“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death?”  Romans 8:35  NLT

If you are a pet owner, think about how much you love him. As a responsible pet owner, do you not make every arrangement to see he is fed, warm, and safe? When the two of you are separated for more than a day, does your affection not grow deeper? In response to the care we give our pets, they develop an assurance when they are at home with us. They know they belong. We have been given the same assurance by Christ’s sacrifice for us.

Love is the great liberator, and I choose to believe God has given me this wonderful experience with my dog, Famous, so that I might have a glimpse of the love He has for me. Christ gave his life for us. His sacrifice should amaze us each day.

Lord, I know my needs are met each day by you. Free me from the fear of want today. 

“One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying.”  Acts 16:14  NLT

Training classes for dogs rely on the owner’s ability to help the animal focus and respond with predictable behavior. In puppy classes with Famous, I learned to do this with a loud “clicker” and with treats. When Famous listened to my voice or followed my hand signals, I would simply click and treat. I was amazed how quickly he could learn “tricks” even in a store filled with other barking and whining dogs.

There is a lesson here for all of us. We cannot worship God without listening to Him. This involves more than hearing the preached words of a sermon. It involves opening the heart and examining the emotions and motivations that drive our responses. It also involves focusing on His voice amidst the din of our everyday lives. Our reward will be a more spiritual life blessed with the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Open my heart, Lord, and help me to listen for your voice. 

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you.”  I Peter 5:7  NLT

I brought Famous home as a puppy. The first week that summer was so much fun! I did not even mind the midnight trips outside to assist with the house training. But after the first week his energy level dropped as an infection set into his respiratory system.

The veterinarian was baffled, but antibiotics were prescribed. Then his appetite waned, and even the breeder’s advice was not beneficial in getting him to eat. IV fluids were given the next week as he began to lose what little weight was on his small furry frame. Then new antibiotics were ordered. Finally, when he could barely pick himself up off of the floor, I felt it was necessary to force feed small morsels of food to the poor guy. A few days later his energy level was noticeably improved and his strength began to return. His appetite increased and his congestion abated.

Through the crisis I realized how much I cared for him and had been caring for him even before I brought him home. Yet, the love I had quickly developed for this puppy was nothing compared to the care God has for you and for me. Knowing God cares affords us a marvelous courage and peace in times of trouble.

Heavenly Father, I cast all of my cares and doubts upon you. Thank you for loving me enough to handle even my most insignificant worry.

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again–rejoice!”  Philippians 4:4  NLT

It is easy to interpret a dog’s tail-wagging eagerness as joy whether or not it is anything similar to the human emotion. Once my dog is presented with the prospect of getting outside (regardless of rain showers, snow storms, or even sweltering summer heat) his enthusiasm is demonstrated without fail. Our path is usually the same, since I live in a cul-de-sac, and Famous has his customary landmarks. But, despite the repetition, he has yet to exhibit anything other than what I would call “glee” whenever we head to the door.

I have speculated if my days could also improve if I found that same enthusiasm heading out the door to work, meetings, and even church. Certainly, there would be a new appreciation for what is possible. Just as a dog finds ample evidence of change throughout our small neighborhood, I should be seeking the God-given clues in my day for direction, fulfillment, and enjoyment.

Dear Lord, I rejoice in this day. I rejoice in the awareness of your Presence. 

“For the spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”  Job 33:4  NLT

For the duration of our lives on earth, the Creator grants us daily breath that sustains us and enables us to exist in our bodies of flesh. And unless we are on life support or burdened with chronic lung disease, we go about our daily routines taking this life-sustaining gift for granted!

About the time I brought home my puppy, I had begun taking yoga classes. I had no idea how important the breath is to the practice of yoga. It is through the breathing one can find the greatest concentration  and relaxation. It truly requires an appreciation for the air that is constantly moving in your body.

Besides being a great inspiration for perfecting the yoga position “down-facing dog,” Famous also showed great interest in the sounds of my daily breath. He noticed the changes in my respiratory rate and lung volume each morning as I awoke and would watch me instinctively for my first stirrings.

If God could create such attentiveness in one of his creatures, how much more then is He aware of every breath we take? And could He possibly be so interested were it not also his plan to offer us everlasting breath and life?

Renew me today, Lord, with your Holy Spirit. Remind me of the precious gift contained in each of the breaths I take!

“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24  NLT

Whenever a new dog arrives into your home, you are about to create a year of “firsts.” There is the first Christmas, the first beach trip, the first birthday, not to mention the first carpet stain, scratched door, and teeth marks on the furniture. I remember Famous’ first swim in the lake, the first time he sniffed snow, and the first time we hiked a mountain. I had experienced all these things before, but he gave them a new dimension. Essentially, these ordinary occurrences were made new again.

How often do we greet the morning with the understanding that God has given us a brand new day filled with miracles and possibilities? God has created each cycle of day and night for his purpose and for our pleasure. We should be glad He can re-create us with every sunrise.

Lord, I rejoice in the newness of this day!

“And may the Lord make your love grow and overflow to each other and to everyone else, just as our love overflows toward you.”  I Thessalonians 3:12  NLT

Perhaps bringing a dog into one’s life does increase our ability to love. What capacity we do have to care can sometimes get pushed aside by the fast-paced world in which we live. It was only after I started walking Famous that I met most of my neighbors in my development. Conversations during these walks led to a new awareness of what was happening to the people in our community. And I have found few things that can slow you down on a trek around the block like having to wait for a dog to find the right spot to do his “business,” providing ample time for a friendly conversation.

God wants us to understand that love, like electricity, does nothing unless it is moving. It has to pass from heart to heart. We first must love God, for He is the source of all love. But his love must be transmitted by receiving it and then showing compassion, concern, and care to the people, pets, and causes we encounter each day.

Dogs seem to have the purpose in my opinion of igniting a sense of appreciation in us for their affection so that our grateful hearts are opened to loving others.

Let my heart receive your love, Lord, and be moved to share it today. 

“The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.”  Proverbs 18:10  NLT

One of the main Hebrew words associated with God is El which means might or strength. God is often depicted as a fortress or tower to denote permanence and refuge. The protection sought by the Israelites came from a true God and not a false deity.

As a puppy, Famous learned the “hustle” command. From a distance he would hear me call his name with the encouragement to run as fast as he could into my arms where he would be lavished with praises and hugs. The command served two purposes: to reward his obedience and to avert him from running away into a dangerous situation. Not long after this training his life may have been saved by my using the “hustle” as he had pulled out of a loose collar as we were walking near a busy street.

As we learn to trust God, He assures us with protection, providing strength for our most difficult days. He is our “mighty fortress.”

Father, I run into your open arms this day for refuge and strength. 

“He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”  Daniel 6:27  NLT

Not long ago, the media ran a story of a boy whose life had been saved by the family dog during a sudden cougar attack. Before the child even knew what was taking place, the dog had thrown himself between the boy and the cougar, taking upon himself the vicious claws and teeth, giving the boy an opportunity to escape, and convincing the cougar he could find easier prey elsewhere.

Most of us probably are clueless to the potential threats surrounding us during each day. We usually  react with disbelief if we hear of crimes committed in our own neighborhoods. Wars, natural disasters, and terrorist bombings are subjects for the evening news. How could they possibly happen to us?

God does watch over us. But in this world are many evils. He knows the dangers before they are revealed to us. Remaining close to God is our best defense in uncertain days.

God, watch over me today and protect me from unseen dangers. 

“My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.”  Psalm 73:26  NLT

Before I met Famous I had taken an interest in books, fiction and non-fiction, about dogs. Most of these doggie “tales” told a beautiful story of a relationship between a dog and his human. And each one ended, sadly and true to life, with the death of the pet. (Sometimes a few humans died along the way.) I would find myself avoiding the final chapters, empathizing with the grief of the dog’s master, until I would finally find the courage to read the “end.” Then whether I was home alone or traveling through an airport among countless strangers, I would finish the author’s words, tissues at the ready, succumbing to the tears streaming down my face.

I began to cynically design my own book that would announce in the prologue the impending doom of the dog, the author, and at some point in time, the reader! But I also asked myself if I was prepared to bring home, care for, and pour my heart into a creature that would more than likely expire before I did.

God knows our frailties. He knows we suffer. And when the things of this world pass away, He remains. The joy Famous brings will be celebrated long after his life with me has ended.

Lord, strengthen my heart this day for the joys and sorrows that await me.