“For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”  II Corinthians 3:17  NLT

Famous is so good and easy to have sharing my life. Our routine has made him fairly predictable, and one thing he loves is the freedom of being outside. He is readily excited at just the prospect that we are about to go out into the world. And the times when he is completely free of house and leash are true celebrations.

True celebrations are the result of absolute freedom. We often use the phrase “spirit of freedom” as it regards patriotism, and as we know, civil liberty is a privilege most Americans enjoy. But even the freedoms we have in our lives cannot free us from worry, temptation, and fear. But there is freedom that liberates us from these tyrants. It is the Lord’s freedom, and it is not bound by manmade governments and ideologies.

I give thanks today that my freedom has been secured in Christ Jesus. 

“On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.”  Genesis 2:2  NLT

There is a big difference in what I call a day’s work and what Famous calls a day’s work. That difference is that my work seems never finished. Chores, tasks, projects, and goals all loom in my mind as incomplete and only temporarily postponed while I let my body rest at night. As for Famous, his day ends when the sun goes down and his body tells him enough is enough. Whatever is unaccomplished remains so. Tomorrow will bring a new day which will be complete in itself. Each day is a good day.

God understood our consciousness requires rest and variation. Another translation of the word rested is ceased. Just as Famous ceases his daily activity to restore his body for the next day, so we have to stop our activities, not just our bodies, but our chores and burdens, and allow ourselves to live a complete day in God’s presence so that when we do return to the routine week we do so with renewed faith and mission.

Help me, Lord, to appreciate a weekly time to celebrate and worship You.

“Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in camp and did not move on. But as soon as it lifted, they broke camp and moved on. So they camped or traveled at the LORD ’s command, and they did whatever the LORD told them through Moses.”  Numbers 9:22-23   NLT

An uplifted hand and promise of a forthcoming treat can usually get Famous to stay on command. Rather than pulling him through the aisles of the pet store with tasty treats in open bins tempting him, I simply tell him to sit and stay at the checkout counter where he remains until I return with a cart full of merchandise. Then upon my command he joins me at the counter for his reward and the opportunity to beg a second treat from the store clerk.

The fiery cloud that led Moses and the Israelites through the wilderness of the Sinai appeared as a cloud over the Tabernacle during the day and as a pillar of fire at night. It was God’s way of leading his people and assuring them of his presence. But for us today it reminds us God still gives directions in our lives. There are times of rest and settling when we need to continue serving God in the place where He has placed us. But we must be vigilant for when He asks us to uproot ourselves and trust him to help us make changes for ourselves and for others.

Teach me, Lord, the divine gift of expectant patience.

“Be still, and know that I am God!”  Psalm 46:10  NLT

Famous learns instinctively by observation. He has studied my every move since he arrived as a puppy. He knows my morning and evening routines. He knows if I am putting on a tie or certain shoes, I am about to leave and usually without him. If he sees me putting on jogging shoes, he knows he is headed outdoors with me. He further knows if I sit on the floor to watch television it is also an invitation for him to come and lie beside me.

God gave us the perfect example for our lives in Jesus Christ. But many are too busy defending their interpretation of Christ to stop and listen to Christ in their hearts today. Certainly, there are times when God calls us to action, but rarely is it truly inspired by God until we have quieted our thoughts, emptied ourselves of our own pursuits, and simply waited for God to reveal himself.

Quiet my thoughts today, Lord, so that I may truly respond to the world according to Your truth.

“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”  Luke 15:4-7  NLT

I knew it was lost. It had been missing for at least three days. But somehow, Famous’ stuffed puppy dog was not to be found. He might easily have twenty or more toys cached behind the leather recliner in the living room, but I knew this particular inanimate buddy was a favorite, perhaps because it appeared to be a miniature likeness of himself. It had not been bought in a store, but Famous had selected it in a doctor’s office during one of my interviews. It was well constructed, limited edition, as it served as a pharmaceutical’s mascot for a new drug.  After he found it, it was “bestowed” upon him by the kind physician.

But now it had vanished. After giving the house a quick search, I wondered if Famous had finally succeeded in helping one of his toys to “escape” the confines of the house. Most days he tries to carry one of his possessions out into the yard and deposit it in the grass where it is easily forgotten. If the landscapers or neighboring pets had discovered it, it might have been curtains for “pup-pup.” But a thorough hunt in the yard and garden produced no evidence of the cherished toy.

With all of his other stuffed animals, balls, and chew toys, one might think “pup-pup” would never be missed. But unlike most of the other items in his basket which were treated with great enthusiasm but quickly forgotten, like childhood presents opened beneath the Christmas tree, this little guy had a fairly high popularity rating with Famous. So on the third evening of his disappearance, I set out with Famous to discover if it could possibly be still in the house. We looked under chairs, in dark corners, the floors of closets, and behind every piece of furniture. Finally, while looking under the bed for the third time with my flashlight, I found the lost animal stashed behind a shoe-shine box. Famous was most pleased!

We should never consider one of God’s children as insignificant, or unworthy of God’s love. It is with great joy that He greets anyone who has been lost and has found his way home. Religion may be used as a vehicle of hatred, but this is a bastardization of the true message of love and peace and homecoming given to us by Christ.

Thank You, Jesus, for finding and cherishing me.

“Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy.”  Psalm 65:8  NLT

The sun marks the seasons by it progression on the horizon. Traveling further north, the sun’s march gives us light and warmth until it journeys closer to the southern skies for the alternate winter darkness and cold. If you walk a dog, you pay closer attention to the outdoors, not just in how it looks and feels, but how it affects you and your pet.

We have special opportunities to mark the seasons. The summer holds a chance for a splash in a lake, river, pond, or ocean. Fall, with its crisp air, invites us for mountain hikes and vistas. Winter, brrrrr, requires layers for me but also a few days here and there for playing in the snow. Spring brings new life, and Famous and I find ourselves exploring gardens and spending time in our own.

These special events elicit pure awe and wonder and praise. But they are also a school for teaching me to find and share the delight of my dog each and every time we experience them. One day, when he is no longer here to show me how to celebrate life, I will remember to embrace with equal enthusiasm the pure joy of a moment in a day.

Help me to bow to You in awe today, Lord, for the joyous miracles You bestow. 

“Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in every way. This all happened on the sixth day.”  Genesis 1:31  NLT

Walking through the beautiful landscape of a nearby park yesterday, Famous and I encountered a friendly lady who wanted to have a closer look at him. She endorsed having a springer when she was young and how, as an adult, she had applied to help adopt springer rescues. She found the breed particularly lovely, and I agreed. After five minutes of conversation and a patient dog waiting to get on with his promenade, she wished us a nice day and let us continue.

Genesis explains creation in part by placing the creation of people and mammals on the same day. All of the seed and fruit bearing plants and trees would provide for them. In this garden there would be peace and harmony for a time.

We need to daily cultivate a garden where the mind is at peace, thoughts are inspired, and guests are welcome. God’s creative Spirit lives in each of us, and we can tend that garden with smiles, words of encouragement, and acts of generosity.

Dear Lord, may Your Spirit breathe new and creative life in me today.

“The king cried out to the man of God, ‘Please ask the LORD your God to restore my hand again!’ So the man of God prayed to the LORD, and the king’s hand became normal again.”  I Kings 13:6  NLT

How often I have felt restored by my dog’s presence! His faithfulness and devotion are never ending. I am constantly seeking ways to enjoy the world with him. There is no way I could be shut in from the world when Famous gets so much joy from being outdoors.

Our God is One who heals. He restores vision, and hope, and health. I have seen sickened spirits in people who believe in quick fixes and miracle cures, but God is the only one who can bring about complete healing.

Dear God, help me to see what it is in my life You are trying to restore. 

“Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act.”  Psalm 37:7a  NLT

What a sweet dog Famous is! Now that we are both “middle-aged” our activity level has been dialed down a notch. When he was a puppy, he ran four road races with me in one year! I was training for longer races, so we fueled each other’s enthusiasm.

Most mornings now have me lingering over a second cup of coffee while Famous patiently waits for the order of the day. He chills in the living room, or sometimes he sits out on the back deck by himself listening to the world awakening around him. In time, I will invite him to take our usual morning walk together and start our day. But whether we are enjoying a quiet Sunday morning or facing the frenzied activity of a workday morning, he has become a great reminder of the need to quietly embrace each day and watch for God’s leading.

Still my heart, Lord, and help me to contemplate the path You have prepared for me today.

“Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me.”  Psalms 66:16  NLT

After thinking of what makes Famous happy, along with his favorite treats and belly rubs, and realizing he desires love and attention and the presence of someone to make him safe, comfortable, and cared for, I realize that in reality I, too, have a short list for satisfaction. I want to be loved, and I want to know my life has made a difference.

The first has and will forever be accomplished, for God so loved me, He sent his only Son to die for me. My life is full of blessings, not the least of which is Famous who is spending his life journey through part of my own. And although the joys of health, provisions, and family may be temporary or inconsistent, I have known them throughout my life. Mine is a unique life which allows me to see and appreciate the beauty, accomplishments, and relationships experienced by others and find deep-felt joy in them. I feel connected to the Source of Life. I am aware of His abiding Presence.

The second on my list, knowing my life is purposeful, is less obvious to me. It requires daily inspection and commitment, for to me, the importance of life is knowing I am attempting to accomplish all that God asks of me. I do not see these things as an inexhaustible list, nor one that I can complete independent of God’s gifts and favor before I die. But because I do not know all that God can do through me, there must be a daily reflection on where I have been and a seeking for guidance to help determine where I must go. This, then, becomes my daily purpose: to be an instrument for God’s goodness. It demands that I start each day open to the new possibilities of giving Good News to everyone and end each day seeking forgiveness for not taking advantage of each of these opportunities.

Heavenly Father, help me today to turn my joy for Your love into devoted service.