“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33  NLT

Writing about rest would not be complete without mentioning the ultimate rest we have in death. Upon returning from vacation with Famous I discovered a neighbor’s companion of many years had died. “Gertie” had lost her vision and most of her hearing, but she had remained a sweet dog giving joy and companionship until the end. My neighbor was grieving, and rightfully so, as I could not remember a time before the two of them started sharing this life together.

The day I held Famous for the very first time I also understood our lives were traveling together only temporarily on this earth. This has profoundly taught me about the importance of the present moment, whether it is with your pet, your patients, your family, or with your God. It is a shallow and wasted moment if it is only spent on indulging one’s self, even if this applies to restful and relaxing getaways. But when given to God, even those vacations from the “real” world can give renewal, inspiration, and preparation for living your faith.

The order of this world mandates that all creatures shall live and die. You can ignore this fact or embrace it, but it is my belief the most enlightened souls are the ones who live anticipating death–not in a fearful way, but with reverence and opportunity. So today, I will take a moment to lie down next to Famous, listen to his heartbeat and feel his breath, and revel in the moment.

Dear Jesus, remind me to live my life in peace, fully confronting my mortality with courage because You have conquered sin and death. 

 

“You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.”  I Peter 3:4  NLT

Famous is so gentle and quiet, I am afraid he would not be noticed at all were his appearance less than striking. It is his coloring, markings, profile, and grooming which cause complete strangers to approach us to inquire about his breed and comment on his good looks. Even as we were taking a morning walk in a different city two days ago, a man stopped his car, rolled down his window to tell me what a handsome dog I had.

And these brief encounters might be remembered through the day and then quickly forgotten, but what I expect lasts longer is the impression Famous makes when people desire to meet him. Famous rarely has any objection, and after a confirming nod from me he approaches the new face and almost instantly rolls over for a belly rub. His looks may have grabbed the attention, but his gentle, submissive behavior with a declared new “neighbor” makes a lasting impression.

Why is a “gentle and quiet spirit…so precious to God?” It is not because this makes us more attractive or appealing to our Creator who already loves us beyond measure. And there might be some merit for this attribute making us approachable to others. But I believe it is precious to God because someone who can keep a holy gentleness is someone who knows how to walk with God. It is someone who knows each moment is blessed when we acknowledge God’s presence. This is the person who can hear God because he is not drowning Him out with his own voice. And this is the person who can find deep courage and rest when others who are used to the sounds of their own voices are wailing and blaspheming.

Today God, teach me how to find my inner beauty and strength. 

“Let my soul be at rest again, for the LORD has been good to me.”  Psalm 116:7  NLT

I try to do right by Famous. I try to be a good master and companion. And Famous responds with much trust in our routine situations. Occasionally, however, I will throw him a curve, and he will not like it. If I tell him to sit and stay, he obeys very well as long as he understands the potential outcome. That is, he expects for me to be accessible, even if I walk into another room or disappear down the store aisle. But if I give the same command and walk beyond a closed glass door, as I did the other night, he starts barking to bring me back. He does not like the separation.

Are we the same way when we walk with the Lord? Do we obey willingly as long as things are “going as expected”? But when the unexpected happens, when we are afraid and feel out of control, do we forget to trust Him? Let us never allow fear to be our motivation, and never let us settle for “better than the alternative”. Let us claim the assurance that our Master has cast away all fear, and let us remember his plans for us will always be the best.

As I encounter forces which I do not understand and cannot control today, God, help me to see Your will and find rest.

 

“So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.”  Mark 6:32  NLT

One place where Famous will not willingly follow me is into the shower. Maybe once or twice as a puppy he was curious to see where I was going behind the glass shower door, but once he realized it was that place where you get wet he was content to let me go it alone. So this became a time he had to himself, often a prelude to my leaving him alone, or occasionally setting out together for the day. He usually, therefore, will take the opportunity to climb up onto the bed for a bit of undisturbed rest while I proceed with the shower.

There is a need for daily reflection and retreat. We cannot vacation each day, but we can withdraw from the bustle to breathe, pray, and re-energize. I have found that even a few seconds can give new energy to the task at hand, especially if God has directed the effort.

Father, remind me of Your ever-abiding Spirit of renewal.

“But Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.'”  Luke 9:58  NLT

Growing up in the sixties I remember our family pet had a “house” set at the back of the yard. This was Ginger’s doghouse, and it is where she had shelter from rain and snow. In the summer, my father would have her sheared to help her in the summer heat. She received no other grooming throughout the year. In the winter time, we lined the little house with straw to help her retain what little heat she could. I do not remember ever bringing her indoors even during the worst of weather.

Famous has a comparitively evolved existence as my house is his house. He can sleep wherever he likes in our temperature controlled abode. He gets brushed daily. And for those particularly cold winter nights he has his own doggie blanket to wear while resting in his memory foam bed near the fireplace. Tough life!

I loved Ginger, but this was the accepted practice in owning pets. Dog food could be bought on grocery store shelves, but there were no specialty pet stores with designer foods, hoodies, or a wide assortment of toys. She was there to be with us when we played outside. My few memories of her consist of feeding her, listening to her bark at box turtles, watching her give birth to a couple of litters which were all given away, and being told that she was suffering in her old age and needed to be put down. I remember she once snapped at a neighborhood child who had somehow disturbed her, but otherwise she retained the title of “best dog ever.”

Christ had no place to rest his head in part because his work had not yet been accomplished and because his heavenly home awaited him. Whether we live in luxury or on skid row, this is not our permanent residence. We are at fault if we do not believe there is a heaven, but we are also in error if we live our lives as if we will never die or be accountable for our sins. Our bodies require rest, but our souls can never rest until we have completed all that God has set before us to accomplish.

Father, forgive me when I selfishly seek rest from Your will. Help me to remember You will supply all of my needs.

“Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.”  I Peter 3:8  NLT

For me, having a pet means striving to be at one understanding with him. Because I desire our coexistence to be harmonious, I work to know his needs before he does. The commands I give are more for his benefit than for my pleasure. And should he need my assistance, he is pretty handy at getting my attention.

This could not happen if I did not elect to sympathize with his being and energize my efforts with the love I feel for him. I know his response and cooperation with me is mostly instinctive, but in those instincts I believe he knows my well-being affects his outcome.

For people who cannot sympathize with others the world will always seem to be against them. They can easily be motivated by fear because they forget the history of God’s love for his people and the cycle of human war and revolt. These words from Peter are the key to a world at rest and peace. They are as timely now as ever.

Teach me to listen and to hear. Melt my heart of stone and teach me to forgive those who are blind.

 

“So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: ‘Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.'”  Hebrews 4:6-7  NLT

Famous has a will of his own. He is often very good to work with me making it look like I am in control. But many times I can tell he thinks his way of doing things is better than mine. Perhaps his sense of hearing or smell gives him information I cannot detect. Perhaps he can just be stubborn. But when it comes to differences of opinion, I try to give him the benefit of the doubt and figure out why it is he is trying to assert his will over mine. It is not unusual for me to find he had the right idea all along.

But in most matters, he finds rest in the knowledge that he can trust me, and the patterns we have established for our relationship assure him he will be alright. For example, he trusts me to leave him alone in his crate in the back of the SUV without even making a whimper. He knows he is safe, and he knows I will return.

God wants us to find rest in him. We can be assured of this by walking daily with him and experiencing his nurture, guidance, and protection. It can be a welcomed retreat when it would otherwise seem we should be living in fear and disappointment.

My heart yearns to know, God, that You will always guide and love me. Grant me that peace today which only You can give.

“But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”  Proverbs 1:33  NLT

The world is full of many voices. A dog needs to be able to discern and react to his master’s voice. I remember when Famous was in puppy school the instructor taught the owners to speak often and directly to our dogs. From an early age Famous needed to know my voice from all of the other voices in a crowd. By speaking to him (mind you, this was a little strange since I was living alone) he could learn the names of objects in my southern twang as well as the tone of my voice. He knew what the meaning of treat, out, and “whizz” (which became a very helpful command during quick trips out in the dark or the rain).

Our society has become inundated with voices throughout the day. We even have artificial voices now that can wake you up or give you directions! There are voices that tell us what to eat, what to wear, how to find love, and what to believe. There are even voices that will tell you exactly what you want to hear, whether or not it is true. And there are voices that will deceive you without regard to your wellbeing.

Just as it is important for Famous to follow my commands, trusting I only have the best of intent for him, so it is with us and our Father’s voice. It is the voice against which all other voices can be weighed. His is the voice which can pierce the darkness, comfort the lonely, and calm the waters. It may seem strange at first if you have not practiced the art of listening to God’s voice, but it will soon become second nature, just as it became natural for me to talk to Famous throughout the day.

Dear God, if this is a day where fear presents itself, help me to hear only Your voice of truth and love.

“Then Jesus said, ‘Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.’ He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.”  Mark 6:31  NLT

One of the questions of pet ownership is what to do with him when you go on vacation. Why not take him with you? Famous does very well with our daily routine, but as hard as I try, I cannot avoid leaving him on the periphery when my day gets complicated. So to promote renewal, bonding, and stimulation, he gets packed up with the suitcase and off we go!

On a road trip Famous is with me 24/7. This takes planning and maneuvering, and cooperative hosts. The bonus for Famous are all the new sites, smells, and sounds. For me, I have companionship, an instant conversation starter with complete strangers, and an extra sense of security. Win-win.

Christians have a responsibility, and in fact an example in Christ, to allow retreat into their lives. Taking a break from a hectic world can give new perspective and direction for accomplishing God’s will. The insight and energy God will give you can last long after the vacation is over.

Even today, God, give me moments of renewal and refreshment!

“So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?”  Ecclesiastes 2:24-25  NLT

When he was just a puppy, it was hard to feed Famous fast enough. At meal time, he was ready for the food before it hit the bowl. And before I could put his dog food bag away he would have finished his portion in the bowl. He obviously had a need to eat and took great pleasure in it.

As he grew I also learned he was most satisfied when he had a purpose, whether that purpose was following a command, being gentle with children, or just being by my side. The worst thing for a dog or a human is to have no purpose, to exist from day to day for no reason.

These are God-given desires and pleasures. The secret is knowing that only God can provide for our physical and spiritual needs. He does so appropriately. If we try to usurp his supply, we may fall victim to avarice and gluttony. And, I do think these gifts are most enjoyable when we remember to give thanks to God for them.

Teach me, Father, to understand and appreciate the pleasures you have brought me. Help me share with others out of that abundance.