“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.”  Habakkuk 3:17-18  NLT

Spring could not be more beautiful this year! As much as Famous enjoys being in the fresh air, I am happy to celebrate the return of warmer winds and bountiful nature. Garden blooms are peaking and the bluebirds have returned to their house. We enjoy working in the yard and sitting on the deck, thankful for the sights and sounds and the ability to share them with each other.

But let us not forget to praise God at all times. Certainly it is easy when life is so good, when I can laugh at Famous chasing the squirrels and watch him dozing in a the cool shade on a lazy afternoon surrounded by a carpet of rose petals. By celebrating God’s goodness when life is easy, we can prepare ourselves spiritually for the days when life becomes a struggle, when the earth is not kind, and when we suffer in solitude. True joy comes not from the things we have, and it cannot be dissipated by harsh days. Rather God’s blessing comes in the awareness of his presence, in all times, and in all circumstances.

Dear Lord, I accept Your blessing upon me today and every day.

“O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures.”  Psalm 104:24  NLT

There are seventeen breeds of spaniels and nine of these are the sporting spaniels. The English Springer Spaniel, Famous for example, is one of the sporting dogs. Famous has a predominantly liver coat with white markings, but the standard also includes black and white, and tricolor coats. The coat is both beautiful and functional. In a healthy dog there is a glossy sheen to the coat, and its thickness and length have made it impermeable to most brambles and briers.

It only takes a moment to look around (or up) to find something lovely and wonderful created by God. These are the creations which connect us to the One who created us.

Forgive me, Father, when I refuse to recognize your hand in the beauty around me today.

 

“And so, my children, listen to me, for happy are all who follow my ways. Listen to my counsel and be wise. Don’t ignore it.”  Proverbs 8:32-33  NLT

As much as I would love for Famous to be able to roam the neighborhood on his own, I understand the value of having him on a lead. For one thing, he expects this ritual, and it gives him confidence that I will accompany him on both short and long hikes. Next, it reinforces commands he is to follow knowing traffic is something to anticipate, not complicate. And then there are those special times like this morning when a snake appeared in the road. Famous was a few steps in front of me, but I was able to see this was no branch in the middle of the street as we see so often following storms. I was successful in redirecting his path and then see that the creature had probably met his demise a few hours earlier while one of my neighbors was leaving. Whether or not the strike was intentional, I was glad the obstacle presented no danger to either of us.

Without forcing his children, God gives happiness to us when we listen and obey. We are wise to realize He sees dangers before we know they are there, and He grants protection if we only obey Him.

Father, I do not know everything that waits to trick, trap, or tantalize me today. Make me mindful of your instruction before I am ensnared. 

“Everyone will live in peace and prosperity, enjoying their own grapevines and fig trees, for there will be nothing to fear.”  Micah 4:4  NLT

Famous has a few choice spots in the yard where he is most content. The first one which comes to mind is under the shade of a big oak tree in the back yard. There is a little rise behind the house, and the elevation gives him a perfect line-of-sight in two directions where he can see anything approaching from the driveway or behind the neighbors’ homes. He appears to be at perfect peace having escaped the confines of the house and fearless as a lion over all he surveys. He can enjoy the cool of the shade while keeping vigil at the same time.

These words from Micah are meant to encourage us to not lose hope in current days. As much as we try to provide the ideal world for our own pets, we must realize that our lives can be devastated by wars, poverty, and fear. But God promises a time when the world will be at peace and everyone will share the bounty of the earth. Such a place cannot exist where people deny God’s sovereignty and hoard the earth’s resources for their own purposes. As long as people worship greed and power, other people will suffer with want and fear.

Dear God, help me to be a better steward of the blessings You bestow each and every day. 

“I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I am the Lord. You will see that I have done everything just as I promised.”  Ezekiel 37:14  NLT

Our lives are full of circles: openings and closings, greetings and farewells. I walk out with Famous each day, and at some point we turn around for home. I drive off to work during the week with the same ending — I get to head home when the day is done. Famous is a pretty good navigator when we walk the neighborhood. He knows the familiar route. When given a choice he sometimes chooses a different path, but usually he is excited to be walking just about anywhere. However, he does not like to retrace his steps. So whether we walk back on the opposite side of the street or I let him cut behind a house instead of in front, we eventually do end up back at the same front door.

The greatest circle in our lives leads us back to the throne of God. Having been separated from him by sin, our journey is not complete until we return to the Source of life, to our Creator. We may choose a difficult path every now and then, and sometimes we become lost, but God is always there directing and protecting if we are truly trying to find our way home.

Today, dear Lord, fill my heart with the hope and encouragement of your leading and protection. 

“God surely knows where [wisdom] can be found, for he looks throughout the whole earth, under all the heavens. He made the winds blow and determined how much rain should fall. He made the laws of the rain and prepared a path for the lightning. Then, when he had done all this, he saw wisdom and measured it. He established it and examined it thoroughly. And this is what he says to all humanity: ‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.'”  Job 28:23-28  NLT

On days when showers stop and start all day long, a dog walker has to watch the skies, or in my case a weather app, to know when a short walk will be possible. It may mean stopping a project or a TV program just to take advantage of a few minutes when Famous and I will not get soaked. A springer’s coat allows him to repel some moisture, but a saturated coat can stay wet for a long time.

When he was a year old, I bought Famous a yellow doggie slicker. It worked well once I was able to get it on him, and that was no easy feat. First, all four paws had to be placed in small sleeves. (I found front, then rear, worked best if he remained patient.) Then a Velcro strip was fastened down the entire back of the jacket. And finally, yes, there was a hood that attached as well. Dressing him was quite the achievement! But my satisfaction was diminished by his look of disdain. Happily, he didn’t seem to mind once the opportunity to leave the house presented itself. He quickly outgrew the slicker, and it was never replaced.

It may have been foolish trying to protect Famous in such a way from the elements. What is not foolishness is the awareness he brings to me of God’s presence. Famous is a source of joy and satisfaction because God has measured our affection and the time we have together and has poured it out in abundance. In this case, “fear” of the Lord can easily be understood as acknowledgement of his role in our everyday lives.

Teach me, O Lord, to find You in the order of the day and the circumstances in which I find myself. 

“Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.”  Psalm 33:2  NLT

As April slips into May and warmer winds caress the earth, there are but a few crisp nights which prohibit the final packing away of scarves and sweaters still needed to walk Famous. On those early mornings when the house still requires the mild use of the furnace, Famous might spend a few moments in his dog bed nestled under his soft blanket while I make coffee and plans to get the day started. You could hardly see him budge once he has found the right spot, and I hate to disturb him even to suggest we see what’s going on out in the yard.

To follow Christ we have to allow ourselves to find the right spot of tranquility, obedience, and understanding. His mantle of love surrounds us with encouragement, protection, and blessing, allowing us to mature in faith and Christian service. His love is undeniable and easily detected in those who put others first and deny themselves to honor him. Many others will claim to be Christian in order to sway approval, but unless you see God’s blanket of love about them, you can trust they are not speaking with his authority.

Let me wear your blanket of love, Lord, that I might confidently preach your truth. 

 

“His clothing was as white as snow, his hair like whitest wool.”  Daniel 7:9b

Springers have striking coloring and markings with their dark black or liver coats against impressive white feathering. When groomed and clean, they can be quite majestic. Famous often gets compliments on our walks outside the neighborhood, particularly by those who know springers. Even when I am aware he needs a bath, people will ask me how I keep his hair so white!

In the narrative of Daniel’s vision of the four beasts, the ultimate victor is the “Ancient One” or the “Ancient of Days.” With clothing “as white as snow” and “hair like whitest wool” the Lord issues in the everlasting reign and bestows it upon his holy people forever. History will have its time when cursed leaders will have power, but they will ultimately be destroyed. As followers of Christ, the one to whom God gives all authority, honor, and power, we must be vigilant against those who do not honor the Ancient of Days, our God Who always was and Who shall forever be.

God, I call upon your eternal Presence to preserve me and those I love. Teach me to honor You all of the days of my life.

“But God made the earth by his power, and he preserves it by his wisdom. He has stretched out the heavens by his understanding.”  Jeremiah 10:12  NLT

I suppose few things could make me happier than sitting under the full expanse of the night sky with Famous on a beach. Add a full moon, and you might hear us both howling in grateful praise! The advantage of taking him for nightly walks is a rekindling of my love of astronomy and keeping up with the phasing of the moon and the march of the planets. We also catch quite a few shooting stars. Perhaps for a short time we can be the earthly version of Orion and Canis Major (the Great Dog), two of my favorite and brightest constellations.

The more science discovers new horizons on our planet and in the universe, the more I am convinced there is a power that set the universe in motion and governs it by His wisdom. Even leading minds have questioned how all of this could be completely random. Still, it is fascinating how we discover new principles and players all the time which challenge us to see beyond what we already know.

The hope given to all of us is that even after a hard day’s work in the heavens, God still ordained that Famous and I should be together in this place at this time. Perhaps, one day, too, we will be in the heavens as well.

God, help me to see your love for me in the beauty of the universe.