“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”  Ephesians 4:2  NLT

Discipline requires patience. If acquired behaviors were easy, they would not require the steady, repetitive duty of learning. Dogs respond to repetition. Famous seems most content when our day is “routine.” He knows he is safe if he stays home while I am away, and his stress is minimized in new environments if I am there with him. It is consistency which gives him the expectation which calms him.

But the owner has to be consistent in his patience. Dogs are very observant, and once they see behaviors which are erratic or cruel, their trust can be lost. But a continuous affirmation of your affection can make them attentive and willing to comply with the discipline of learning.

We will make mistakes in our daily walks because we, unlike Christ, are not made perfect. But if we show patience to one another, then we can encourage each other to learn more about how we can live a life full of faith.

Today, Lord, I ask for patience in my growing and in my being.

“For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.”  Psalm 84:11  NLT

Discipline has two inherent components: requirement and reward. These two components are the guiding principles in dog training. If the required response is given to a command, a response which is correct and done in a timely manner, then a blessing in the form of a reward is granted.

During his obedience training Famous was a big fan of liver treats. Appropriate behaviors  were instantly rewarded with these bite-sized treats until the behavior was solicited without the treat. Then a reward of praise was given for a job well done.

The practice of spiritual discipline guides us in our efforts to act in appropriate and timely ways. Our reward is the spiritual and peaceful blessing of being on the path God has set before us.

Christ, be before me, beside me, beneath me, above me, and behind me today as I work to stay on the path of righteousness. 

 

“Do not stay so far from me, for trouble is near, and no one else can help me.”  Psalm 22:11  NLT

Even walking on a retractable leash, Famous knows its limits. After thousands of walks, he knows the length of the nylon ribbon, how far he can go in front of me or up into the grass. He has learned if he sees a squirrel or a rabbit while we are walking through the neighborhood it would be futile to pursue it unless he wants to have the collar dig into his neck as he reaches the end of the line. He also knows he can only move along at a certain pace unless I get the urge to run along beside him. He’s also quick to figure out that the two of us cannot pass on opposite sides of a vertical obstruction such as a tree or a pole.

These words from the psalmist speak of fear and isolation and foreshadow the death of Jesus on the cross. We should rejoice in the knowledge that God is near us all the time. Instead we are constantly testing the limits of his influence in our lives, forgetting that without God we would have no life at all.

Dear Christ, because of your sacrifice for me, my life is redeemed, and I can live without fear because of your bonds of love.

“Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the LORD your God disciplines you for your own good. So obey the commands of the LORD your God by walking in his ways and fearing him.”  Deuteronomy 8:5-6  NLT

I know I am able to enjoy many activities outside of the house with Famous because of training him when he was a younger dog. I learned early on that the benefits went beyond knowing he would do as I commanded. In fact, both my safety and his are improved just by the few weeks of training we went through his first year of life. This was quite evident this weekend when three dogs ventured into our yard.

All sorts of alarms began to go off in my head as three unaccompanied dogs were spotted in my neighbor’s backyard–two pit bulls and a Rottweiler. Famous, being used to greeting other dogs on our walks, beat me to the edge of the yard where the dogs were already interested in him. I could see they wore collars with tags, but being strange to our yard, they might have caused potential harm to a smaller breed like Famous. Fortunately, they passed on through the neighborhood, and Famous returned home with me without incident.

How many teachers have I had in my life, sent by God to disciple, mentor, and guide me so that I would know how to respond to potentially harmful situations and temptations? Our respect for God keeps us observant of his commandments and walking the path He has set before us. Then, we, ourselves, are able to become the teachers to others.

Help me to honor your commands, O Lord, today and always.

“If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”  Luke 9:24  NLT

This has been a week to remember and give solemn thanks for the lives of men and women, and even service dogs, who have given the ultimate sacrifice. The memory of their efforts in protecting and preserving the world we enjoy means they did not die in vain. To remember death comes to all of us elevates our appreciation of each and every breath we take.

But what good is a life preserved if it is lived in fear, or greed, or vanity? A truly liberated life is one where each moment spent is in harmony with the will of Christ. Famous reminds me to lift up my heart in praise for each moment and to see the world through different eyes than my own. The same inspiration comes from the memories of those we have loved who no longer walk this earth but who continue to inspire and teach us.

Today, I will remember and seek God’s power to let go of self.

“If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.”  Luke 14:26  NLT

Famous has one master. It makes his obedience a simple matter instead of a complicated one. He still has “free will” by his instinct, so he does have to choose whether he is going to follow me into the house or be left outside alone. And, yes, sometimes he chooses to remain out on the lawn, but I have never abandoned him, always keeping him in eyesight.

God commands us to have no other gods before him. Christ explains that we cannot serve two masters. If we give our love to anything else, relatives, possessions, or philosophies, then we sacrifice our commitment to him. I am not saying God tells us not to love others, but to love them with the love of the Lord. If we turn our energies to pleasing the One true Master, then He will order our lives, freeing us from confusion and fear, and enslavement to false gods and idle purposes. Rather than worshiping Famous, I am dedicated to celebrating the God-given joy he brings.

God, You alone shall be my heart’s desire.

“so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people.”  Hebrews 9:28a  NLT

Owners speak of the responsibilities they have regarding their pets. These are sometimes regarded as duties, but usually I see them as sacrifices. There are the sacrifices of time and money. But there are also sacrifices of self; that is, where I put Fame’s well-being before mine. Each one may seem insignificant in itself. For example, I might take him for a walk before having my first cup of coffee, or I might head straight home after work instead of going out for dinner. Once I slept on the floor for several months to keep him from jumping down from the bed in the middle of the night while he was developing bursitis.

Together these sacrifices add up to part of the relationship between human and dog. Christ’s one sacrifice for all humanity surpasses all that we could ever attempt to do to repay him. But just as the daily sacrifices I make for Famous make our relationship stronger, the daily commitment to follow in Christ’s steps makes us stronger by freeing us from the fears and sins of this world.

Teach me the value of giving up everything for You, Lord Christ.

“But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.’”  Mark 5:36  NLT

Faith overcomes fear.

Famous is pretty chill as he makes his rounds through the neighborhood. He gets along well with other dogs, and he makes friends easily. I cannot say that about every other dog on our walk. There are many yapping barkers who discourage our approach. I imagine this is often inherent in the breed’s temperament. But I have also learned our animals pick up on our own emotions. It seems obvious to me the barking is encouraged when the human is yelling at them to be quiet. Either way, it can be a lot of commotion.

When we let our fears run our lives, we drown out God’s steady, empowering voice of calm. We are convinced that no one is in control, and panic sets in. On our walks together, I cannot help but sense we are working along side each other. We are bound by the leash which gives us both more security. If we are bound by the bonds of faith with our Lord, we have the added courage of knowing He is by our side.

Help me to remember You are always beside me in my work each day.

“We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need.”  Colossians 1:11  NLT

Famous is a great teacher when it comes to patience. How he sits patiently waiting for me to want to venture back outdoors for a hike! And I know the hours must creep by as he waits for the sound of my car to pull into the driveway. I try to return the favor on every neighborhood walk. Even the ones in the morning when I might be late for the office find me allowing him to explore whatever bush or curb holds his interest. This is his reward for waiting patiently by my side.

There are also great rewards in waiting for God. We have opportunities of renewed strength and courage. We have the occasion for reflection and meditation to help guide us. Time cannot restrict God the way it does us, yet He uses timing to order the events happening around us. He knows the lessons and the endurances which can make us his greatest witnesses, and He will reveal their purposes when we need them the most.

Father, give me patience and endurance today by your Holy Spirit.

 

“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”  Ecclesiastes 3:11  NLT

If you love creatures, you find the beauty in their form. Regarding Famous, I have always been quite enthralled by his eyes and his expressiveness. I know God planned for his striking appearance to always be a reminder of the attention He gives to his creation. He has planted an eternal affection in me for Famous which in turn helps me to praise my Creator.

I regard Famous as only a part of God’s work in me. I am constantly seeking the significance of our time together, knowing one day this daily journey will end. If joy is truly in the journey, then my cup runneth over. I cannot see all that God has in store for me, but I know He will bless me with joys such as those I know with Famous, those with eternal significance, as long as I surrender myself to doing his will.

“Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee. “