“I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me.”  Psalm 3:5  NLT

It is my duty to provide a safe environment for Famous. But besides doing my job, I can tell Famous has an expectation he will always have care, and his gentle, gregarious manner proves he trusts me and others. Even while traveling, when we are around complete strangers, he believes everyone will treat him well. It’s my job to make sure they do.

And while we are away, he does not have his familiar surroundings and his favorite spots for sleeping. Instead, he finds security instinctively by sleeping near my foot or leg so that he would be alerted if I had to leave or react in the middle of the night.

God never will abandon us. He gives us the opportunity to experience his love and protections in order to accomplish great things for his purposes. He understands our need for restorative sleep in which we rely on his consistent love.

God, help my thoughts today to be bold because of Your steadfastness .

 

“Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again. Then the angel of the LORD came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God.” I Kings 19:3-8  NLT

It can be a bit complicated when traveling with a dog. Recently, we had the good fortune to take a vacation covering hundreds of miles each day and staying in different cities and hotel venues. It is always appreciated to see the support and hospitality of our hosts whether in a hotel lobby or a sidewalk cafe. Famous is usually greeted with adoring tones and belly rubs, and restaurant staff are quick to bring him a bowl of water. Now, whenever I sit down, he has come to expect there will be water magically appearing almost instantly.

While God expects us to work for the Kingdom, He recognizes our human need for rest and sustenance. He provides for all of our needs, many without us being aware. It may seem at times that we are beaten, that we have missed out, or that we have nothing else to offer in life. But do not give up! There is new life and new meaning which flow from God’s grace. Listen for God’s direction which will also strengthen and renew.

Help me, Lord, in my distress. Help me to listen to my body’s physical need for rest and recovery.

“I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.”  Psalm 16:8  NLT

One of my favorite things about putting Famous in competition was doing our work together. We spent time training and traveling together and finally showing together. All of this activity made him even more comfortable being around me and trusting me to direct his stance, his gait, and his obedience. Much of the performance depends on the dog’s focus and ability to perform despite the distractions of other dogs and noises going on around him. It is the teamwork that makes or breaks the dog’s chances of winning.

God offers a daily opportunity to walk with him and follow his guidance. Obeying God teaches us how to manage the events in our lives which would otherwise destroy us. Feeling God’s nearby presence gives confidence to live life without fear and worry.

Help me, Lord, to follow Your lead.

 

“Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.”  Proverbs 17:28  NLT

I continue to find Famous’ personality remarkable. He is usually calm and well-tempered during our walks. This is even true when we encounter barking or “yapping” dogs throughout the neighborhood. I suppose it leads me to believe he is smarter, at least in the sense he plans on saving his energy for other things. I can just imagine him thinking when he encounters such a “hyper” dog,  “What’s your problem?” Of course, if the same dogs were to walk through his yard, he would probably alert me as well.

What never seems foolish is the testimony of a follower of Jesus Christ. Even though it may sound intimidating to share personal thoughts with others, it is foolish to think that another person will just know your faith by watching you. It is important to voice your heartfelt love for Jesus, especially in a day when others who profess Christ as Lord and Savior are barking out false and erroneous proclamations.

Jesus, give me boldness to speak and temperance to share only those thoughts You have revealed as true. 

“So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.”  Hebrews 4:11  NLT

Ever try to get that much needed night of rest but the dog is not sleeping and, instead, is barking every few minutes? It does not happen often, but whether he sees movement through the window or hears another dog barking or some frequency beyond the perception of human ears, I will experience an occasional night like this with Famous. I understand he is trying to alert me to something strange, and when I have tried to take him outside to prove everything is OK, we might have turned up the random opossum.

If we are trying to enter the blessed rest of heaven on earth or in eternity, we cannot pull the covers back over our heads and expect it to happen. We have to work to obey God’s commands so that others may join in the effort of securing that blissful shore. If not, our peace on earth is interrupted, and we may fall short of our eternal home.

Help me to work for You today, Lord, so that I may find blissful rest tonight and in that promised day to come. 

“In that wonderful day when the LORD gives his people rest from sorrow and fear, from slavery and chains…”  Isaiah 14:3  NLT

Famous gets his heartworm and tick prevention once a month. And soon he will be vaccinated against Lyme’s disease. Without these precautions he runs the risk of exposure to vectors which could harm his health. He is calm while he gets his inoculations, and the monthly tablets are easily consumed with his supper. My fears of leaving him unprotected during the warmer months when we might hike though woods and meadows are relieved.

It would be nice if even these precautions were not necessary. But God does promise freedom from all despair to those who proclaim him Lord and are willing to join him in the day of salvation. Certainly, a life lived without fear of abandonment or enslavement to sin and evil is one worth receiving.

Today, free my heart from fear and worry so that my life can be a living testimony of Your grace.

“But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”  Mark 4:37-40  NLT

Out of the still night came the booms of fireworks exploding around our house. It was our Independence Day, and people were taking advantage of the opportunity to celebrate with the loud and colorful “artificial fire.” Famous alerted me to the noise, and I told him not to worry. But I knew he would not be satisfied until he could make sure nothing was threatening us.

So off we headed through the neighborhood with bangs and whistles firing off around us. He remained calm even though he was annoyed by the erratic and loud noises. Once around the block and he was ready to head indoors convinced the sounds were not right outside our house.

Storms may threaten our well-being, our health, our neighborhoods or our way of life. Out of the dark an evil can possess someone to commit murder or terror. And many wonder “Where was God?” or “How could He allow this to happen?” The answer is He is alway with us. He is with us as the sense, the reason, the calm returns. He is in the good Samaritans, the first responders and the medical teams that help us through the chaos. He teaches us to not give in to fear but to grow in faith.

Jesus, protect me this day from tragedy, but even so, keep me mindful of Your abiding presence.

“O LORD, please rescue me from the hand of my brother, Esau. I am afraid that he is coming to attack me.”  Genesis 32:11  NLT

We were walking our usual walk around a neighborhood park. On the other side of the park I noticed a boy with a small dog on a leash. At some point I heard the boy yelling, “Lucky!” and I turned to see the dog had escaped his owner and was running towards Famous. He was calm enough at first, but once the boy arrived and tried to untangle Lucky’s lead from ours, the little dog starting growling and snapping at Famous. Famous, being tangled in the leads as well, barked in defense as I stepped between them while untwisting the leads. In seconds the crisis was over, and the boy offered a “sorry” as he left with Lucky in tow.

We often forget God is ready to step in just when we need him most. Life can change in a moment, and unless we are used to calling on his name, our thoughts may not turn to him during a catastrophe. Instead, we allow fear to rule our minds and exacerbate the circumstances.

Dear God, teach me the steps of daily communion with You so that I may not fear any changing circumstances. 

“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:29-31  NLT

When Famous was all but four months old I took him on his first real hike. I parked the car at the top of the mountain at the visitors’ center, attached his leash, and off we went down the unfamiliar trail. It was a warm day, so I was grateful we were walking in the shade of tall trees. His short puppy legs had grown over the summer into long, lanky, “teen-age” ones, and he was eager to pull me along the path. We passed a few other hikers, everyone enjoying the warm air. As the trail approached the side of the mountain it became so steep I knew we would have a pretty tough time trying to retrace our steps to the car.

Suddenly, we met the main road that ascended the mountain. I knew we could follow it back up to the top where the car was parked. But the road was narrow, and we had to be aware of traffic coming around the curves before and behind us. And without the trees to give us cover, it became hot walking up the asphalt. Famous, who had never a day in his life walked this far, began to pant and look at me with that, “Are we having fun yet?” look on his face. By taking the road, we increased our walking distance by three or four times what the trail had offered, and it was a steady climb the whole way. I finally felt sorry for getting my buddy into this hot hike and carried him the last fifteen minutes. At last we arrived and we were both eager to enjoy the cool breeze through the car as I drove down the mountain road and the evening meal and replenishing rest we had that night.

Many times we choose a path that drains us of our resources. We look back on the year we have traveled and wonder how on earth we got ourselves into such a mess! But no matter how lost we feel or how weary we become dealing with the same thing over and over again, God can find us and bring us new strength. He can pick us up and bear the load we thought we could manage on our own.

Dear God, teach me to seek Your wisdom to prevent me from walking in harm’s way. Help me to recover in Your holy peace when the world overwhelms me. 

 

“Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime.”  John 4:6  NLT

Famous seems to enjoy our walks through the park as much as I do. With many paths to choose from, we rarely travel exactly the same course. If the weather is warmer than usual,  or if we are walking when the sun is high overhead, our usual jaunt leaves him panting and tiring more easily. If the plan is to stay and rest on a grassy hillside, then I pack water bottle and dog bowl to relieve his thirst. But if we are planning a brief stay, he can find water, if he chooses, from the fresh bowls placed outside store fronts. He has learned where he can find a cool drink from strangers. He has even been invited into the air conditioning a couple of times!

Jesus had gotten ahead of his disciples when he found himself at the well of Jacob. He asked a perfect stranger for a drink for his human thirst. This was a real need, but Jesus knew the woman’s need was greater. Even though he required rest and refreshment, she required self-worth and recognition. Her response to his need would end up becoming a blessing for her.

We need to recognize our own needs and be willing at times to ask for gifts of kindness. Perhaps our cries for help can become someone else’s opportunities for blessing.

Dear Jesus, direct my feet to the individuals whom You know will be responsive to my needs today, and help me to show the same kindness of heart to others.