Shedding

In the winter horses accumulate a thick coat to protect them from the weather. Come spring, it falls off in huge pieces. I could stand and groom Mr. Asia who looked like he had wallpaper falling off his sides and after some work with the shedding blade, a beautiful shiny coat would emerge.

However Sunny my shepherd mutt sheds all year. I can see chunks of hair protruding from her coat. I pull them off, but if I decide to brush her, no matter how long I brush, when I stop hair always floats loose on her coat, so I'm never really done and little progress can be seen, despite the pile of hair that could stuff a pillow.

Lately God's theme for me has been dying to self. I would like to brush away my "self" like I used to a horse's coat, in large satisfying pieces that left a sheen underneath. Or better yet like a snake sheds skin in one miraculously removed piece. But instead my self clings to me like Sunny's hair, always needing daily removal, constant vigilance. Lord give me perseverance to keep shedding.