Lessons from my dog

We have a crazy sweet goofy little dog named Buddy.  He is an 8 year old 20 lb Bischon/Shih tzu mix.

We can't let him outside unless he is on a leash because he will run away, turn back and look right at us and disobey.  He always comes back, but it is on his own terms--.  Then he comes to the door scratching and pleading to be let back in.  And of course we do.

If he is out on his leash, he often gets himself all twisted around the bushes in our front yard.  If it is cold and rainy outside this is annoying because he will sit and yap like he's annoyed until we untangle him and let him in the house.  He cannot think in the reverse enough to untangle himself.  He just sits out there yelping and waiting for us to come untangle him.

Then he comes inside all cheerful and wagging his tail.  He looks up at us like "hi, did you miss me?" like nothing has even happened.

One thing I do have to say, is he is a cheerful little animal.

Many times when he does this little leash twisting thing, I just get mad at him. I think "why do you always do this to yourself?"  "Dumb animal"...and other such not-nice things to say.  I am annoyed. Not my best moment.

Today, Peter and I were trying to have a conversation at the crack of dawn, and Buddy got himself stuck.  It was cold and wet and rainy outside.  It was 5 a.m.  Peter was not happy about going out to rescue him one more time.

But, when he came in, he sat at our feet, wagging his fluffy little tail and acting like we should be so happy to see his wet stinkiness.  He was rubbing his head on my bare foot.  I was not so happy.

As we were praying, Peter added thankfulness for our little dog...and his cheerful heart.  We noticed a few lessons from our dog this morning.  And things about our responses to our dog...Things that God often does for us, or does not do to us...

*  Eventhough we get ourselves into a twisted up mess,  God comes to rescue us and untangle us.
*  I wonder how often my prayers sound like "yelping" to God.  But, he still welcomes them.
*  Sometimes we too run from God.  Looking right at him and choosing to do things our own way.  But, He is there waiting for us to return.  He will always welcome us with open arms. God is never annoyed with our requests.  Even if we beg.
*  "A cheerful heart is good medicine..." (Proverbs 17:22 )
*  I need to look up to God fully content, in this moment, with thanksgiving.
*  Then the final lesson from my dog....rest....(he's really good at this one)....Just know my needs are going to be taken care of, and rest assured the next meal, the next need will come---He will supply all I need.  So I do not need to worry.

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?   Mt. 6:26