“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. 

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