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Respite For the Weary
We have a big 7-year old black lab named Sarge and little 2-
year old white cairn terrier named Juliet. These two creatures, great and small, are my constant shadows. If I'm in the kitchen, they're in the kitchen. If I walk out on the deck, they walk out on the deck. If I'm sitting in my comfy chair, Sarge is on the floor at my feet, and Juliet is snuggled right by my side.
There are so many God-lessons I can learn from my dogs, and this faithful behavior is certainly one of them! I have to ask myself:
Do I crave God's presence the way my pets crave mine? As for me, the nearness of God is my good. (Ps 73:28)
Do I follow in the Lord's footsteps wherever He goes, and stop where He stops? Where you will go, I will go; where you stay I will stay... (Ruth 1:16)
Am I content and secure with His companionship and guidance? Abide in Me, and I in you. (John 15:4)
It's a strange kind of prayer to say out loud, "Lord, please help me to be more like my dogs." But really, I do desire their kind of loyalty, their kind of dependency, and their kind of devotion that they naturally possess for their master. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. (Ps 23:1)
All things have been created by Him and for Him (Col. 1:16). So, "I thank You Lord, for allowing Your creation, my dogs, to speak a fundamental truth to my heart. Please do, make me more like them when it comes to clinging to You, my Master, my Savior, and my Friend." Amen.
But he knows the way that I take; when has has tried me, I shall come out as gold. Job 23:10
Dear Lord,
When we are in the midst of a trial, please remind us of your loving presence. Surround us with your mercy and grace. Groom us and grow us so that when the hardship is past, we are stronger in our relationship with you. In Jesus' Name, Amen.