“But his bow remained strong, and his arms were strengthened by the Mighty One of Jacob, the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel.”  Genesis 49:24  NLT

Hiking with Famous has been a fun adventure. It can also be a great work-out if we head to a mountain trail. Famous tends to see a rock staircase as a challenge–one he would conquer all at once rather than in stages. Once we start up, it is my job to navigate the steps and exposed rock to keep up with him as he bounds higher and higher in order to not slow his momentum.

We usually take a long rest at the top to enjoy the view and one of my granola snacks. Then we head down and my job turns into keeping him from traveling too fast lest one of us lose our footing. We both are ready for a long rest after such a day, our tired legs strengthened by the exercise, and our minds renewed by the change of scenery.

The metaphor of a rock for our God is used many times in the Old Testament. It shows us that God is strong, enduring, and our defense. He can support all of us in our weaknesses, and we can cling to him when it seems we cannot take another step.

Dear God, help me to rise above my challenges today so that I may see your holiness and honor You with praise!

 

“‘I am God,’ the voice said, ‘the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will see to it that you become a great nation there.'”  Genesis 46:3  NLT

Occasionally, I have to coax Famous into doing something that he resists, even though I know he will be glad he did. A simple example is heading out the door and getting him to go into the car when he would prefer to take a walk. Often, if we have time, I take him on the short walk before the ride anyway. But if I am in a hurry, I might try to load him up right away. He has no way of understanding that after a short ride, we will arrive at the park, and he can walk to his heart’s content. His resisting only delays his pleasure.

At times, we resist the promptings of our Father in heaven. Because we try to obtain what we think is best, or try to determine on our own what order events must occur, we can be guilty of refusing to accept the blessings God has in store for us. In Jacob’s case, he had to belay his fear and understand God required him to move his family to Egypt where he would be reunited with his son, Joseph, and his family would be saved from starvation.

Dear God, allow me to hear and to follow your voice above everything else which distracts me today.

“Do not be afraid, for I am with you and will bless you.”  Genesis 26:24  NLT

The veterinarian’s office can be a pretty scary place for an animal. Cold floors coupled with strange smells and distant howls can easily put a dog on edge. Waiting for the vet to arrive while sitting in a small enclosed examination room does not help the situation. Fortunately, we rarely have to visit our vet more than once a year. But even in the middle of summer, which is when our annual visit takes place, I have seen Famous start to shiver in fear. He will back up to me, and I will try to calm him with steady words of assurance and lots of back massages. The staff always does a great job with him, and then it’s back into the fresh outdoor air and a visit to the pet store for a special treat when it is all over.

When we are afraid, when we cannot tell what the future holds, it is helpful to know God knows more than we do. Drawing close to him for comfort and blessing can help us experience his peace and enable us to find strength and perseverance.

Thank you, God, for all of your protection. Help me to rely on You in all situations today.

“And blessed be God Most High, who has helped you conquer your enemies.”  Genesis 14:20a  NLT

“SQUIRREL!” The very sight of a squirrel sends instinctive shivers down the spine of Famous. Then there is the low growl, sometimes the whine, and then the barking to let me know we have got to do something! I will sometimes open the front door so he can scare the rodent back into the woods or out of the garden. Famous always feels a sense of accomplishment. (He never had the intention to actually catch it.) I suppose to him it is more sport than kill. Whenever we see a squirrel while walking, he usually ignores them, or at least watches them to make sure they are getting out of our way.

Our society is ready and willing to tell us all how to change our lives to make them better. Strength, beauty, intelligence, power, and wealth are some of the common lures. But lives without purpose have enemies attacking on all sides. How long do these worldly gods protect us from the enemies of fear, neglect, hopelessness, and abandonment? God blesses those who fear him, and He will not turn you over to the enemy.

Dear Lord, show me the way whereby I can see your victory over my enemies! Grant me the courage to believe in your power.

“Live in such a way that God’s love can bless you as you wait for the eternal life that our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy is going to give you.”  Jude 21  NLT

During the second summer with Famous, I decided it was time to give him a chance to develop his swimming skills. He had been in the pool with me the year before, but his rear kept sinking in a way that he was not able to go anywhere, even though he could keep his head above water.

But this time he was older and going to the lake for the first time. Because I wanted to to avoid the rocky bottom of the shore, jumping off of the boat dock was the preferred way to get in. Famous was intimidated at first by the drop-off from the dock to the water. He wanted so desperately to follow me. I would get back on shore, take him to the edge, and jump in. He would almost lean off of the wooden pier, and then he would back off, barking for help. I would call for him to jump, but he just couldn’t quite understand how to take his feet off of the pier and get to me as I bobbed up and down in the water.

So I decided to demonstrate over and over again how to take a step and jump out over the water. Seeing me do it several times finally gave him the confidence to follow me, and once he had made a successful leap, there was no stopping him.

Sometimes it is hard to figure out life. We may attempt time and time again to make something happen knowing and believing God wants the very best for us. But He has already shown us how to live life so that we can receive his blessings, and his blessings include the hope in our lives of a joyful reunion with him.

Dear Lord, I pray for courage today to attempt great leaps of faith!

 

“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.”  Habakkuk 3:17-18  NLT

Spring could not be more beautiful this year! As much as Famous enjoys being in the fresh air, I am happy to celebrate the return of warmer winds and bountiful nature. Garden blooms are peaking and the bluebirds have returned to their house. We enjoy working in the yard and sitting on the deck, thankful for the sights and sounds and the ability to share them with each other.

But let us not forget to praise God at all times. Certainly it is easy when life is so good, when I can laugh at Famous chasing the squirrels and watch him dozing in a the cool shade on a lazy afternoon surrounded by a carpet of rose petals. By celebrating God’s goodness when life is easy, we can prepare ourselves spiritually for the days when life becomes a struggle, when the earth is not kind, and when we suffer in solitude. True joy comes not from the things we have, and it cannot be dissipated by harsh days. Rather God’s blessing comes in the awareness of his presence, in all times, and in all circumstances.

Dear Lord, I accept Your blessing upon me today and every day.

“O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures.”  Psalm 104:24  NLT

There are seventeen breeds of spaniels and nine of these are the sporting spaniels. The English Springer Spaniel, Famous for example, is one of the sporting dogs. Famous has a predominantly liver coat with white markings, but the standard also includes black and white, and tricolor coats. The coat is both beautiful and functional. In a healthy dog there is a glossy sheen to the coat, and its thickness and length have made it impermeable to most brambles and briers.

It only takes a moment to look around (or up) to find something lovely and wonderful created by God. These are the creations which connect us to the One who created us.

Forgive me, Father, when I refuse to recognize your hand in the beauty around me today.

 

“And so, my children, listen to me, for happy are all who follow my ways. Listen to my counsel and be wise. Don’t ignore it.”  Proverbs 8:32-33  NLT

As much as I would love for Famous to be able to roam the neighborhood on his own, I understand the value of having him on a lead. For one thing, he expects this ritual, and it gives him confidence that I will accompany him on both short and long hikes. Next, it reinforces commands he is to follow knowing traffic is something to anticipate, not complicate. And then there are those special times like this morning when a snake appeared in the road. Famous was a few steps in front of me, but I was able to see this was no branch in the middle of the street as we see so often following storms. I was successful in redirecting his path and then see that the creature had probably met his demise a few hours earlier while one of my neighbors was leaving. Whether or not the strike was intentional, I was glad the obstacle presented no danger to either of us.

Without forcing his children, God gives happiness to us when we listen and obey. We are wise to realize He sees dangers before we know they are there, and He grants protection if we only obey Him.

Father, I do not know everything that waits to trick, trap, or tantalize me today. Make me mindful of your instruction before I am ensnared. 

“Everyone will live in peace and prosperity, enjoying their own grapevines and fig trees, for there will be nothing to fear.”  Micah 4:4  NLT

Famous has a few choice spots in the yard where he is most content. The first one which comes to mind is under the shade of a big oak tree in the back yard. There is a little rise behind the house, and the elevation gives him a perfect line-of-sight in two directions where he can see anything approaching from the driveway or behind the neighbors’ homes. He appears to be at perfect peace having escaped the confines of the house and fearless as a lion over all he surveys. He can enjoy the cool of the shade while keeping vigil at the same time.

These words from Micah are meant to encourage us to not lose hope in current days. As much as we try to provide the ideal world for our own pets, we must realize that our lives can be devastated by wars, poverty, and fear. But God promises a time when the world will be at peace and everyone will share the bounty of the earth. Such a place cannot exist where people deny God’s sovereignty and hoard the earth’s resources for their own purposes. As long as people worship greed and power, other people will suffer with want and fear.

Dear God, help me to be a better steward of the blessings You bestow each and every day.