“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”  Luke 15:4-7  NLT

I knew it was lost. It had been missing for at least three days. But somehow, Famous’ stuffed puppy dog was not to be found. He might easily have twenty or more toys cached behind the leather recliner in the living room, but I knew this particular inanimate buddy was a favorite, perhaps because it appeared to be a miniature likeness of himself. It had not been bought in a store, but Famous had selected it in a doctor’s office during one of my interviews. It was well constructed, limited edition, as it served as a pharmaceutical’s mascot for a new drug.  After he found it, it was “bestowed” upon him by the kind physician.

But now it had vanished. After giving the house a quick search, I wondered if Famous had finally succeeded in helping one of his toys to “escape” the confines of the house. Most days he tries to carry one of his possessions out into the yard and deposit it in the grass where it is easily forgotten. If the landscapers or neighboring pets had discovered it, it might have been curtains for “pup-pup.” But a thorough hunt in the yard and garden produced no evidence of the cherished toy.

With all of his other stuffed animals, balls, and chew toys, one might think “pup-pup” would never be missed. But unlike most of the other items in his basket which were treated with great enthusiasm but quickly forgotten, like childhood presents opened beneath the Christmas tree, this little guy had a fairly high popularity rating with Famous. So on the third evening of his disappearance, I set out with Famous to discover if it could possibly be still in the house. We looked under chairs, in dark corners, the floors of closets, and behind every piece of furniture. Finally, while looking under the bed for the third time with my flashlight, I found the lost animal stashed behind a shoe-shine box. Famous was most pleased!

We should never consider one of God’s children as insignificant, or unworthy of God’s love. It is with great joy that He greets anyone who has been lost and has found his way home. Religion may be used as a vehicle of hatred, but this is a bastardization of the true message of love and peace and homecoming given to us by Christ.

Thank You, Jesus, for finding and cherishing me.

“Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy.”  Psalm 65:8  NLT

The sun marks the seasons by it progression on the horizon. Traveling further north, the sun’s march gives us light and warmth until it journeys closer to the southern skies for the alternate winter darkness and cold. If you walk a dog, you pay closer attention to the outdoors, not just in how it looks and feels, but how it affects you and your pet.

We have special opportunities to mark the seasons. The summer holds a chance for a splash in a lake, river, pond, or ocean. Fall, with its crisp air, invites us for mountain hikes and vistas. Winter, brrrrr, requires layers for me but also a few days here and there for playing in the snow. Spring brings new life, and Famous and I find ourselves exploring gardens and spending time in our own.

These special events elicit pure awe and wonder and praise. But they are also a school for teaching me to find and share the delight of my dog each and every time we experience them. One day, when he is no longer here to show me how to celebrate life, I will remember to embrace with equal enthusiasm the pure joy of a moment in a day.

Help me to bow to You in awe today, Lord, for the joyous miracles You bestow. 

“Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in every way. This all happened on the sixth day.”  Genesis 1:31  NLT

Walking through the beautiful landscape of a nearby park yesterday, Famous and I encountered a friendly lady who wanted to have a closer look at him. She endorsed having a springer when she was young and how, as an adult, she had applied to help adopt springer rescues. She found the breed particularly lovely, and I agreed. After five minutes of conversation and a patient dog waiting to get on with his promenade, she wished us a nice day and let us continue.

Genesis explains creation in part by placing the creation of people and mammals on the same day. All of the seed and fruit bearing plants and trees would provide for them. In this garden there would be peace and harmony for a time.

We need to daily cultivate a garden where the mind is at peace, thoughts are inspired, and guests are welcome. God’s creative Spirit lives in each of us, and we can tend that garden with smiles, words of encouragement, and acts of generosity.

Dear Lord, may Your Spirit breathe new and creative life in me today.

“The king cried out to the man of God, ‘Please ask the LORD your God to restore my hand again!’ So the man of God prayed to the LORD, and the king’s hand became normal again.”  I Kings 13:6  NLT

How often I have felt restored by my dog’s presence! His faithfulness and devotion are never ending. I am constantly seeking ways to enjoy the world with him. There is no way I could be shut in from the world when Famous gets so much joy from being outdoors.

Our God is One who heals. He restores vision, and hope, and health. I have seen sickened spirits in people who believe in quick fixes and miracle cures, but God is the only one who can bring about complete healing.

Dear God, help me to see what it is in my life You are trying to restore. 

“Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act.”  Psalm 37:7a  NLT

What a sweet dog Famous is! Now that we are both “middle-aged” our activity level has been dialed down a notch. When he was a puppy, he ran four road races with me in one year! I was training for longer races, so we fueled each other’s enthusiasm.

Most mornings now have me lingering over a second cup of coffee while Famous patiently waits for the order of the day. He chills in the living room, or sometimes he sits out on the back deck by himself listening to the world awakening around him. In time, I will invite him to take our usual morning walk together and start our day. But whether we are enjoying a quiet Sunday morning or facing the frenzied activity of a workday morning, he has become a great reminder of the need to quietly embrace each day and watch for God’s leading.

Still my heart, Lord, and help me to contemplate the path You have prepared for me today.

“Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me.”  Psalms 66:16  NLT

After thinking of what makes Famous happy, along with his favorite treats and belly rubs, and realizing he desires love and attention and the presence of someone to make him safe, comfortable, and cared for, I realize that in reality I, too, have a short list for satisfaction. I want to be loved, and I want to know my life has made a difference.

The first has and will forever be accomplished, for God so loved me, He sent his only Son to die for me. My life is full of blessings, not the least of which is Famous who is spending his life journey through part of my own. And although the joys of health, provisions, and family may be temporary or inconsistent, I have known them throughout my life. Mine is a unique life which allows me to see and appreciate the beauty, accomplishments, and relationships experienced by others and find deep-felt joy in them. I feel connected to the Source of Life. I am aware of His abiding Presence.

The second on my list, knowing my life is purposeful, is less obvious to me. It requires daily inspection and commitment, for to me, the importance of life is knowing I am attempting to accomplish all that God asks of me. I do not see these things as an inexhaustible list, nor one that I can complete independent of God’s gifts and favor before I die. But because I do not know all that God can do through me, there must be a daily reflection on where I have been and a seeking for guidance to help determine where I must go. This, then, becomes my daily purpose: to be an instrument for God’s goodness. It demands that I start each day open to the new possibilities of giving Good News to everyone and end each day seeking forgiveness for not taking advantage of each of these opportunities.

Heavenly Father, help me today to turn my joy for Your love into devoted service.

“May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed.”  Psalm 20:4  NLT

It is said dogs are happier than people because the simplest things are the greatest things to them. Even so, I cannot always make Famous “happy” because I have to leave him behind often. He seems disappointed when he is left at home. But every time I leave, I have the opportunity and the pleasure to return and grant all of his wishes.

I believe there is a lesson here. Life can seem pretty complicated, and trying to figure it out can take more than a lifetime. But Famous has already figured it out! Life is knowing that happiness is being in the presence of love. And as impossible as it is for us to comprehend the nature of God, we can understand that the essence of God is love itself. The only thing which should concern us is how we can approach and remain in God’s presence.

“Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord to Thy precious, bleeding side.”

“On that day a fountain will be opened for the dynasty of David and for the people of Jerusalem, a fountain to cleanse them from all their sins and impurity.”  Zechariah 13:1  NLT

A garden hose can be very handy when you have been out with a dirty dog. Famous does not mind silt, sand, or mud, as long as he is out having a good time. But I know I will not have such a good time if all the muck gets tracked into the house. So with one hand on the hose and the other on his leash, I can usually help him to wash out most of what his coat has picked up in the great outdoors.

A kind Creator would also offer a way for us to be cleansed from an impure world. We now understand this was the fountain of Christ, given to wash us white as snow. As his provider, I have to observe that Famous is unclean and then make the decision to wash him with the hose. But we have to admit ourselves that we have sinned and are in need of the fountain of Christ.

Father, forgive my impurity and lead me to Your cleansing fountain.

“I know, LORD, that a person’s life is not his own. No one is able to plan his own course.”  Jeremiah 10:23  NLT

Could Famous have had any influence on where he would live and how he would spend his days? Of course, he had that adorable puppy face which helped me to select him, and I will at times give him the option of choosing which path to take. But he did not have much say so in my upbringing, education, career, or bank account. All of these things had a role in bringing us together and determining how he lives now.

Many of us would like to take credit for our successes and blame the government and anyone else but ourselves for our failures. But even though I believe our work, effort, and choices have consequences, I believe God directs the events that befall us. When I look back on my journey, I can see many pivotal moments that I did not predict but were perfectly orchestrated. I have been made privy to discussions that determined some of my achievements of which I had no control. And yet, there has been a beautiful flow of my life that carries me through the days and years.

So whether I chose Famous, he chose me, or God brought us together, there is an energy that propels me to make the most of it. And I believe that God will gently guide us.

Help me to live this day, Lord, seeking Your leading so that Your will shall be fulfilled.

” Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake.”  Isaiah 55:3a  NLT

Pets use the tones of our voices as much as they do the phrases we say to determine what they are supposed to do. I can use the word “outside” in fairly simple discourse, and Famous might raise an eyebrow. But when he hears the same word posed to him in a question with the inflection on the last word in the phrase, “Do you want to go outside?”, he looks up with tail wagging looking to see if I am heading for the door.

But he knows to listen for a special sound when we are outside if he should trot off just out of sight. If I need him to return, I simply whistle by placing my tongue behind my front teeth as though I were hailing a cab. This is the only time I ever make this noise, and he knows he needs to come back to me when he hears it.

It could be one day that this trick could save him from danger. Yet, Isaiah reminds us that our very souls are at stake if we ignore God’s voice. His is the distinct, unique call that rises above the din of life and can save us from eternal hell.

Tune my heart, O God, to hear You whenever You call.