You’ve all heard me talk about my new puppy, Teddy.  He is a real joy…well…most of the time that is!  But, sometimes, he frustrates me no end!  Take this past Sunday for example.  He is house-broken for the most part, but still has an accident once in a while.  On Sundays, we have to shut him up in a kennel cage, or the bathroom to contain him, and any messes he may make.  This past Sunday, we were gone an extra- long time because of a meeting we had to attend after the service. I put Teddy in the bathroom so he would have more room to move around since I knew we would be gone for a longer time.  I gave him his “blankie”, food and water, toys, chew sticks…and a puppy pad with explicit instructions on “how to” use it! We had left the house that morning at 8 o’clock, and didn’t return home until almost 4 p.m.  Needless to say, I had a mess to clean up when I arrived!  Instead of taking his mess to “the safe place” on the puppy pad, and leaving it there…he decided to leave it in the middle of the floor! I was already exhausted from the long, tedious day, and now, I was faced with the task of cleaning up a dirty mess!  I must confess…I WAS frustrated!  My flesh rose up, and I wanted to throw him outside and leave him there! Then…he looked up at me with his big, brown eyes, tail tucked between his legs, and I saw his contrite spirit pleading for mercy!  Of course…that’s what he received! Then, I thought of myself.  How many times do I frustrate God?  How many times do I abuse His gift of mercy?  How many times has He told me to take my mess to Him…”the safe place”, and leave it there? …But, I in my carelessness, I leave it in the middle of somewhere, and cause an unnecessary situation that He is left to clean up!  Then, realizing what a mess I’ve made, come to Him with a repentant heart and plead for mercy…and of course…that’s what I receive from Him! Next time we get frustrated with our pets, children, spouses, co-workers, friends, neighbors, and yes…even our enemies…let’s stop and remember how many times we have caused frustration to others, and ESPECIALLY to God Almighty, and been forgiven; then showing mercy will come easy!