“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”  Philippians 4:13  NLT

Not only did yesterday’s weather deliver the strongest blast of cold air thus far this season, but a cold virus descended upon me as well. One clue that I am about to succumb  to a virus is the inability to get a good night’s sleep, and I am at two nights running with having to get up several times during the night.

Consequently, today became a stay-at-home day with coughing, sneezing, and congestion–things I did not want to share with my patients. However, one of the comforts was spending the day with Famous, both of us napping at times, enjoying a bowl of hot chicken noodle soup (out of the can), accomplishing a few loads of laundry, and when he was due for his walks, bundling up to take him outside for a brisk walk in the bright sun. It was enough to lift the spirit and know that healing will come.

Even when we walk through the dark, cold seasons of life, there is deliverance by grace.

Let Your light pour over my soul for healing and strength. 

“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.”  Colossians 3:16  NLT

If I were to write a hymn about Famous, it would be a song of joy and gratitude. He brings delight along with the reminder he is a gift from God. He makes known to me many of my greatest attributes and faults, and he helps me weigh the value of each decision and effort I make. When I would spend time on myself, he reminds me to think about others. When I reprimand him, he reminds me of forgiveness. When I am lonely or afraid, he is the one who would point me to God.

What is the hymn you are writing with your life?

Teach me to sing Your song, O Christ!

“May God give you heaven’s dew and earth’s richness— an abundance of grain and new wine.”  Genesis 27:28  NIV

Yesterday our grounds keepers aerated the lawn in preparation for the fall seeding. But the mixture of heavy dew on the morning grass and the thick plugs of muddy soil turned Famous’ white legs and paws into dark chocolate to match the rest of his coat. Not quite the best combination of dew and earth mentioned in today’s scripture!

How easy it is for us, with the best intentions, to quickly find ourselves influenced away from the path which leads us closer to God! Whether we lose sight of the way or we allow the world to tempt us, the result is the same — we miss out on the rich rewards God intends to give us.

Guard my steps, I pray, to keep me moving closer to God.

“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap according to kindness; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek Jehovah, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.”  Hosea 10:12  ASV

More so this week, this year’s fall temperatures have taken a dive in the darkening mornings so that I am now requiring hat, scarf, and even gloves to take Famous on his neighborhood tromp. As I rested my knit cap on the coat rack after today’s walk instead of placing it back in the drawer, I thought to myself, “and so it begins.” Now in our tenth autumn together, I feel prepared for the requirements of cold-predawn outings. I have collected a nice stash of gloves, scarves, heavy socks, and various lights to illuminate the dark streets.

Stay prepared for whatever life may bring. Seek ways of spreading kindness to everyone you meet. Look for every joy which has been set before you. As we climbed the hill in our neighborhood this morning we were greeted by a sliver of a crescent moon flanked by Venus and Mars, a sight worthy of braving a little cold.

The Lord is coming! May my actions today be worthy of His return.

“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.”  Romans 8:18  NLT

Can we as modern-day Christians expect to suffer? Can we perhaps not have as close a relationship with Jesus if we do not suffer?

Famous had six teeth extracted this weekend. Six! And for all of that he seems to be doing very well two days out from the procedure. I would never wish him harm or any suffering. But I understood the discomfort he would suffer this weekend would be mild compared to the pain and dysfunction he would have if his periodontal disease progressed further to infect his jaw bone. In the aftermath I have learned better ways of providing his oral hygiene and how to nurture him until his incisions have healed.

Does God want us to suffer? No, He does not. But there is suffering in our world every second. If we feel we do not suffer, then somehow we have conveniently managed to cut ourselves off from the rest of the world, living quite oblivious to the needs of others. Jesus taught us that their suffering is his suffering. If we are to be Christ-like, then we must share the awareness of suffering in this world, rebuke it, and strive to improve it.

Instruct me today, Father, in how not only to avoid causing suffering to others, but how to prevent it and alleviate it when it is found. 

“He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.”  Daniel 2:21  NIV

I am trying to catalog in my mind the simple memories Famous has been making with me. In just a simple walk there are many sensations which are eternal. Spring gives us a shower of cherry blossoms. Summer supplies the wet slap of feet and paws in the ocean. Winter challenges us with an occasional slippery slide or the crunch of fallen snow giving way under our weight. And autumn sweeps a little hurricane of leaves across our path that rustles wistfully, reminding us that the only thing which is constant is change.

But God is also constant, giving us the hope that these moments are eternal because He has created them, and He has directed them to change. Today is the moment He has created for us. It will soon change, and as it does, we can watch and listen to his unfolding miracle.

What eternal memory will You give to me today, O God?

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”  I Thessalonians 5:11  NLT

Taking a walk with Famous can sometimes be as much an adventure for me as it is for him. Today, a car sent out a friendly toot as he and I were heading down the sidewalk. I thought it appeared to be a neighbor driving by so I quickly waved. A few short moments later the same car came by us, turned the corner, and then stopped. Out jumped a friend whom Famous and I had not seen in a long time.

We greeted each other with a warm hug. Famous appeared to recognize him as well and eagerly sat down with tail wagging, ready for his chance to say hello and get a pat on the head. My friend and I quickly caught each other up on recent events. But we also blessed each other by sharing the good news of what God had been doing in our lives.

We may forget our role as encouragers to others if we are tempted to dwell on our own needs. Let us never forget that words of kindness are a ministry to both those who know and those who seek the Lord.

Open my heart and ears to those to whom God would have me encourage with kind words today.

“If sometimes the cloud remained from evening until morning, when the cloud was lifted in the morning, they would move out; or if it remained in the daytime and at night, whenever the cloud was lifted, they would set out.”  Numbers 9:21  NLT

The cloud did remain this morning. The cloud over our heads on this day, however, was the result of tropical moisture that had settled over our region. The light arrived later than usual and filtered through the dense cloud layer as a quiet gray. Most of yesterday’s winds had died, so it was apparent the heaviness and dampness of the morning would linger throughout most of the day. Nonetheless, it was a good morning to sit with Famous (and a cup of coffee) to see how the weather God had sent to us would affect our plans.

Where do we turn for direction? Is it our work, our bank accounts, or friends, or the ones we love? If we pray for guidance from God, he will show us the path to take. God will intervene to further his plan of salvation for the world. We must be willing to serve him in this ultimate glory so that its impact will be realized in our daily living.

May the wonders of Your glory be my strongest influence today.