“You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”  II Corinthians 9:7-8  NLT

It is not always convenient to commit your service to owning and caring for a pet. As soon as you kick your shoes off, he wants to go outside. As soon as you lie down, he wants to get up on the bed. As soon as you are ready to watch T.V., he wants to play. What makes it all worth while? In acknowledging Famous as a gift I find it becomes a privilege to care for and guard him while I have him. What could be another chore around the house becomes an immense joy!

I think we approach service to God in much the same outlook. There are those who think people of faith, although good in nature, are wasting their time attending church and believing you must give up time in service to others. Then there are believers who have found there is no greater joy than working for God’s purposes.

There are two great gifts given to us by God. The first is salvation through his Son, Jesus Christ. The second gift is the privilege of serving God by allowing his good works to be done by our actions and will.

I will praise You today, God, for these privileges bestowed upon me by Your grace.

 

“So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.”  Ecclesiastes 8:15  NLT

Paying attention to your dog will show he likes to have fun. And sometimes I have fun at his expense. I am amused when I see Famous grab a chew toy or bone to parade through the neighborhood as if he is puffing on a cigar. Then there is his “comb-over” Trump look if he shakes his head and one of his ears happens to fall over his head to the other side. Yesterday, he had a hillbilly imitation as his ears collected pieces of straw after the landscapers seeded the lawn. And his looks were less than regal when his hair clippings almost covered his eyes when I was grooming him one day.

God does desire that we appreciate and enjoy life. But we should focus on enjoying the new life He has given to us. When our actions honor and praise the Living God, then God himself takes delight in us.

Help me see joy in Your creation so that I may praise You today.

“Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety. You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help. But the wicked will be blinded. They will have no escape. Their only hope is death.” Job 11:14-20  NLT

Today was a false start morning. Hoping to beat traffic, avoid the rush, and arrive at the office to complete unfinished work from the previous day, I awoke more than an hour earlier than usual. With it still being dark outside as the nights have just started lasting longer than the days, I completed shaving my face and brushing my teeth. The next step would have been taking Famous for a walk before taking my shower, but my body was not quite ready to respond. I knew I would be in trouble if I did not stop to let my body catch up with my awakened mind. So I grabbed a pillow and throw off of the sofa and lay down on the living room floor knowing the ticking grandfather clock would not allow me to sleep past the chiming of the quarter hour. Within a minute Famous had found me and had curled up next to me on the floor, enjoying an extra rest before the second start of our day.

At times we live our lives as if there is no other hope, as if we have given in to the fear and the evil around us. But God always gives us another chance to receive his rest and protection. We first have to admit there is something wrong, that we cannot go on on our own strength. Then God’s peace can wash away the uncertainty that led to our lost hope.

Today, Christ, be my fountain of hope and allow me start over again.

“But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.”  Matthew 10:26  NLV

On our walk we encountered a young girl and her mother near the park. The girl smiled at Famous, and her mother said to me, “Hello. She wants a dog. Is yours friendly?” I assured her he was. “Well, then, she can see him, but not me,” as she kept her distance on the other side of her car. Famous sat down as the girl patted his head and stroked his ears and said how soft he was. He wanted to sniff inside the open car door, and then we left. I knew that if there was ever a dog who could be petted while I was around, it would be Famous.

The mother did not elaborate on her own fear of dogs, nor did I attempt to change her mind in one afternoon. But as I said good-bye, I did wish the girl luck in getting her own dog.

I have learned there is a difference between instinctive fear and fears which are developed. One is there to protect us. The other limits us from our full potentials. I do believe if we understood now what we will understand in the time to come our fears would melt away in an instant.

Teach me to walk in Your footsteps, Lord, and learn Your wisdom so that I will fear no evil.

“Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven.”  Matthew 5:12  NLT

It is when he seems to be the happiest. Sometimes when I arrive at home with Famous there to greet me, I can grab his leash and we are on our way. Other times, I must change out of a suit or work clothes before we can take a walk. Famous has a little game or ritual to get me to take notice of him by giving long sung howls (think Snoopy howling at the moon) while I am trying to perform as a quick change artist.

What he is really waiting for is my sitting down to change shoes. Then he is right in front of me begging for a back rub or a rub behind the ears. Either way, it usually ends up with him rolling over on top of my feet for a good belly rub before dashing off to get his leash and meet me at the door. It certainly is a reward that seems to give him great satisfaction after suffering through his day alone.

There is a great joy in heaven for all who have known ridicule, isolation, torture, and sacrifice in the name of the Lord. Jesus told us it is a reward we can celebrate even now!

Help me to know with joy and peace the gladness that exceeds all costs today!

“Submit to God, and you will have peace; then things will go well for you.”  Job 22:21  NLT

What fun and joy is my time with Famous! And work! We love our routine, although he might be glad to give up a few of his restful days to have me stay home more often. But getting through the week and enjoying time together is a collaborative effort. I have found great beauty in his life as he became a dog from a puppy, and I pray for grace as he accepts the limits which will come his way in the next few years. And that leads me back to the haunting awareness that his life will not be extended indefinitely. This has always been the sour note of an otherwise amazing partnership: I know it will end one day.

That thought has always been present. In the beginning it was not enough to keep me from bringing him home, but it was in the back of my mind as I found myself growing more and more fond of him. And even in the first couple of years of his life, his short lifespan was a truth I could happily say was easily denied. But now as we both are entering into the second half of our lives, he will lead the way and perhaps teach me something about that journey.

One thing I continue to try to “get better at” is the peace of having a present moment with no fear of what may come. This seems most evident at the end of a day when Famous is content to just rest on the floor next to me with no worries for time, food, shelter, or death. Surely, if I can experience and savor that peace with him, then God will grant me the same peace when I rest in his sanctuary.

Today, as I worship you, Lord, give me the “peace of wild things” that neither sow, nor reap, but enjoy the life You bring. 

“For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.”  Isaiah 57:2  NLT

Famous keeps teaching me to live in the moment. That’s how millions of moments are made in a lifetime. These are the moments that although instantaneous will last forever in my memory. I know the words that will remind me of him. Some of them are faithful, loving, sweet, and happy. But what will be some of the words that people will associate with me long after I am gone?

May my thoughts, words, and deeds remind others of Christ today.

 

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD . “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”  Isaiah 55:8  NLT

Whether you are traveling a new path or just deciding what you will do for the day, wouldn’t it be handy if you and your dog could read each other’s minds? I communicate with Famous by speech, by whistles, by looks, and by leash. He communicates with barks and whimpers, yawns, and tail wags. Still, I could not make him understand the first time I held him that I was making a promise to care for him his entire life.

Our plans for a day or for a weekend are always in flux. But best laid plans are subject to schedules, weather, and health. True, I did successfully accomplish a planned road trip through the heart of the nation with Famous as my companion. But a visit to the coast or to the mountains this weekend became a hike through local woods and a quick swim in a pool.

How have I made attempts to communicate today with God? Have I opened my heart to sense his direction? Has his Word been my lamp? How would my day be different if I knew all that God had in store for me?

Today, I see I cannot possibly understand every mystery of intent that comes from God. Help me to constantly redirect my steps.

 

“The LORD said to Abram, ‘Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west. I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession. And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted! Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.'” Genesis 13:14-17  NLT

Today is the first day of fall, the autumnal equinox. Although it means when the length of the hours of the day and the night are equal, it actually takes a few more days in the northern hemisphere to make them truly equal for reasons I will not go into. But what is true is that today the sun will rise exactly in the east and set exactly in the west.

Another truth is my walks with Famous are more enjoyable since the hot and humid air is being replaced by cooler nights and fresher breezes during the day. Leaves are beginning to fall and Famous is more comfortable when we venture outside. Rather than quick walks to “take care of business” we can plan outings and hikes to enjoy longer activities in the fresh air.

God sends his servants to all parts of the earth. You only need look in any direction to find his people, each one of us created with the sole purpose of glorifying God.

Creator of Light, I am reminded today that You set the sun and the moon in the sky and direct their paths. Direct my steps today as well.

“You must not turn aside, for then you would go after futile things which can not profit or deliver, because they are futile.”  I Samuel 12:21  NASB

It takes a while for both master and dog to become accustomed to a retractable dog leash. (It’s purpose is to essentially obliterate the command, “heel”, which keeps a dog literally at your heel!) The retractable variety allows the dog to move to and from the master with a spring-loaded wire or nylon ribbon which recoils into its housing when not being used.

One of the problems for the dog is having to learn there is a limit to the distance he can roam from his master, a lesson that is usually taught when he darts after a cat or squirrel and is suddenly choked at the neck by the force on his collar. Famous, who would otherwise race across the yard after a squirrel, now understands he would never have a chance of catching him if he is on the leash that can deceive.

Then there is the human component of this team. He or she also has to learn the limit of the leash or otherwise suffer the blow of a dislocated shoulder depending on the size of your dog. (Springers have powerful hindquarters which can supply great force to the surprise of many pet sitters.) Many of these leads have a button which allows you to lock the leash in place, but finesse is not achieved until you learn how to quickly unlock them if the dog turns back in order to keep the leash from dragging the ground.

Then there is always the fun of running into a neighbor’s leash and having to dance around people and dogs to become untangled!

One can see how the predictable path is usually beneficial to both members of the team. But still Famous may turn aside to pursue an interesting scent or discarded bit of food. I have even seen him disappear into a bush and emerge elsewhere leaving his lead tangled in the branches. Maybe I should have given more attention to the lesson on “heel.”

Dear Jesus, help me to not turn aside today by keeping my eyes focused on You.