“For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.”  Hebrews 6:10  NLT

Famous was born in a decade where threat and fear danced in our world and the media was flooded with words like war, terror, and economic depression. I suppose I was looking to find more joy and love in my daily routine, a nice distraction from the heaviness the world was feeling, when I started researching the possibility of dog ownership.

But beyond the sheer happiness of bringing him home with me, he brought the reminder that God is still with us, still infusing our lives with miracles, big and small, everyday. Watching him grow, seeing him explore the world, and attempting to make it the best possible world for him, I became more keenly aware of all God was doing for me. Together, with Famous, we would seek his blessings and discover how to share them with others.

In remembrance on this day, God, help me to know how best to celebrate and share the hope You bring. 

“But be sure to fear the LORD and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.”  I Samuel 12:24  NLT

I cherish a picture taken one day when Famous and I walked along the beach. Normally, our steps are invisible as we travel the drive in our neighborhood, or they quickly evaporate if darkened by wet grass. But in the sand our footprints temporarily depicted our lives together. So I captured the evidence of his paw and my foot side-by-side and penned these words:

“Considering the vastness of the universe and the eons of time, I have been blessed to have shared this moment, in this place, with this creature, my companion for far too short a time on this spaceship called Earth, my Famous.”

That’s the secret. Find the thing or things in your life for which you gives thanks to God over and over again. There are many in my life, but Famous instantly became the constant in my life that pointed me to God repeatedly. It is too easy for me to take my health, education, and possessions for granted, although I know they too are gifts from above. But Famous, in his constant dependence and affection, helps me to re-examen the miracle of his life connected with mine.

God, You are an awesome God who understands our needs which You readily supply — including a connection to You.

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”  Matthew 25:40  NLT

Sometimes I wonder, “Who is the master here?” Famous seems to be doing alright for himself. He gets free room and board, cook, and groomer. All he has to do is endure it! But by doing so, he allows me to bestow caring and love on one of God’s creations. This teaches me service to one who depends on me and cannot provide for himself.

I understand each day gives me a lesson in caring and service which enables me to minister to others with the same attitude and humility. As I use my gifts in helping others, and when I allow others to help me in my need, we are sharing the spiritual gift of service.

Lord, show me others today that need me to demonstrate Your great love.

“This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow. Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea.'”  Isaiah 48:17-18  NLT

Walking with Famous, whether or not he is on his leash, requires guidance and direction. He easily recognizes our normal path and leads me as we explore the neighborhood. But there are a few decision points along our route as to which road or direction we should take.

I find it is much easier to give directions before reaching those places rather than once we have reached them. As we approach a fork in the road, I can merely say “this way” and point, and Famous will alter his course. However, if he has already started in the opposite direction, he is less likely to want to alter his course without a little hesitancy  or resistance.

God offers us directions before we start down the wrong path. And it is much easier to follow God’s commands from the beginning rather than having to backtrack over our own mistakes.

Help me to seek to serve You early in the day, Father, so that I may know Your peace.

“Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’ But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I now have a wife, so I can’t come.’ “The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’ So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’”  Luke 14:16-24  NLT

Famous plays a game with me most times I walk into the bathroom. While my back is turned he sneaks in and grabs a wash cloth from a basket on the floor knowing I will come looking for it and will praise him for anticipating my needs. For him, it is a part of a ritual in our daily life together. But for me, the simple game symbolizes much more. It is a reminder that God has sent me to invite others to the great banquet which is being prepared. Famous helps me to be prepared to go out into the world putting my best “face” forward.

I could make excuses to my four-legged butler and say, “I do not have time to wash and think about those things.” I could ignore him completely and hope he would get tired of the game. But even though it may take a few extra steps to follow Famous and retrieve the missing cloth and reward his service, my blessing is the receiving of a reminder of my purpose for the day.

Help me to serve all people today, knowing some will accept and some will refuse. But no one will know if I do not share the good news. 

“By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.”  Ephesians 3:7  NLT

Famous is a sporting dog, but bred for show through the efforts of his breeder rather than for sport. Still, it is quite thrilling to see him respond to nature, to follow a scent, and to point out of attentiveness. But his true calling is in service to me as a companion (and probably more as a therapy pet than I will ever know). Even so, our bond is strengthened by the service we give to each other: master caring for pet, and pet caring for master.

Seeing us together, you might think it quite glamorous to own such a dog. But I could easily share the times when the work is not so grand, more dutiful than delight, much like how scrubbing floors gives us an appreciation of living in a clean home. These times of caring teach humility, but they are also wonderful opportunities for showing Famous the extent of my patience and tenderness.

When others see us choosing to serve God, to attend church, or to minister in the community, they may not always understand the blessing that we have in return. Rather than only demonstrating the “penance” we pay in homage to God, we need to share the celebration of joy and generosity in our hearts which comes from servanthood.

As I move through this day, help me to share the secret joy of serving You, O Christ!

“And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don’t need to tell them about it, for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.”  I Thessalonians 1:8-10  NLT

How strange is it that I should speak about my dog as a reminder and connection to God’s love? Other dogs have become etched in our cultural memory as heroes, such as Rin Tin Tin and Lassie. But have we ever had a dog to become a pointer to the hand of God in our lives?

People have become accustomed to asking about Famous and his trips or his pedigree. But it is exciting to know many people use my experiences with him to open their hearts to hear God’s message. This is truly a dog of service, raised to thrill and fascinate me as one of God’s creatures. But rather than  praising the creation, I was instantly led to praise the Creator and share his wonderful gift. We all have gifts in our lives for a purpose. How great they can become depends on our willingness to give them back in service and devotion.

Giver of Life, Creator of all that is lovely, teach me to honor You with effort and energy through all You have bestowed upon me. 

“Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.” John 12:26  NLT

Walking with Famous is more a pleasure than a chore. And although we see the same street almost each and every day, each walk is a completely unique experience. I may have an idea of the path we will take and the length of time we will be gone, but we might make last minute decisions or adjustments according to weather conditions or time of day.

One crucial decision point is whether or not we leave our neighborhood and cross the street to the nearby school and park. However, sometimes my choice does not correspond with what Famous wants to do. If he really wants to cross, he may resist my lead as I turn to go home, just enough for me to give due consideration to his request. He is happiest when I concede and we get to cross into the land frequented by many dogs during the day. But if I choose to return home, he quickly comes around and happily accompanies me back down the street.

We often are asked to serve God together, perhaps as a team, a committee, or a church. We may disagree at times on how to accomplish the mission. But we must remember to follow the path set by Christ and not our own.

Dear Lord, help me to see the path You would have me follow today.

 

“Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy.” Psalm 100:2  NLT

If Famous ever showed joy, it would be on a cool day with a stiff breeze. Such was our weather today as Hurricane Hermine raced up the Eastern Seaboard and brought us clouds and wind with no rain. We had a similar day two years ago as Hurricane Arthur chased us off of the North Carolina coast. While we were outside, his floppy ears remained horizontal.

He makes me think of Sister Batrill, a nun played by Sally Field in a 60’s sitcom. Given a stiff breeze, her large headgear and her small size enabled her to fly. Famous has not to my knowledge left the ground, but with his head held high in the wind, he looks like he is happily ready for take-off.

His joy is my delight and becomes an instant reminder of God’s favor.

Open my heart to the gladness You bring in service with joy.

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go back to Pharaoh and announce to him, ‘This is what the LORD says: Let my people go, so they can worship me.”  Exodus 8:1  NLT

One of our classes in puppy school emphasized getting our puppies to run to us and into our arms as fast as they could. The instructor took each dog to the opposite side of the room and held him until its owner shouted, “Come!” The dogs who were able to focus and who had created close bonds with their owners were the fastest in covering the distance that separated us. Famous was always “ahead of his class.”

One of the important aspects of Christian servanthood is hidden in this passage from Exodus. God instructed Moses to tell Pharaoh he had to free the Hebrew slaves whose ancestors had originally found refuge in Egypt. Then they would not be abandoned or enslaved in turn by God, but in their freedom they could worship him. Choosing to serve the Lord is indeed a type of bondage which brings freedom. It is a choice which allows us to break free from the bonds of sin and the oppression of evil and allows us to run into the arms of God.

Today I pray for insight and wisdom to make choices which keep me close to God’s will.