“When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before him and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”  Matthew 2:10-11  NLT

Today is Epiphany–a time when God’s work is revealed. But revelation does not easily come to those who are not prepared, who are not curious enough to look for a sign.

A dog sees the world differently from his master. You and I might take notice of the slow and subtle changes of the seasons, but during our daily walks our canine friends are eagerly taking in every new scent that has been “deposited” since the last outdoor adventure. Much is new on each hike, and if you observe a sniffer like Famous, his snout is investigating every inch of ground along the way.

By not expecting God’s miracles on a daily basis, we lull ourselves into comfortable complacency and misplaced self-confidence. Suddenly, a crisis arises, a loved one falls ill, and we suffer because we have forgotten to find God among us.

Father, I seek forgiveness for being blind to your miracles which you place in my path every day. Help me to place my trust in you so that I may discover your revelation in each and every moment.

“His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure.”  Ephesians 1:5  NLT

Who can say if dogs understand more than their human counterparts the need to belong? Instinctively, they stay in packs. This has increased their capacity to survive and probably explains part of the long history that has been forged between humans and domesticated canines.

As independent as we attempt to be, we also have a yearning for family, camaraderie, and community. Once we realize God has made provisions for these needs, our fears of loneliness, isolation, and banishment fade away.

Often at the end of the day, Famous will curl up near my feet and doze. If I take just a moment to sit beside him and place my hand across his back, he lets go a heavy sigh. He knows he belongs!

It gives my heart great joy to call you Father! Thank you for making me your child!

“Anna, a prophet, was also there in the temple. She was now eighty-four years old. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer.”  Luke 2:36a, 37  NLT

How impatient we have become in today’s society! If there is something to be had, we want it instantly. The fast food lane is never fast enough, and e-mail and tweets have replaced “snail” mail. Soon we will be expecting drones to expedite same-day delivery by giving us same-hour arrival. Most of us could never relate to our grandparents’ or great-grandparents’ time-consuming tasks of sowing, nurturing, and harvesting food for our tables while we have it instantly displayed in the local markets. Ironically, we continue to pursue time-saving measures, and yet, we never seem to have time to spare.

One of the first tricks my dog learned was to leave his treat alone until I granted him permission to consume it. As much as I could see he wanted that delicious little morsel, he would lie on the ground motionless until he heard my cue. Then, with glee and satisfaction, he would gobble up his reward. Anna, in contrast to us, had plenty of time. She worked many years at growing her trust, waiting diligently on God’s blessing. Finally, God rewarded her patience by allowing her to meet the Messiah face to face.

Prepare me, Master, with the quiet gift of patience so that I too can continue to see with glee the blessings You wish to bestow upon me.

 

“There are three things that will endure — faith, hope, and love — and the greatest of these is love.”  I Corinthians 13:13  NLT

As a child I learned the cheerful song that ends, “God is love, God is love!” As I grew up I became even more aware of the very nature of God’ essence as love. It really is that simple. Theologians may weave intricate explanations in an effort to grasp particular aspects of the relationship between creation and Creator. But ultimately I have found more understanding comes from an open heart.

I would not be the first to say our pets see their owners as god-like creatures. I think a better description would be we find in them the type of adoration we should show to our Master. Day in and day out my dog demonstrates how I should soar up to God, jump into His arms, and adore Him in an eternal moment.

Ultimately, this is my desire: to free my heart from earth-bound oppression so that I may open my eyes and heart to God’s love.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, which I will lift up to you in thankfulness and praise.

Continue reading “January 3” →

“Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; celebrate his wonderful name with music.”  Psalm 135:3 NLT

I have found a connection to my dog through music. Music has always been a part of my life and my worship. But until I brought Famous home, I did not realize it could also be a tool for creating a bond to this wonderful creature.

On the day we met, as I was packing him into his new crate, five hours from what would become his new home, his breeder began to tell me he would cry and yelp for about thirty minutes. “Did you bring earplugs?” she asked. I could only think of the distressed look in the eyes of the pup’s mother as I carried away the last of her precious bundles.

Driving down the long driveway of the farm all I could hear were his ear-piercing cries for help against this sudden abduction. I decided to switch on the radio and began to sing amidst the din he was making. Amazingly, in minutes he settled into a soft whimper and then a quiet slumber for the remainder of the trip.

In my journey of faith, music has always been an integral component of worship. This gift that so enables me to connect with the loving Father has now become a means to connect with my loving pet.

Today I celebrate all gifts which come from above.

"Ce qu'il y a de meilleur dans l'homme, c'est le chien."

(The best thing about a man is his dog.)

Alexandre Vialatte

“Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth!”  Psalm 66:1  NLT

Everyday, but even more so the day that inaugurates a new year, our purpose is to praise God, our Creator. Each morning, Famous, my English springer spaniel, joyfully greets me when he senses my stirring. He watches attentively to see if I am simply  turning under the sheets or if I am ready to throw back the covers and surrender to the dawn. He awaits the moment when we are granted the opportunity of sharing a brand new day.

It is then that I am reminded to greet the One who has provided for me. God bestows life to me and to this adoring animal who gives me joy, comfort, and affection. How much greater then is God’s pleasure when I praise Him for the dawning of a new year, the capacity to feel His love, and the sustaining protection and nurture which are mine for the asking?

My companion creature reminds me, as my eyes open, to keep looking for God’s miracles in the day and year to come.

God, I praise you for your creation. You do not ignore me nor withhold your unfailing love from me. Amen.