Beware of Dog
As the stranger enters a country store, he spots a sign: “Danger! Beware of Dog!” Inside, he sees a harmless old hound asleep in the middle of the floor.
“Is that the dog we’re supposed to beware of?” he asks the owner.
“That’s him,” comes the reply.
“He doesn’t look dangerous to me. Why would you post that sign?”
“Before I posted that sign, people kept tripping over him.”
“Let not yours be the outward adorning with braiding of hair, decoration of gold, and wearing of fine clothing, but let it be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable jewel of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” I Peter 3:3-4 RSV
Even if he did not have such a pleasant demeanor, Famous has the good looks to make him popular wherever he goes. This week our walk through the park started out with a young student running over asking if she could touch him. She literally just touched his coat and ran off. I guess that was all it took.
I have decided beauty is a quality involving more than appearance. More than a look, beauty is an impact. This requires both inner and outer beauty. Some of this impact is achieved when we realize we are beautiful as God’s creations. The rest is achieved when we allow God to use us for his purposes.
Let Your beauty shine through me throughout the day.
“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
A few days of unusually warmer weather in the middle of February led to an open back door and more opportunities for Famous to enjoy the deck minus the ice and snow. With trees still bare before the spring greening to come, he had a clear view of our neighbor’s deck as well. So when she appeared to tidy the deck and sweep up around her grill, Famous commenced his barking to let me know there was a stranger alert. (Or perhaps he was more interested in her small dog running around on the porch with her!)
Either way, I let him bark for about a minute thinking whatever bird or squirrel had captured his attention would move along, and peace would be restored. But as he continued, I investigated to see what could be causing him so much distress. There was my neighbor on her own property probably wondering why my dog was so noisy.
You see, when Famous first came home, that house was empty, and he normally would never see anyone around the side door or the deck. Now, however, he detects any activity in that direction and sounds the alarm.
So I took a knee beside him to introduce him to the concept that Ann was now part of the scenery and that we did not need to keep announcing her to the whole neighborhood. I patted his back, and with as calm a voice as I could find told him everything was o.k. His barking became a short howl which turned into a happy wag of his tail, and we went back inside.
We are often fooled by the circumstances in our lives to give in to the fears and despair which surround them. Instead, we should be aware of God’s constant presence which will protect and sustain us through any crisis by his ultimate victory.
Give me peace in the awareness of Your love and protection for me today in all circumstances.
After a talking sheepdog gets all the sheep in the pen, he reports back to the farmer: “All 40 accounted for.”
“But I only have 36 sheep,” says the farmer.
“I know,” says the sheepdog. “But I rounded them up.”
“Dog!…What can be the meaning of the obscure love for me that has sprung up in your heart?”
Anatole France
(1844 – 1924, French poet, novelist, and journalist)
“The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?” Proverbs 20:24 NLT
As if we could imagine ourselves understanding God’s plan for us. You would think walking a dog was an easy task. Understandably, it is simpler if a trained dog is always at your heel. But Famous has a less directed path, so his direction can change in an instant. It would be impossible for me to anticipate every odor, every stimulus that is detected by his powerful sense of smell.
We should not try to understand all that God sees and knows, but we should trust him to provide exactly what we need for each and every day. And we should be willing to walk with him even when we do not understand his purposes.
I will walk the journey with You, and I will constantly pray for the knowledge You desire to share with me.
“For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.” Romans 8:19 NIV
I suppose in some ways you could say Famous imposes limitations on me. I cannot conduct my life without regard to how it first impacts him. Therefore, I do not make the same choices I would make if I did not have a dog.
But one of the great advantages he brings to my life is the daily encounter with nature. Without Famous, I would probably miss the full moon dancing behind the clouds, or the slow progression of flowers up from the ground. I would have missed thousands of sunrises and sunsets and locked myself away from bitter snow and ice.
I am grateful to him that these daily discoveries remind me of the Creator who gave them to us. If we have anything that demands much of our involvement and time, it should also be something which allows us to think on God.
When I behold Your beautiful works, O Lord, let me give thanks in the awareness of the One who created them.
“It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening.” Psalm 92:2 NLT
When do I love Famous the best? In the morning when we share a walk with only the sounds of songbirds and the sunrise’s morning rays? In the afternoon when we take the occasional hike or just sit on the deck enjoying the warmth of the day? Maybe in the evening when we both need our rest and the peace and calm of the bedroom is only accompanied by his light breathing or snores? I guess I love Famous the best in the present moment!
God’s love is never failing. Shouldn’t this be our response in nurturing the relationship we have with the Lord, seeking to always receive his blessings on a moment by moment basis? From this posture, we can begin to see ourselves as constant beacons of his grace and love, allowing only his will to determine our thoughts, our words, and our deeds.
Teach me to love You more each morning and all throughout the day!
SOCK THIEVERY
O where, O where has my little sock gone?
O where, O where can it be?
It was right on the floor just a moment ago!
O where, O where can it be?
Rich and Famous
“I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:14 NLT
I am fascinated to see Famous race after a squirrel or rabbit. His gallop is streamlined as his feet barely touch the ground in a coordinated rhythm, his hindquarters propelling him forward. But the second he comes to a halt, his hind legs spread out to the sides, almost in a squat as he tries to harness his momentum as he approaches a fence or barrier.
We speak of the rat race or the hectic pace of our lives, but for what are we really racing? Paul encourages us to race to accomplish the task God has set before us, our sights set on Christ. This is where our energy, our enthusiasm, our desire should should lie: in the race to do God’s will.
Guide my heart to yearn to serve and honor You today, O Lord.
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