“When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers— the moon and the stars you set in place—”  Psalm 8:3  NLT

It was as if he were stepping into an artist’s painting. We were heading towards the end of the drive and had just passed the last curve before the road slightly rises to the entrance of the development. There, as if we were viewing a romantic night landscape, rose a bright full moon centered directly ahead of us. It washed the velvety dark blue sky with moon glow and cast a silvery hue on the dark road ahead of us turning it into a river of light. The pen oaks planted on either side of the entrance framed the scene with their dueling canopies.  Sparkling throughout the sky were the universe’s jewels of stars and planets. And the white night light attached to the collar Famous was wearing gave off a lustrous glow making it appear he was wearing a miniature moon. It was as if the universe had prepped the canvas, and Famous was the finishing touch.

The universe is the testament to God’s power. Its beauty demonstrates his love for us.

Dear God, show me today a bit of darkness that needs the light of Your love. 

“I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”  Isaiah 43:25  ESV

I would not exactly call it a sin–more of a transgression, especially if he has just had a bath. I am talking about a dog’s habit of investigating the smells near car tires. I understand other dogs will mark the tires, so Famous will find it natural to be attracted to them. But occasionally, he will get a little too close and come away with a black, oily smear across his white muzzle. It is a sure tell of his actions.

I wonder how we would navigate through the day if our skins became blotted with stains from our selfishness, greed, hate, and acts of evil. Would we have to wear robes and masks to hide our evil to the world? Would we seek cosmetics and spas promising to dissolve and fade our marks, or would we begin to practice more “clean” living?

God has the power to forgive our transgressions and forget their consequences. He has the only true power to wash us clean from sin and renew our hearts and souls.

Teach me to walk in the path of righteousness and not in the ways of sin and death.

“Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming!”  Song of Solomon 2:15  NLT

Famous had been my companion throughout the day. For being such a good dog wherever we had been, he was allowed to cross the street to the park during our late evening walk. The air had turned cooler, and I was thankful I had grabbed a jacket for what was likely to be an additional ten or fifteen minutes to our stroll. Rather than walk the circumference of the ball field, I guided Famous around the school parking area. As we made our last turn there appeared to be what looked like a little Corgi suddenly facing us about fifty feet away. I thought it was odd to see a dog out this late by itself. But as soon as it saw us, it turned and raced around us through the parking lot. It was a fox. It sailed across the pavement in the moonlight, its bushy tail trailing along behind doubling the animal’s length. Famous and I both turned and watched it run into the night.

It was not the first fox I had seen near our house, and to my knowledge I have never seen the coyotes that have been spotted in nearby parks and downtown streets. And even though he was quite amazing, I was very glad the fox did not want to have anything to do with us.

If your heart is set on doing God’s will and loving him with all of your heart, rest assured there will be little foxes who will try to trip you up or distract you. Keep vigilant and follow God’s commandments.

Keep my path clear today, Lord, that I might not be tempted to sin against You.

“Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.”  Romans 15:7  NLT

Perhaps one of the hallmarks of glorifying God is the ability to live in harmony. This is very easy for me in my existence with Famous. He is normally a peaceful dog, I would say a happy dog, and our hours together are very pleasant. I have learned to anticipate his needs, and he has learned to expect certain behaviors from me. He helps me to meditate on simpler, kinder moments that leave me smiling. Our acceptance of each other is anything but complicated.

I have to ask myself if this helps me to live more harmoniously with the world around me. I would answer, in part, yes if it helps me to be honest in a basic way and able to discern the truth about complicated and deceitful events occurring every moment around me. I know that everything which is good for me may not be good for Famous. Therefore, I must pause and see my choices through the filter of caring for him. This should be the same way we make choices: knowing they should also benefit God’s people and world.

Keep me focused on glorifying You today, Lord, never forgetting to live in peace with Your creation.

“As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he rose and followed him.”  Matthew 9:9  ESV

It was only supposed to be for a minute or two.

We had finished dinner, and Famous had taken up his post out on the deck. I sank down in the leather recliner in the living room to close my eyes before heading back out to lead church rehearsals. With my feet propped up and the warm breeze coming in through the screen door, I dozed off in a very relaxing nap. Suddenly, Famous started barking at a squirrel just in time to wake me and allow me to get to church on time. Maybe he knew I needed a live alarm clock.

Jesus calls us from the routine of the day to follow his leading and to walk in his steps. When He does call, will we choose to follow him or remain oblivious to the opportunities where He can use us?

Today I pray for attentiveness to Your instructions and leading, O Lord!

“They were calling out to each other, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!'”  Isaiah 6:3  NLT

Perhaps I complain a bit too much about walking with Famous in the cold of winter. It certainly is a sharp contrast to a beautiful day like today with its warm sun and refreshing breezes. But whether it is cold or hot, I take great joy in walking with him throughout the day.

This afternoon I attempted to check social media and a few e-mails on my phone as soon as we stepped outside. But it only took a few yards before I remembered this was not the purpose of being outside with Famous. For one thing it keeps me from focusing on him and watching him interact with the world. It is so nice to leave my agenda behind and just watch him move down the street. He has a dignified gait and a handsome demeanor in his movement. I try to memorize the pattern of his four paws touching the ground before they gently turn up behind his legs and then stretch out again in front while holding his head high.

I miss that if I am watching a digital screen. I also fail to notice the sounds and smells of spring if I am disengaged. I would miss the scent of rose and holly, honeysuckle, and freshly mown grass. I would miss the shape of a tree with its new canopy of leaves. I would miss the chatter of birds and the trees talking amongst themselves. In fact, I could almost miss the gift of the day were Famous not with me to run out and celebrate it.

God gives us the gift of the world, but He also gives to us his undivided attention. Even more than my fascination with Famous, God delights in seeing us, his creations, move though the day, exercising our freewill and helping one another.

I know You are watching today and preparing much for my pleasure. I give You thanks!

RELAXED ACCOMPANIMENT

Tick-tock, tick-tock, rustling leaves in the wind

Tick-tock, tick-tock, breath of dog tries to blend

A chime, a chirp, a faintly heard slurp

A snore, a song, night’s comin’ along

A drip, a yawn, house sings its own song.

Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock.

Rich and Famous

“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4  ESV

Springtime gives us the opportunity to be back outside enjoying more activity in the warmth and the light that have returned. This year, however, the heat came rushing back with April temperatures hitting  the middle and upper 80’s. So Famous and I have started increasing our time walking together, only now we have to start early in the morning. This morning we were able to finish a three-mile hike through the neighborhood before the sun burned off the morning fog.

Understand this is  about three times longer than an average walk in the wintertime, so it takes conditioning before we will be able to do it easily. Famous is enthusiastic for the first mile and a half. Then he realizes he is becoming hot and tired with no sign of home to be seen. I have to let him set the pace. He begins to resemble the dog of nine years more than the dog of two or three. But once he is home, he enjoys all of the rest he needs.

And you might begin to think of him only as a senior dog destined to measure every step he will take in the future; that is, until he sees me carrying the hotdogs out to the grill for our supper. Suddenly, slow-poke Famous in bursting with energy, doing his “happy dance” and forgetting any fatigue or pain that may have plagued him moments before.

All of us face a future death in sin if not for the redeeming love of Christ. He saves and revives us, and He breathes new life into us.

Restore my spirit, O Lord, that my life may be a joyful walk in Your Presence.