to fight against the temptations of life. It takes a daily focus onto God and away from our sinful nature to walk out a Godly life. Great read!
Nannette and the Sweetheart
Tuesday, August 26, 2014 @ 5:26 am
What a smile came over my face looking at those two adorable and INNOCENT faces, lol. Such a cute story and great analogy as always. ♥
Joanne Norton
Wednesday, August 27, 2014 @ 5:13 pm
As you revealed, trusting Him, to deal with us, to use us, to bring us closer and closer to His plans and His “job” that we must do is all we can count on You are a heart grabber, as usual. Sure would love to catch up on your writings, BUT I’m so buried in just making myself around and about in my own daily issues. Doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy my bro, every day of my life.