“Jesus replied, ‘People soon become thirsty again after drinking this water. But the water I give them takes away thirst altogether. It becomes a perpetual spring within them, giving them eternal life.'”  John 4:13-14  NLT

Another goal in keeping a dog indoors is supplying a never ending source of fresh water. This means frequently checking the water bowl to make sure a fresh drink is always available, not just at mealtimes. For me, the habit of checking the bowl each and every time I enter the kitchen has helped me to accomplish this for the most part. It is also customary to check the water bowl each time I have to leave the house and one of the first things to check  when I return. Famous does his part as well. Knowing he may have a long stay with the only facilities available being my carpet, he drinks very little during the day until he realizes he is about to go outside when he will lap up at least half of his remaining supply.

We have someone who makes sure we never have to suffer spiritual thirst. Jesus explained to the Samaritan woman her physical thirst could only be quenched temporarily. Because modern plumbing did not exist in her day, she had to transport water and then use it conservatively. Jesus explained the water of life which He could offer was not only in abundant supply, it also conquered thirst altogether. Just as I am content to supply Fame’s need for water, so Jesus is longing to cure our spiritual drought.

Jesus, let me drink from your well today so that my walk will not make me weary. 

“For the evil have no future; their light will be snuffed out.”  Proverbs 24:20  NLT

To walk in our neighborhood Famous and I have to travel on a narrow winding road. I have had to campaign for speed bumps to be placed because there are no sidewalks, and many people would drive under the assumption that only cars use the street. The road is even more dangerous at night when the visibility is cut and people are eager to get home. To give Famous an added layer of protection, I purchased a blinking light which attaches to his collar. In fact, last Christmas I gave one to almost every dog in our neighborhood. If they wear them, drivers can see them in plenty of time to slow down.

But there is no added protection for the one who lives in darkness. The light of hope cannot reach them for they have chosen mistakenly to live in sin. How ominous is their path which will surely end in doom! But we who live in the light live without fear of destruction. And it is a daily path of hope that is promised to us.

Help me to see your everlasting light, O Lord, that will illuminate my path today. 

“Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful.”  Romans 12:12  NLT

A high bed can be a bit of a challenge for a springer. I imagine if he had enough space, and a running start, he could make it with a nice leap from the floor to the top of the mattress. But before he was fully grown, and as I transitioned Famous from sleeping in his crate to sleeping at the foot of my bed, he would place his front paws on the bed when he could see it was time to go to sleep. Then without making a sound he would patiently wait for me to lift him up upon the bed. It gave him the likeness of a dog saying his prayers before going to sleep.

Almost without fail, however, he would jump down to the floor and sleep on the cool bathroom tiles at some point during the night. But, alas, this meant he would once again need assistance when in the morning he would want to rejoin me in the bed. He elicited no barking, no whimpering to wake me and get my attention. Instead, he would just gently prop his paws on the bed, wait a few seconds, and then plop down on the floor. This would continue every ten or fifteen seconds until his soft “thuds” did finally wake me, and I would retrieve him.

God has a perfect design for each and every day of our lives. With patience we can hear and see the path He has set each day. There will always be diversions, temptations, which can lead us away from his path or hide his path from us. Through the practice of spiritual presence, for example through prayer, we can find God’s path once again.

Lord, I start today in prayer so that I may see the way I am to go.

“And if we have hope in Christ only for this life, we are the most miserable people in the world.”  I Corinthians 15:19  NLT

Why would I care for Famous so if secretly I hated him? How long could I masquerade as his protector, his provider, and his teacher? My actions are a testament to the love and honor I try to bestow upon him, but perhaps more telling is his devotion to me and the spirit he has towards others. Dogs know the hand that feeds, but they also know someone’s demeanor often before humans do. I cannot take credit for the years of breeding which helped to shape his temperament, but I can be proud that he is a well-behaved, approachable, and gentle animal. Hopefully, people see his friendliness as an extension of the care I give to him.

I believe we can approach Paul’s proclamation with the same scrutiny when we ask ourselves if we have been deceived into believing and following Christ. As human beings, we cannot escape being dubious of what we believe. Hope is the glue that holds the rocks of our faith together. But as Christians we know there is evidence of more than what the world can explain. Just as Famous has become the creature he is due to love, we have become the children of God due to God’s love. This is the reason we are not to be pitied, but rather victorious — God can change us into perfect creatures!

Dear God, restore my hope if it has dwindled. Kindle in me a renewed awareness of your transforming power in my life. 

“For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are.”  Hebrews 4:12  NLT

There are many techniques used in grooming an English springer spaniel. The bench variety requires a considerable amount of grooming demanding patience, a certain amount of skill, and a cooperative dog. All that –unless you have deep pockets enabling you to pay a professional groomer. After his bath, Famous has a fitted robe he wears which allows his coat to lie flat when dry. This robe is made to slip over his head and is then fastened under his belly with a large safety pin. This is a snug fit, so careful attention has to be paid not to stick the dog or yourself as the large pin secures the sides of the robe. The result is worth the effort, and Famous knows to stand fast until I am finished. This is fortunate for him as he has never been stuck by the pin. I, on the other hand, found out from personal experience how painful a slip can be.

God’s word is a living instrument. As we are exposed to it, we find it presses us to stand still and heed its instruction and revelation. It can be as precise as a scalpel in meeting our needs and guiding our lives, and if we wear its truth in our hearts, it prepares us for all that can confront us in life.

As I hear your word today, God, let it expose the parts of me I have not completely turned over to You.

“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”  Romans 5:5  NLT

Once the cold air of winter releases its grip, and the daily walks with Famous encounter more light, more warmth, and more beauty, we have hope that each day will be sweeter and sweeter. This weekend, however, winter will send one more blast of cold, blustery weather before melting away into a new growing season. Then, the heavy parka, gloves, and scarves will be packed away for many months, and I will begin to trim Fame’s coat for a cooler summer feel.

The daily Christian walk is one that helps us to hope for eternal spring. The winter of our sin with its sadness, guilt, and suffering will one day be completely replaced with everlasting love and life. Even now we carry that hope in our hearts and search for the signs of this new life in each and every moment. Because God’s love has been poured out upon us, we can become his vessels of hope, light, and inspiration.

Dear God, help me to worship You with hope of the glorious day to come and to not be ashamed to profess your love and promises. 

 

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”  Proverbs 13:12  NLT

Teaching a dog to wait can give the master a great advantage. For example, Famous is pretty good about following commands that keep him from rushing out the front door, crossing busy roads, or leaving a secure spot. This communication gives him a layer of safety and gives me an extra layer of control.

A similar command he knows is “leave it.” This can pertain to roadkill, mushrooms, or neighbor’s trash. Perhaps it is best demonstrated when he receives a treat. As tempting as the packaged morsel is, he will not touch it if I present it to him and command him to “leave it.” Even if I leave the room, he waits for me to return and say “take it” before he gobbles it up.

Where we place our hope will govern the fulfillment we either do or do not find in life. The purpose we long for cannot be found in the fleeting things of this world. Sometimes, this realization comes too late. However, an abundant life is the reward of placing your hope and trust in the living  Lord.

Turn my longing, Lord, away from the material things that will eventually pass away and to the joy that only You can bring. 

“You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor.”  Job 11:18-19  NLT

If you follow any of the animal rescue videos circulating on social media, you will see dogs and cats found in horrendous conditions who just happen to be lucky enough to find rescue. While I find hope in the teams and veterinarians who nurse them back to health, and many of the transformations are nothing less than miraculous, I am ashamed, horrified, and sickened by the circumstances of these forgotten, abandoned, and abused animals. I find it no small task to attempt to provide the safest, happiest, and most comfortable existence I can for Famous. It does not make up for the hundreds of thousands of suffering animals in the world, but it helps to know I try to honor the life found in my pet.

Faith is essential in facing all of the evil in the world. Without faith, hope becomes obscured, fleeting. It becomes difficult to conquer fear. Perhaps Fame’s most assuring affirmation of his sense of safety and security comes when he lies down at my side. With just a touch of my arm on his side he heaves a sigh of relief. He inspires me to give over all of my insecurities and fears to God in whom I place my trust.

Father of all life, remind me of the hope this day holds for me because of your love.

“‘Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged,’ Joshua told his men. ‘Be strong and courageous, for the Lord is going to do this to all of your enemies.'”  Joshua 10:25  NLT

Famous and I are blessed. We have many friends and few adversaries. He has such a pleasant disposition not even bad weather can spoil his day. Despite cold, hot, wet, windy, or icy conditions, Famous is eager to experience being in the “elements.”

When he was younger, I noticed he would become excited with the thunder of an approaching storm. He would bark back at the rolling booms that would shake the house. So I decided during one particularly noisy storm to open the back door, lie down with him on the floor, and give him words of assurance while we waited for the storm to pass. It seemed to help him quiet down and relax. Now he seems to accept storms as normal if I am home. But I do plan our walks before and after them if possible.

God has done so much for us to help us in this life. He is there during the storms of life and in the quiet moments that follow.

God, help me when I am afraid, when I have forgotten that You are near.

“Jesus said, ‘How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.'”  Mark 4:30-32  NLT

During our walk today a lady stopped her car, rolled down the window, and said, “Hello! May I pet your dog?” This is not the first time Famous has elicited such a reaction. He was patient while she bent over to tell him what a beautiful dog he was. But having just left the house, he gave less attention to his new admirer and more to wanting to continue our walk so that he could “take care of business.” But it was long enough to put a smile on the lady’s face and have her tell me we had just “made her day.”

I try not to be amazed, but joyful, whenever Famous encounters the world in different and special ways. It reminds me he is a gift and has great potential to affect the lives of others. His potential is like that of the mustard seed. It would be easy to say he is just a dog. And I might be content to just have him around to keep me company. But believing he has the potential to bring joy, to remind us that there is a God, and to shed inspirational light on the relationship we have with God, shows us all the mystery of God’s revelation!

Dear God, open my eyes and heart today to your work even in the small and inconspicuous things I encounter today.