GOD'S LOVE THROUGH A DOG'S EYES

The Lord is good,
A strength and stronghold in the day of trouble;
He knows [He recognizes, cares for, and understands fully] those who take refuge and trust in Him

Nahum 1:7 AMP

I am a firm believer that God will speak to us in many creative ways. He uses the Bible, lyrics to songs we hear on the radio, other people, just to name a few.  This week I felt the gentleness of his spirit speak to my heart through my sick, stinky, fur monster, Boo Boo.

I have never been able to have children of my own, so I have Fur Babies. I think I love my dogs as much as some parents love their own flesh and blood. Conan, our Chocolate Lab, and Boo Boo our Newfoundland, bring extra love, joy and slobber to our home, and I can't imagine life without them.

Dogs, one of life's greatest teachers, LOVE on 4 legs
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Boo Boo in particular is very clingy to me, in truth her name should have been Shadow. She follows me from room to room. As soon as she lays down on the cool tile floor in the breakfast nook while I am making my coffee, she has to get up and follow me to the bedroom at the other end of the house while I decide what to wear for the day. She flops into a huge pile of black fur in the middle of the bedroom floor (looking like a breathing bearskin rug). Next I am on my way to the bathroom to dry my hair. Of course she must follow me there as well, because she enjoys the hot air of the hair dryer on her back, as I tell her what a  'pretty' girl she is.

I recently took Boo to the vet because a skin issue had flared up. We left with a hefty dose of antibiotics for my fluff nugget. As the days passed, her appetite dwindled (very rare for a Newfoundland, who eats as much as she breathes). No longer did I have company from room to room, only when I sat down would she cuddle with me on the sofa, taking comfort in my love for her. She was so pitiful, and my heart hurt to see her not well.

When I read Nahum 1:7 in light of my relationship with Boo Boo, I have a small glimpse into the love of our Father has for us.  Boo seeks me out for comfort, and refuge. She trusts me to care for, and soothe her hurts. I recognize this is what she is doing. Because I love her dearly and understand that she was not well, I give her what she needs and asks for.

How many times have I run to God, seeking refuge at His side, comfort in His arms, too many to count. When my feelings are hurt by the insensitivity of another, I am overwhelmed at all I have to do, or I am just lost feeling, He is there. His spirit covers me with peace like a fresh blanket of snow

God is good. Turn to Him for strength, for refuge from the pain and storms of life, He will be your stronghold. He loves you, He understands you.

Do you have a favorite pet story that God has used to speak to your heart?  How has God shown His love to you this week?

FAITH ~ BELIEVING WITHOUT SEEING

 

He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.” - Genesis 22:5 NIV

 

Don't you just love it when a passage you have read hundreds of times, suddenly has fresh new meaning, like you are hearing it for the very first time. The story of Abraham and Isaac is one of the early bible stories most of us learn as children. God tells Abraham to take his beloved son Isaac, and sacrifice him as an offering. When they arrive at the place Isaac is to be sacrificed, he says to his father "where is the lamb for the burnt offering?", "God will supply the offering." is Abraham's reply. And yes, according to Genesis 22, God does supply the offering, sparing Isaac's life.

It has always been in Abraham's reply to Isaac that I have seen his faith voiced.  However, today as I was reading this story, I see where Abraham proved his faith prior to this reply. He said to his servants that were traveling with them, "we are going to worship, then WE will come back to you". We, Abraham said WE will come back. He could have said, "I will return", or "see you soon", or "be ready to leave when you see me again", any number of things. But he said we.

I have been struggling with a certain aspect of my faith lately; trusting that God is going to provide for us financially. We are in a period of our life that we have more outgoing than we do incoming, and it seems everyday there is another unexpected expense. I know in my heart He will provide, but because I cannot see how, or when it will happen, I waiver in my belief.

I want to be like Abraham.  Not that I want God to ask me to sacrifice someone dear to my heart, I want there to be no question in my thoughts, words or actions that God has everything in control. 

From now on, It is God WILL provide, not if. I will speak it, as if it is so, because it is.

Are you like Abraham?  How has God provided for you when it didn't seem possible?

 

In Him

Sheri

(photo courtesy of Pixabay.com)

What will they think?

"Just make sure you stay alert. Keep close watch over yourselves. Don't forget anything of what you've seen. Don't let your heart wander off. Stay vigilant as long as you live. Teach what you've seen and heard to your children and grandchildren."                                                        Deuteronomy 4:9

I have had a desire, a need, to write for several years now. There is nagging thought that plagues me at the prospect of sharing personal and sometimes painful memories in my writing. I am concerned about who will read it. Funny, I have never worried about IF people will read it, but worried about the important WHO's in my life that may read it. That was until God spoke directly to my heart this morning.

This particular passage of scripture was written to the Israelites as they were in the wilderness, about to enter the promised land. But I believe it is written for us as well.

• "Don't forget anything of what you've seen." I have experienced many things in my life: hurt, rejection, pain, joy, happiness, and love. I need to remember all of these experiences, they helped shape me into the person I am today.

• "Stay vigilant as long as you live."  Don't ever give up on the life God has for you.  Thank Him for the journey.  He has been and will be with you.  You may still be in the wilderness, but the promised land is just in sight. 

• "Teach what you've seen and heard to your children and grandchildren." It is okay that my kids, grandchildren, parents and friends read about the things that they may not know about me. It is important most of all to let them see where God has brought me from, and the mighty ways He has shown Himself along the way.

What is holding you back from doing what's in your heart? What fears are you facing? I would love for you to share, so we can help each other overcome these fears on the way to fulfilling your dreams.

God Bless!

Wordless Sighs, Aching Groans

Funny thing about wind, the only evidence of its presence is the effect it has as it passes by. Fluttering leaves on motionless trees, hair whipping in all directions in and out of your eyes, or the musical tinkling of wind chimes filling the air, yet wind itself has no form that can be seen.

Just a few days ago we experienced the strength and force of this unseen entity. There were no tornadoes reported, just straight line wind gusts that brought destruction to trees, power lines, the houses they fell on, cable and phone services. We have had a busy, no exhausting, few days trying to navigate the insurance system and repair processes for a house we own that had a tree fall on the roof.

We and everyone that we know were blessed that the damage sustained was limited to possessions and there was no physical injury.  I give God all praise for his protection, provision, and favor. I have also had to just be still, with no words to say. There have even been a few times when all I have been able to do was bow my head and pray, "Ugh Lord, please help me".

In spite of the flurry of activity to get things repaired, we have been surrounded by a peace that has settled over us like a down comforter on a cold night. We have faith in the fact that God has all of this in his control. He will not leave us in this mess, but is with us and will carry us through.

I literally groaned when we woke up this morning to news about additional repairs the property may need.  Just a few, short hours later, I received this text from a good friend of ours.

Romans 8:26-28 MSG

What a blessing! When we don't know what or how to pray, it doesn't matter, the Holy Spirit keeps us before our Father (I imagine a child saying 'look Daddy, look!'). He makes a prayer of our sighs and groans. And even this will be worked out for our good.


Thank you Father for loving me, providing for me, protecting me, and understanding when I have no words, only empty sighs or anguished groans.

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What uncertainty are you facing in life? There may be days ahead where you have no idea what to do, no strength to do it, and no words to express what you need or how you feel. God knows, his spirit is with us and intercedes for us.

Let the wind blow and trust HIM.