A dog hath true love,
A dog hath right good understanding,
A wise dog knoweth all things,
A dog hath force and kindliness,
A dog hath mettle and is comely,
A dog is in all things seemly,
A knowing dog thinketh no evil,
A dog hath a memory that forgeteth not,
I say unto you again a dog forsaketh not his duty,
Have might and cunning therewith
and a great brave heart.
Gace de la Vigne
From “Poème sur la Chase” 1359
“Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” Psalm 86:11 KJV
To look at most pictures of springer spaniels reveals a “ticking” or spotted pattern throughout their white feathering. You will not find this looking at Famous. He has been bred for show, a “bench” rather than a “field” springer. Whereas the spotted variety gains a bit of camouflage, the striking contrast of Famous’ white apron and liver brown coat presents a more formal and dressed appearance.
But when we go for a walk, the truth comes out. If you know where to look, you can find one remnant of the ticking that has not been completely bred out. As Famous walks you can notice a few dark hairs in one spot on one of his legs where everything else is white. Most people would miss this, but someone who scrutinizes his appearance will find it.
How we walk through life reveals our true natures. If we walk in the truth of the knowledge of God’s love, then others will notice it and be blessed.
Help me today to understand my walk is a witness of Your love.
Snowstorm Musings
1. You really don’t mind putting on eight extra pieces of clothing to see a dog have fun in the snow. (At least one of those goes on the dog.)
2. It’s hard to get cabin fever when you have to take a dog outside in the snow several times a day.
3. It is easy to feel young walking with a dog as he leaps through the snow.
4. Snow drifts are the new fire hydrants.
5. Letting a dog off leash in the snow beats being pulled across the ice.
6. It is easier to see which way your dog ran off if there is snow on the ground.
7. Shoveling sidewalks is less lonely with a dog supervising.
8. Expending extra energy in the cold makes for a better night’s sleep for both of you.
9. You can worship with a doG when church is cancelled due to inclement weather. (Hold up to mirror.)
10. Hearths are warmer with a fire and a dog.
Rich and Famous
“Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left. She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying.” Proverbs 3:13-17 NLT
Why are we never satisfied? Why do we always seek what we do not have? Can we ever find a lasting peace without complacency? I believe we can, although it runs against our sinful nature to believe that it does not involve possessions, power, and pride.
There is a paradox in knowing that to have a single moment of divine peace we have to understand the entire context of our existence in that moment. But most of our life is spent ignoring the inevitable fact that we will die. We accumulate material goods in an effort to be more comfortably satisfied either by indulgences or as a commodity for more wealth or power over others. This is done to satisfy the moment, believing the more moments we have, the happier we will be. We are blind to the inevitable fate that the moments cannot go on forever.
Famous reminds me there is great blessing in living a life of purpose and realizing it will end at some point. You cannot ignore the pain of loss and suffering. It is a part of the wholeness of existence. And without giving in to despair or fear, there can be exuberant joy in experiencing each moment of our lives.
Famous helps to center me in what is necessary for the moment. And although I supply shelter, food, and activity for him, I believe it is the companionship I bring him which gives the most satisfaction. If I leave him, there is the promise I will return. There is a peace in knowing he can fall asleep with me nearby.
God will not leave us comfortless. His peace and comfort outshines any we could afford for ourselves.
I will allow myself to embrace all of life in each moment I live.
DOG IN SNOW
Here we go!
Hey! What? Whoa!
It’s white. It’s wet. It’s snow,
You say?
There’s snow here, and here, and here!
It’s in my paws, and tail, and ears!
Running. Diving. Barking. Blinking.
(It’s just like swimming without sinking!)
You can’t catch me! Whee!
This is so much fun.
I can run back where I had begun!
Here I go through so much snow!!
Wait a sec. You didn’t warn me snow was COLD!
That fireplace sounds kinda nice.
Rich and Famous
“You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.” Psalm 30:11 NLT
Put on the collar. Open the door. Put the key in the door. Attach the lead to the collar. Open storm door. Pull door closed. Lock door. Catch up with Famous. This is the dance the two of us do every morning. And although it may be repeated a couple of times, it is never quite as exciting as when the door is opened to the morning.
And it is a specific sequence. Once when I was still getting the hang of it, I opened the door only to realize the lead was hanging limp in my hand and Famous was loose in the yard.
In my effort to keep the sequence perfect each time, there are a few seconds between opening the first door and getting the lead attached. Especially in the morning, this results in Famous’ “happy dance” where he will turn in a tight circle three or four times until he must stop to wait for me to attach the lead. It is his way of telling me no matter what is waiting out there, we are going to face it with joy.
God takes our fears, our frustrations, our boring routines, and turns them into exuberant joy. We just have to open the door!
Today, I will lighten my steps to experience the joy of living.
“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 NLT
It was a little too early for Famous. Most days he is already following me around the house after we wake up. He then lands directly under me as I attempt to put on socks and shoes in anticipation of walking outside, expecting a belly rub as part of his morning ritual. But if time is short, and I have gotten dressed quickly, as I did this morning while he was still up on the bed, he will sneak up behind me as I am tying my shoes, his head directly behind mine. Then I will reach behind my shoulder and pat his head and ask him if he is ready to start our walk.
The walk is a symbol of any journey we are preparing to take. We have to have a destination or a purpose, the necessary equipment, and a determination to complete it once it is started. For Famous the walk can hold new smells and a general evaluation of our neighborhood. For us, the day can teach us more about the purpose for our lives in God’s plan as it unfolds during the year ahead.
Help me to be prepared to follow You on the spiritual journey You have set before me.
“Before the sun and the light, the moon and the stars are darkened, and clouds return after the rain;” Ecclesiastes 12:2 NASB
What joy is there at the end of holiday vacation, when you have to go back to work, and the day is dark, cold, and foggy? My question comes knowing Famous was not near me most of the day while I worked to get back into a “normal” routine. I had enjoyed the days at home and traveling to family gatherings with him to accompany me. Although we get to play more often in the summertime, we were able to spend cozy December afternoons together napping or watching movies. Now we were back to taking the precious outdoor walks in the darkness both before and after my workday.
The quote from Ecclesiastes hopes to enlighten us as to how to find joy as the carefree days of our youth pass into our senior years when life is not so kind. If we have failed to attribute the abundant life spent as youngsters to a gracious and loving heavenly Father, is there still hope that we can find him when life is less than kind? I believe part of the solution will be found in how we walk through each day as they sequentially lead us one by one into the future. On days when life seems less than superb is there still opportunity for joy? Once I arrived at home to be reunited with Famous, I knew there was reason to celebrate.
Dear Lord, give me the wisdom to celebrate You in my life today even though it may not “feel” as the happiest of days.
“He gives rain for the earth and water for the fields.” Job 5:10 NLT
It was a rainy start. But the decision had already been made to start the day, make the coffee, and drag out the raincoat and umbrella. The only problem was that the dog decided he did not need to attack the day with me. Given the option, he elected not to go outside but seemed content to roll over on his back as if he were laughing at the idea of going out on a dark and wet walk which left me wondering which of us was smarter.
God’s blessings are sufficient. There is no question He understands our needs and provides for us. We sometimes question his provision when our plans, our routines, need to be interrupted. We need to be ready to adjust our day when the Spirit redirects us in order to keep us in line with God’s plan.
As I go through my day, O God, teach me to listen to Your guiding Spirit.
“Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?” Amos 3:3 NIV
I call this picture “First Walk” because it was taken during our first walk in this new year. Famous is not a serious model when it means stopping just short of his beloved park, but I assure you his tail was wagging as I put the camera away and proceeded to the path in the background.
I like starting the new year by doing something familiar. Of course, vacations are nice, but even then you have to get back into a routine at some point. Our walks are familiar to both of us, and sometimes I agree with Famous they are the best part of the day.
How interested are you in spending time with God this year, in walking with him to get to know him and better understand his plans for you? Look for him each morning and throughout the day.
Today I will choose a path alongside the footsteps of Christ.
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