“For you bless the godly, O Lord, surrounding them with your shield of love.”  Psalm 5:12  NLT

Famous is a fairly brave dog–in his own house. He is swift to notify me of anything from a stranger to a stray cat that might threaten our home. Outside the house, he is smarter than brave. He is more of a quiet observer, taking stock of anything that is out of place or worth his curiosity. But his reflexes give him away whenever there is a sudden movement from a bush or a loud bang. He will give a startled hop with a look to see if I saw or heard it too.

He also knows to listen to me at busy streets, to ignore the barks of noisy dogs, and to stay within eyesight if off-leash in the woods. I become his shield when we journey together, and my simple commands must be obeyed or we stop in our tracks until he complies. He may not know the full reasoning for my command, but he has come to learn to trust me for the beneficial outcome. I have learned it is better to avoid potential hazards than to have to react suddenly to them with dog in tow.

I must also learn to obey all of God’s commands, not just the easy ones, for He knows far beyond my understanding the potential dangers which lie all around me.

God, may your shield of love clear any danger from my path today. 

“Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:39  NLT

My traveling days almost ceased once Famous came home with me. But on occasion a conference or trip would come along where we were separated for several days.

I remember the first time this happened. I had to fly across the country and be separated from Famous by distance and time. I frequently checked on him to see how he was doing. I was told he was always trying to find me and refused to eat for a day or two. Our reunion was a relief for both of us. (He also learned to dislike the sight of me retrieving a suitcase from the attic.)

When God is missing from our lives, we are bound to find them fraught with mistakes and unnecessary worry. How reassuring it is to know there is no place on earth or in our hearts where God’s love cannot reach.

Christ, today I am mindful of the bond of love which can never be broken. 

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away.”  Romans 8:38  NLT

I believe love transcends time and space. It endures. It is invincible. It can leap tall buildings in a single bound! It casts out fear, and it can free us to find the best in ourselves and helps us to reach our greatest potential.

I hope we all can agree love is  a pretty nice “high.” Not everyone believes in such lofty pursuits. Perhaps they feel unloved, or selfish desires have darkened their hearts. We all have times in our lives when things just are not working out the way we had planned.

I so enjoy the fun days with Famous, when we can take a hike to the top of a mountain or walk along the warm sands of the beach. But perhaps what is most satisfying is knowing he is there daily through those long months when life’s pressures and uncertainties seem never ending. He is a reminder love can handle the easy and the not so easy times.

Today I am overwhelmed that God’s love is always there and always available.

“‘O Israel and Judah, what should I do with you?’ asks the Lord. ‘For your love vanishes like the morning mist and disappears like dew in the sunlight.'”  Hosea 6:4  NLT

Famous has a stubborn streak in him. It is part of his personality which shows itself every once in a while. You can see him processing in his mind whether or not he will obey me or follow his own will. I have always known about it since he came into my life. His breeder would not allow me to sign his contract until she added in writing a stipulation, regarding his trait, upon which I could return him in exchange for another puppy if I were not completely satisfied. Apparently, his father had this “strong will” as well.

His behavior reminds me how fickle any of us can be in following the will of the Lord. We know we should behave one way, but we end up doing the opposite. We cannot see beyond the moment, and our defiant nature fools us into thinking we know what is best.

I rather laughed to myself when I signed the contract. I did not think I would ever be able to tell whether or not a dog was “stubborn.” As I watched him grow into a sweet, well-tempered dog, I also learned to accept a certain level of exacerbation whenever he disobeyed.

Father, forgive my disobedience today. Help me learn to not waver in my love for you.

“We love each other as a result of his loving us first.”  I John 4:19  NLT

Cause and effect: the doorbell rings and Famous reacts with loud barks and a mad dash to the front door. Or, he grabs his leash from the closet doorknob, and I know he needs to go outside. He and I have rituals that enable us to have something of a shared understanding of how our lives work together.

I try to let this same concept guide me with regards to other people. My reaction to God’s love for me should be the love I have for those who fill my world from the morning commute to the drive home. But this can only happen if, when the day is new, I remember the love God pours out upon me.

Famous is a great reminder of God’s love. I give thanks for his companionship and the lessons he brings while we have each other. When I cannot be at home to share his presence, then I am mindful to show others the joy and peace which comes into my life through him in hopes they will also have a glimpse of the source of all love. I am motivated to share the love Famous brings into my life until I am home again. He helps me work to make each day count–how I spend precious time with him and how I show God’s love to others.

Today, Lord, I am reminded of your love. May others come to know your love through me this day. 

“Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear.”  I John 4:18a  NLT

As Christians, we have been given the great opportunity of living in this world without fear. I say opportunity because, as human beings, we often forget our God is ever present. I must admit I have an increased sense of security knowing I have a dog. And although he is usually very mild-tempered and affectionate, he will alert me at any time, day or night, whenever the serenity of our little home is interrupted by strangers walking in the yard, car doors slamming in the driveway, or pesky crows or squirrels venturing within our fenced yard.

In turn, I have given Famous an existence protected from most dangers and stresses. (Perhaps he does worry whether his dinner menu will feature duck or salmon!) Of course, his instinctive nature does betray him whenever a tree branch moves unexpectedly or he sees a facial image in an object or a sign. The former produces a startled jump and side twist, while the latter causes him to begin a studious low growl followed by a series of sharp barks if he cannot determine the nature of his inanimate enemy. Usually, a word from me assuring him there is no danger is sufficient to allow him to return to his safe existence.

Dear God, allow me to hear your calm assurance when I feel afraid. 

 

“But then something happened! For it pleased God in his kindness to choose me and call me, even before I was born! What undeserved mercy!”  Galatians 1:15  NLT

However a pet comes into our lives–whether it be carefully chosen from a litter, rescued from a shelter, or welcomed as a stray in the neighborhood–the moment comes for us to choose to accept and care for it.

God’s mercy for each of us existed long before we knew him–before we were born! This completely shows his love to be unmerited. It is freely given. And whether deserved or not, the love we give our pets is received with the type of joy we should show in response to God’s mercy. God has chosen us to be recipients of his great love. We honor God when we choose to let love into our lives.

Today, God, allow me to receive your love and to practice acts of mercy throughout my day. 

“But you, O Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to get angry, full of unfailing love and truth.”  Psalm 86:15  NLT

We should take great comfort in knowing the love of God is unfailing. In this verse from the Book of Psalms we also see God’s anger is real. How do we accept these two aspects of the nature of God? Does anger exist alongside of love?

On one of our morning walks along our routine path, Famous took great interest in a patch of grass just beyond the entrance to our residential community. I am used to him taking long, deep sniffs of the morning grass as he registers any newly deposited scents. His nose went deeper and deeper into the grass and right into a burrow of baby rabbits. His head came up with two of the rabbits squealing in his mouth, certain to soon be his satisfying brunch.

I commanded him to drop his prey, but he would have none of it. He could hear my voice, but his instinct had greater control. Finally, with much disdain he allowed me to pry open his jaws enough to release the bunnies so I could return them to the burrow. In that moment I was angry with Famous for not obeying me. But this did not interrupt my love for him.

Perhaps we need to realize God has understanding beyond our disobedient natures. He will always guide us away from temptation in order to reveal his truth.

Today, God, teach me more about your mercy, for I know I have failed to listen to your voice. 

 

“But I lavish my love on those who love me and obey my commands, even for a thousand generations.”  Exodus 20:6  NLT

The greatest relationships are founded in love. And even though our hearts are designed to respond to love, we have to actively receive it with a heart that is willing. God tells us his love is “lavished” on the ones who love and obey. This tells us more about incentives than his consequential judgment. God is love. But only those who recognize his love, allow it to rule them, and share it by following his commandments, will begin to know fully to what extent God’s love can empower their lives.

By placing Famous into my world, God gives me the opportunity to be the provider who can joyfully lavish love on one of his creatures. Famous understands the provision, protection, and devotion which comes from me are beneficial to him. In turn, he has the capacity to show acceptance, affection, and obedience to me.

We should seek to allow the love of God to rule our hearts in all relationships. But first we must discipline our lives in order to understand and receive the true measure of his love.

Out of deepest devotion I open myself to your love and your commandments, O God.