“So Jacob worked seven years to pay for Rachel. But his love for her was so strong that it seemed to him but a few days.”  Genesis 29:20  NLT

What does the patience of nurturing a relationship with your dog bring you? First of all, there is an appreciation for the simple things in life. I laugh when I think about the last show competition for Famous. It was complicated, to say to the least, to have him registered, groomed, and transported for the competition. Then hours later, he showed me what he would rather be doing–taking a simple dive in a muddy lake. Lesson learned.

One of the few things you should not pass up is the opportunity to take a joyride. “Joyrides” just happened to be a city travel service Famous and I found in Nashville, TN. It was an open-air, souped up golf cart that carried us around the city. Our driver knew his way around, stopping to let me walk with Famous around city landmarks. He just happened to also be a Springer lover and about to get a new puppy, so Famous was the dog of the hour.

I have also learned fresh air should be a part of your life no matter the weather or season. I have seen so many fantastic views just on our walks I would have otherwise missed.

Life is both full and quick with a dog. Eight fast years of daily companionship and adventures have been an even greater blessing than I could ever have had imagined. There are scores of patients I have seen who have never met Famous, but they remember the bond I have with him and often inquire on how he is doing.

God fills our lives with extraordinary  events if we would only be diligent in allowing him to bless us. Our earthly lives become happy “blinks” in the history of eternity.

Amaze me today, Lord, with Your blessing!

“Show me the right path, O LORD ; point out the road for me to follow.”  Psalm 25:4  NLT

As I have mentioned patience in dog training, I remember the fun and reward of taking Famous to puppy school. Puppy classes are a must, and I would recommend it to any dog owner, especially if it is a new experience for you.

The greatest benefit, of course, is it provides an activity for both of you. This provides an opportunity for further bonding as you learn to work as a team, and it helps you discover strengths and weaknesses in your dog’s personality. Most dogs, Famous included, want to please. The last thing they should feel is ignored. But beyond the training tips from the instructor, you both get to interact with other owners and dogs. I was even able to arrange a few puppy “play dates” for Famous.

Our classes only lasted an hour once a week, but this was not the only time we were training. We had homework, and each day we worked to reinforce the lesson and to be prepared for the next week. It soon became obvious which owners were consistently working at home and those who were not.

I think about those days every time someone mentions how well behaved Famous is. And it teaches me my Christian walk has to start with the basics of prayer, devotion, and study. As we grow in our faith, we can expect God to direct us in teaching, missions, and sacrifice. And we can expect his guidance as we travel the road of life.

Direct my feet today, Lord, when they want to wander from Your path.

“Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”  Luke 11:5-9  NLT

Training your dog requires focus, repetition, and communication. It also requires patience. Combine all these things and you get persistence. A young dog is eager to please, and with a growing mind can learn quickly. But I would also say you can teach an “old dog new tricks,” but it is easier if you have already laid a training foundation.

First, you have to gain the dog’s attention. This can be accomplished with a signal or a sound. With Famous, I used a “clicker.” When you introduce one, you simply “click” and immediately give a treat, click and treat, over and over again. Ah! Click means treat! But then there is a twist. Command and obey. You do not get the treat unless you do what I command. Do it, and you will hear a click and get a treat. With repetition, the behavior becomes responsive to the command and rewarded with a click, and not necessarily a flavorful treat, but a reward of praise and attention for a job well done.

Persistence helps us to stay connected to God. When we are persistent in our desires and in our prayers we approach the world with open eyes. We also learn to review those desires as God reveals the plan for our lives. The reward is an attitude of praise.

Dear God, I pray for courage to be bold in my desires and persistence in looking for Your response.

“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”  Ecclesiastes 3:11  NLT

Famous was an absolutely adorable, fluffy, round puppy for all of three months. Then he quickly progressed into the more gangly, long-legged teenager for the rest of his first year. He remained adorable, stayed my constant companion, and became devoted through thick and thin. And when I look back on the pictures from that first year, I see all the fun we were having, the curious nature which helped him to learn, and a sometimes silly looking dog not quite grown. He was finally able to keep up with me on our hikes and short runs, and I loved him dearly, but I was ready for him to turn into the mature, beautiful dog I knew he would be.

He is now that regal beast that everyone admires, but to me he would not be as beautiful if we had not shared those younger days. We have both slowed down as he is in his ninth year and, therefore, he is about to pass me in relative age. We both tire more easily and dread the heat of the day. He has always enjoyed just sitting, and I am in total agreement with that philosophy. And there are moments when I see hints of an older dog who will be less agile and sharp. But I find along with the fear of seeing him age, I also see the beauty of a life that is graceful and loving, and I know he will teach me many lessons about how to be a good old dog.

Dear Father, expand my mind and heart to see beyond the present time, space, resources, and will that seem to surround me so that Your perfect vision of who we are becomes more obvious.

“The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!’ The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD .”  Lamentations 3:22 -26  NLT

I joyfully greet Famous every morning. A few hours earlier we had fallen asleep exhausted from a fun and busy day. Now refreshed from our slumber we are ready to start a new one.

There was a time when he would awaken me each and every dawn. Whether he was aware the sun was about to rise or he heard me about to come out of my dreams, he would be watching me and waiting for me to become alert and verbal again and start getting dressed for our walk. These days he is faithfully by my side, although he has learned to appreciate an extra thirty minutes in bed. Now, often, I am the one inviting him to wake up and join me for a walk while the coffee is brewing.

Recently, we had to adjust the morning routine as we traveled through seventeen states on a summer road trip. Rather than walking out to our yard, we were required to navigate stairs, elevators, and sliding glass doors just to get outside. Famous remained patient knowing I would help him find a park, lawn, or grassy area even in the biggest cities!

Our first breath upon awakening should be cause for rejoicing and giving thanks. The day might be routine or filled with new and challenging obstacles. But God is prepared to bless us if we seek to follow him throughout the day.

Bring me to a joyful hope each morning, Lord, as I learn to wait for You to direct even my first steps. 

“Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7  NLT

August heat means shorter walks in the heat of the day and plenty of water. It also means resting while the sun beats down and patiently waiting for it to sink low in the sky. Were we shivering in the winter months, Famous would catch a snooze in his comfy dog bed with his own blanket which I would provide and not budge an inch in the wonderful warmth.

But it is summer, and we are both thankful for the HVAC in our home. Famous has also figured out that kitchen and bathroom tiles hold that cool air better than the rugs. So when we return from even a short walk, he directly plops down under the kitchen table near the floor vent. And at night, he is content to give up a soft bed for the bathroom tiles that keep him cool in his hairy coat.

The world can get pretty heated. People who do not seem to share our faith or our charity can make life less pleasant. This passage tells us to never forget God is part of the equation. He may direct us to act, but we must be patient for his instructions.

Keep me “cool” headed, Lord, to be able to hear You and follow Your lead.

“Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.”  Micah 7:8b  NLT

All I wanted was one. All Famous wanted was to go exploring. It was in the middle of the night and no one else was awake. There was no traffic as we crossed the usually busy road to the park. Famous knew we rarely went out for a walk when we would normally be sound asleep in bed. But it was nice trading the hot afternoon for a warm moonless night. The streetlights guided us along until we entered the park, and then I used a pocket LED light to guide our steps.

He wanted to go all around the path as we usually do, and where he could discover where others dogs had been on the previous day. But I sat down on the bench, an even stranger action, and he was content to stay with me. Just one. They promised hundreds per hour, but I was too lazy to drive out in the country beyond the city lights. Sitting in the darkness, I was happy Famous was with me. I tried to focus on the sky, but I knew if there were any strange movements near us, he would alert me. Almost ready to give up, and then it happened. I caught a brilliant meteor streak through the sky right above us. The streak was not long in length, but it was long in duration, making the scratch on the sky linger for a couple of seconds as if I were seeing a brilliant comet in the sky.

I understand meteor showers, how the optimum time to visualize them is in the early pre-dawn night as the earth’s atmosphere is turning into the path of a comet which visited us thousands of years ago. And I understand in part how we are masters of our own futures, and how we have to make things happen. But I also understand this knowledge and this talent did not come to me out of darkness and chaos and that in my darkness God will light my path.

Gentle Spirit of God, light my way and help me to guard the path You have shown me.

“May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.”  Romans 15:5  NLT

Much urgency is in the air around us. There are deadlines, named I suppose because you will die if you do not make them, closeout deals, end-of-the-month quotas, and last-minute bargains. We desperately want to lose weight, make the grade, and get the job done. We watch people being incited to feed emotional needs as a quick fix to disappointment in life. We want it all, and we want it now.

Then I look at Famous who most days patiently waits alone for his master to return home. Does he vote me out of office? Does he riot against me? Does he go on a hunger strike to show his disapproval? Hardly. Instead, it is with joyous excitement when we find each other again, and our time together is harmonious.

This valiant patience is admirable, but forced, you may argue. True, he has very little to say in the matter. But even this contains a lesson for me. All day long, Famous is subject to my circumstances. But when we take our walks through the neighborhood, I try to find in myself the same patience to give him. The path is familiar, but still he gets to choose if we “bee line” to the end or explore one of the cul-de-sacs. I might note that the same patch of lawn is in need of mowing, but Famous is discovering so much more. Perhaps he has found a pile of mulch where a cat made a bed. Perhaps a strange dog has invaded our territory. Or perhaps he has found the tromping grounds of a rabbit earlier that day. I have seen him spend ten minutes going over the same six-foot-square plot again and again. And I just stand there at the other end of the leash watching and wondering and hoping he’s ready to move along soon. I think he is grateful for my consideration.

We often come to God out of urgency. We want it fixed, and we want it fixed now. But God often asks us to work together in patience to find the solutions. Often, the best solutions are found in the quiet walks with Him.

Dear Lord, teach me the art of waiting on You.

“Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, ‘Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'”  Acts 1:4-5  NLT

Have you ever been on an elevator with your dog? There you are walking into a little room when the door closes behind you. Famous trusts me and follows me inside. You are temporarily trapped with no windows to see what is happening. (Soon he will want to lead me into the magical room.) But at first he wonders why we would go into this small, empty space with no other way out. He looks at me as if to say, “Now what?” He sniffs the floor trying to discover the recent history of this place. Finally, he sits and feels the movement and listens to the steady “dings” as we travel. The door opens somehow by itself, and he is ready to get out. But we are temporarily delayed by someone else getting into the room with us, and he has to be even more patient until the door opens again. Finally, without key or handle the door opens again, and I give him the command to exit with me. But we are not back where we started. Somehow, the world has changed and we are in a new place.

Christ was resurrected and returned to a different world. His disciples were not certain of the course that lay before them. But he instructed them to be patient and to expect a miracle by baptism in the Spirit. He did it in fellowship to reassure them of the fulfillment of his promise.

God invites us into new and strange situations daily. We may not see instantly where they are taking us. We will have to be patient at times. But we can rely on his presence through the experience.

Teach me, Lord, to follow your lead today through situations which may seem unfamiliar to me.