Intentionality and the “Lyle” Syndrome

Our son had the best dog that ever lapped water from the face of the earth. His name was Lyle - a black lab with more sense and sensitivity than you can imagine.

You’re having a conversation about food, come back later and he’s retrieved a bag of Ramen noodles from the shelf. Unopened…he wouldn’t want to upset you. It was like he knew what you were talking about. He was amazing.

But intentionality wasn’t Lyle’s strong suit. When you let him out to pee, he’d walk a few feet, sniff, and change direction, relieving himself somewhere you (nor he) would have thought about when you walked out the door. Then, he’d sniff again and be off to wherever. Another sniff, another change of direction. You could call him, but never interrupt him. He was off on a totally unplanned adventure that had been determined, not by any thought or plan, but by the next “whiff” of something desirable that came his way.

A lot of us are living our lives that way. We go wherever our “nose” takes us. Our direction is determined by whatever feels the best, pays the best, looks the best on our resume, or seems the best to our friends.

Just like Lyle, we need a master… Someone who’ll come after us when we’ve gotten lost. Someone to help us hold back from things that can hurt us. And someone to lead us to the things that will truly satisfy us and give our lives meaning. And sometimes, a mentor can be the alter-ego of that Master who wants to guide our steps, to love us, protect us, and provide that intentionality--that purpose and meaning we all crave.

Question: Have you experienced the “Lyle syndrome”? Have you “wondered off the farm” and found yourself far from where you intended to be?

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