March 1

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5  NLT

When Famous would go to show competitions, it was only after weeks of preparation. Both of us were novices, but to his credit he was an eager learner. My goal was to allow him to feel as comfortable as possible while following the directions I needed to give to him. We were a team, and we needed each other in order to perform well. We were learning how to respond and react together.

Once you begin to see how people work with dogs, whether they are dogs for the blind or disabled, military or police dogs, therapy pets or companions, you can understand the fruits of a mutual relationship. In much the same way, God wants us to perform at our best, to come the closest we can to be the perfect creations He intended for us to be. But this can only happen if we are intentionally striving to be in his presence.

Father, teach me to walk with You in paths of service and to allow You to transform me into Your creation, not my own.