As 2017 comes to an end, I am happy to report both Famous and I are well. We are no longer the young puppy and young man we once were when our journey began. Our first New Year’s Eve together found us running a 5K race together at the stroke of midnight. This year we are likely to fall asleep before 2018 arrives. We’ll see.

Famous will turn ten years old in 2018, but doing well despite developing severe hearing loss and periodontal disease. He rebounded from oral surgery in September, and he seems to recognize and respond to our new sign language in addition to the commands he learned as a puppy. (Now with his deafness, I am glad and quick to recommend early puppy training which teaches hand signals in addition to voice commands.)

And I am well into middle-age but avoided any new set-backs or diagnoses other than my own dental work involving a new crown which had to be placed at the end of the spring. All in all, 2017 was kind.

I wish 2018 to be a kinder year to everyone. As we learn to protect and provide for ourselves, may we learn to open our circle to those who are less fortunate. May we in finding our own paths become the inspiration for others. May we all become Rich with blessings and Famous for our works and good deeds.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

“After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was.”  Matthew 2:9  NLT

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Due to an early December snowfall, the ground was still white and saturated with water and ice this morning. Fortunately for me, most of our street was dry and presented no hazard for my first early walk with Famous. He was stepping with energy through the chilly air as we made our turn and started back for home. I had seen where small rivulets of water runoff had turned sloping asphalt into bands of black ice. I led Famous away from these spots, but at one moment he insisted on going in the opposite direction, There was just enough force of resistance against his leash to cause his feet to give out beneath him. He was able to get back up, and pulling against me again, he did another spread eagle in the middle of the road. This time he looked at me to see if I could help him understand why his legs had suddenly stopped working. I could not help myself from being reminded of the fawn, Bambi, when he first walked on ice in the Disney animated film.

Where do we look for guidance in our lives? Do we not usually deceive ourselves into thinking we know what is best? Just as there were good and evil forces giving direction to the magi as they looked for a new king, so there are many influences around us. Some are true and direct us in the way God would have us go. Others are only there to confuse and betray us from finding the miracles God sends to us.

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Teach my heart to recognize the true message of Christmas and to ignore the temptations which will lead to my destruction. 

“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!”  Luke 1:30  NLT

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Scientists have shown a dog’s cortisol levels are lower when they are around their care-takers. This means they are under less stress. Even if they are around kennel mates they have known all of their lives, they are more calm and choose to be around a human who can provide for them.

God comes to us in our need and for his purposes. In this first week of Advent, may we know the peace that God can bring into our lives and rejoice in the provision of a Savior sent to bring us everlasting peace!

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I anticipate the revelation of the Son of the Most Holy God!