The last time we had a puppy, was ten years ago. The kids were also small at that time, we had just moved 90 miles, started new jobs, new school...but by the grace of God did I make it through that season. I feel like I am a little more tolerant, albeit tired, of puppiness this time around. Poop, is just that, poop. I have learned to clean up bigger messes in my life. Three-thirty a.m. bathroom breaks? I was honestly, wide-awake anyhow. You want to battle my maxi-skirt? I can totally tie it in a knot above my knees until I am ready to head out the door. "Get a puppy," they said, "it will be fun," they said.
Perspective.
I told a co-worker (so relieved to be able to say that again!) last week: I think children of God are kind of like puppies. We are learning and growing everyday. Sometimes we make it to our destination, and sometimes we poop under our favorite chair (figuratively speaking of course...). Some days we take in all the nourishment we are fed and offered, other days, we leave a little bit scattered in the corner of the kitchen. Some mornings we want to sleep at 3:00 in the morning, and others, we sit on the front steps in the dark, cool air and talk to God while a little fur ball does her business. Puppies can scratch, bite, and shout at you in their little "wookie" bark, and the next moment, they are climbing into your lap to give you cold-nose kisses and burrow into the crook of your arm. We humans tend to get a little huffy and lash out, realize what we have done, and humbly nuzzle back into the arms of our Master, who can't help but smile, pat us on the head, and fully embrace us.
Obedience.
Every moment is a deliberate, repetitive lesson with a puppy: "no", "outside", "come-on", "don't eat that", "sit", "treat", "ahhhhhhhhh". You all...God, the Father is working in us, daily, and I know with me, it is the same phrases, over and over: "pray", "be still", "peace", "forgiveness", "you think you can do better? Okay, I will be right over here when you are ready."
When I was matching up scripture to the message I wanted to share today, the funniest one came up:
Psalm 22:20 Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog!
Matthew Henry's commentary says: That he (God) would deliver and save him. Observe what the jewel is which he is in care for...save him from the terror...save him from corruption.
I am totally chuckling...this little jewel of a puppy in my care...who often we call a "little terror". But not chuckling...Psalm 22 is speaking of the future death and resurrection of Jesus.
From the book of Matthew, Chapter 6: Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts (trespasses), as we also have forgiven our debtors (those that trespass against us). And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
As the rescuer and master of this puppy, I am tasked with providing for her: nourishment, the right way to behave, grace and forgiveness when she simply doesn't, realizing that after two weeks of no accidents, one is bound to happen. Our family has agreed to meet her needs of food, bedding, shelter, love, and the occasional special treat.
The difference is God promises all those things to us, the Lord's Prayer is a gift of instruction. He is not capable of faltering...He rescues us and meets our needs (not to be confused with our wants) and the needs of all of God's creatures...in us, through us, and right exactly where we are...three o-clock in the morning, under the tall mulberry tree, is a beautiful place to be.
Rescued. Perspective. Obedience. Get quiet today and discern these three words working in your life. Thank you Father for saving me, for giving me your Word as a map, and for speaking to my heart so that I may do my human best to walk in your ways. Amen.
from Housemix.com
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