“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”  James 5:16  NLT

Famous serves as a constant reminder of God, and a reminder of God is an instant vehicle for prayer. This is his best gift to me along with his companionship, entertainment, and joy. And an attitude of prayer becomes a condition that lingers beyond the moment into the rest of my day. As I think of prayer as my shield and my sword, I can encounter each and every moment armed with spiritual assurance.

Father, help me to keep your spiritual weapons by my side beginning with a contrite heart.

New things are exciting. Aren’t puppies and kittens amazing? We have wonder and expectations along with curiosity as we discover the uniqueness of each new life.

Famous is no longer a puppy, and I am no longer a young man. But I feel closer to him now more than I ever have in the past. The reason we have more to share is we have made so many memories together. As Famous grew from energetic pup to experienced dog, our routine patterns as well as unique adventures became common to both of us.

God’s purpose is easily understood. Because we remember the good and the bad, the fun and the struggle, the times of plenty and the times of want, we can see and praise God in all aspects of our lives.

Thank you, God, for the gift of memory. 

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10  NLT 

Famous shared a peaceful moment with me today, one of experience and presence. We shared a nap in the middle of the afternoon, in the security of our house with only a few feet between us. Famous was nestled in his dog bed with his head resting on the bolster. I grabbed a pillow from the sofa and stretched out on the floor before him. As we were about to doze off, Famous would stare at me while my eyes were getting heavy. Then I would watch him as he did the same. There is no doubt we feel comfortable with one another.

God’s love and presence allows us to know his protection and guidance. We have no need to worry as we rest in his sanctuary. The world may move in one direction or another according to the folly of people who have distanced themselves from God, but we have the assurance He watches us even while we sleep.

Thanks be to God for His steadfast peace which accompanies His people through this life.

“For royal power belongs to the LORD . He rules all the nations.”  Psalm 22:28  NLT

The times when Famous has supervised free range of the back yard, he usually settles on a grassy bank just beyond the garden. It gives him a vantage point of two sides of the house, the front and back doors, the driveway, and all of our closest neighbors’ backyards. From there he appears to be king of all he surveys. He can defend his kingdom from any squirrels, crows, or cats that might incorrectly assume they can invade his domain. But usually he just lays there like the Sphinx, appearing happy and at peace.

Christians understand that true nobility belongs to the Lord. His providence rules the course of history and will ultimately culminate in his everlasting kingdom. The nations of men and women will come and go, but the Lord rules forever.

We need Your peace, O God, to guide us through the politics of manmade governments in order to behold Your Kingdom on earth.

“The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it. When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.”  Psalm 145:15-16  NLT

He does not do it often, but this was one of those rare nights when Famous was not satisfied. To show his insatiable hunger, he stood in the dark kitchen howling for me. He had eaten his regular supper, his dessert treat, and an extra biscuit, but he was letting me know he wanted more. Granted, I had been away all day, and perhaps he saw this as his only chance for a good bite.

The back story is that when he was young he had an infection which kept him from eating for days. He was losing weight and nothing I did seemed to help. Once he finally started getting better, it was hard to know when he had had enough to eat. I took him into the kitchen and had a frank “conversation” with him. I told him if he ever needed to eat, all he had to do was bring me into the kitchen until I figured out what was needed. Tonight he showed me he was listening.

Famous knows he cannot have anything I am holding in a closed fist. But when my hand is opened to him, he can gently lift its contents into his grateful mouth.

All that I need comes from my Father above. He satisfies all of my hunger.

“Then the LORD asked Moses, ‘Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the LORD ?'”  Exodus 4:11  NLT

Famous and I spend a lot of time together in silence. Perhaps the television is on, or the iPod is playing, or I am rehearsing on the piano, but we do not carry on a continuing discourse. When we are actively working or playing together, however, I do make a point of speaking to him directly. He has comprehension of several words, but a deeper communication happens when he hears the tone of my voice, the rise and fall of questions or commands, and excitement in my facial expressions over a treat or a newly arrived house guest.

More than likely his hearing will diminish in the years ahead. Already, he has slept through my arrival at the front door a couple of times. And as his hearing leaves him, I am grateful we have signs for his commands so that a hand signal will suffice if he can  no longer hear my voice. My job will include listening for him, and keeping him away from situations where he might not hear oncoming traffic.

God asks us to take advantage of the gift of communication in bold and creative ways in order to share his love with the world. There is a strong possibility some of our abilities will change as time goes by, so there is no time to delay in using our gifts in his service.

Dear Father, may the words of my mouth and the art of my life lead others to a greater awareness of Your presence.

“As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night.”  Genesis 8:22  NLT

Famous and I are spending our ninth autumn together. Fall always means less worry on our walks as heat and fatigue are replaced by livelier steps in cooler breezes. Although our first and last walks of the day are now concealed by night, the ones made during the middle of the day are peaceful and pleasant. Less concerned about the sun’s glare and heat, we can focus on the beauty of leaves falling, chipmunks scurrying ahead of us, and those frisky squirrels fetching their supply of acorns, now so plentiful they crunch under our feet.

God provides the cycle of days and seasons to renew his creation and to allow us to mark the passage of time. Eight years have provided us thirty-three seasons, almost one hundred months, more than three thousand days, and endless possibilities of creating precious memories and sharing a witness of God’s love.

Teach me thankfulness for each moment of every day.

“You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.”  Psalm 139:5  NLT

The sun has begun sinking lower in the sky, and shadows lengthen when I walk Famous. He is my shadow. Sometimes he walks in front of me, less often he walks behind me. But like a shadow, he comes and goes with me. His leash connects us and gives him a signal if he is moving too fast or in the wrong direction. If the line becomes less than taut, he will turn and look back to make sure I am still there.

As I care for Famous throughout his years I am reminded of God’s blessing in my life. I know my life is better if I am walking daily with the Lord, and I am assured his Spirit will be present.

Today I remember a cloud of witnesses who have gone before me, the Spirit of God that leads me daily, and the example I need to set for those who will follow me.