64 Schatzi
- Siegfried Roeske shared the following story at the Generation of Youth for Christ conference 2009 during his lecture "A Love Affair with the Law":
Many years ago, Mr. Roeske bought a house near a busy intersection. His family had a dog named Schatzi, which is German for "darling." It was dangerous for Schatzi to be outside with the cars driving by, so Mr. Roeske had Schatzi on a chain in the front yard for its protection. However, it seemed to him a sad thing for the dog, so he and his family decided to save money to build a fence in the front yard. They were a poor family, so it took a lot of sacrifice and belt tightening to save up that money.
When they finally saved up enough money, the family went to the hardware store to buy all the necessary materials for the fence. The family toiled together, digging holes and putting in fence posts. It was hard and laborious work, especially in the summer, but the family didn't mind because they really loved Schatzi. Schatzi looked at its owners curiously as the family toiled to build the fence. Perhaps it thought, "What is my master doing? I wonder if I will like this." After a few weeks the family had finally built a fence with two gates in the front yard.
Oh, what joy the family experienced when they finally let Schatzi loose. The children had so much fun running around with Schatzi and playing fetch with Schatzi using sticks and balls. However, it came time that the children had to go to school and Mr. Roeske and his wife had to go to work.
Now Schatzi was home alone. Schatzi looked at the fence and thought, "I don't think my master love me anymore. This fence is too restrictive. I see that there is so much more out there, but I am stuck behind this fence. I think I will try to jump the fence and get out of here."
Schatzi took a running start and tried to jump the fence. However, Schatzi couldn't jump high enough and got caught in the wire and got mildly scratched in the process. "It's okay," thought Schatzi. "I'm young. I'll just keep practicing while my master is away. My master is not loving anymore! I want this city and all he gives me is this acre!"
One day, while Mr. Roeske was at work, the phone rang at 3 pm in the afternoon. It was his daughter on the phone. "Daddy, Daddy, come home quick! Something terrible has happened!" cried his daughter. Mr. Roeske couldn't make out the rest of what his daughter was saying because she was crying so hard. Mr. Roeske went pale and thought to himself that someone must have died. Mr. Roeske dropped everything and imediately raced home.
When Mr. Roeske approached his house, he saw a van for animal patrol. Mr. Roeske breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that it was not an ambulance. As he came closer, he saw his family gathered together, holding each other and sobbing. The people from animal patrol were a respectul distance away from Mr. Roeske's family. When Mr. Roeske came near his family, he saw that they were standing over the very still body of Schatzi, lying on the green grass between the street and the sidewalk. Mr. Roeske embrace his family and his tears started flowing, mixing with the rest of his family, as they fell gently on Schatzi's beautiful red coat.
Mr. Roeske felt like crying out, "Oh Schatzi, IF YOU COULD ONLY SEE THESE TEARS! And understand the mystery of the fence! At great sacrifice, at great cost, ALL FOR LOVE! For love, nothing less!"
God's love for us is embodied in the 10 Commandments. Every commandment is based on love - the first four commandments are about love for God and the last six commandments are about love for fellow man. When we break God's commandments, we are breaking love, not some gray stones. God's holy law was never to oppress the universe. It was given all in love. It was provided and protected at great cost and suffering. It will guide us throughout eternity. All because of love. Nothing less, only love.
- Recommended reading: Nehemiah 1:5, John 14:21
