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Obedience is UNDERrated!

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Obedience training has begun.  My husband is working with our little pup, teaching him four basic commands –  sit, stay, come and no.  These are the commands, that when fully trained, Denver should respond to immediately – and always. I look forward to his increased obedience as he matures.  He will not only be pleasant to live with, but he will be much safer.  I will be able to count on stopping him before he goes out in the road, or swallows a toy, or eats a shoe.  I can know he will come in when called, so he won’t get lost.  Basic obedience will also allow him to fulfill the “work” he is bred to do- upland hunting. When he finds pheasant in the field in a few months, he will likely experience the joy of doing the job for which he was created.   I see very clearly with Denver how obedience is taught, learned and practiced over and over again.

I smile as I watch my grandchildren learn obedience.  It’s a beautiful thing.  As an adult, it’s easy to look at children’s stubbornness and disobedience and think, “Come on…just surrender and do what’s right.  It will be so much easier; so much better than fighting the ‘war’ you are engaging.”

I can only imagine how often God has felt that about me! Yet, I take comfort in knowing that Jesus understands that obedience is often hard. He, though perfect, had to learn obedience. He learned through many trials. Hebrews 5:8

Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered

When children learn obedience (through what they suffer), they (and others around them) are always so much happier afterward.  I love my grandchildren!  They are so much fun, and they are great kids.   I had to laugh as I heard the antics of my youngest grandson, Micah, a few days ago.   Micah has such a sweet, tender conscience and can carry on conversation way beyond his (almost) two years of age.  However, as he nears the age of two, this struggle for obedience can be humorous to watch.

Earlier this week he said “no” to his dad.  That, of course, was not acceptable.  His daddy then told him he was not to tell daddy “no” (and if he did he would be punished).  He then looked away from his dad, into his mommy’s eyes and calmly said, “No, Mommy!” He just wanted to  “clarify” (or test) what it meant to be obedient.  Sometimes, obedience is outward, without being inward.  After being told by mom that he could not watch the movie “Polar Express” again, since he had already watched it that day, he walked away mumbling under his breath, “I will watch ‘Pola Press’; I can watch ‘Pola Press’!”   Obedience is often quite hard.  That’s why it’s called obedience.  If it wasn’t difficult, it could just be called “doing what we want to do”.  We can, like Micah, do the right thing, but it can take a while for our attitudes to catch up to our actions. It’s a good start!

This principle was further illustrated by a conversation I had with a dear friend last week.  She had struggled for a while with feeling surrendered to God after experiencing several difficult situations.  She simply could not find much joy in her walk with God.  However she kept walking.

Several months ago, she was able to regain her joy in her relationships, beginning with her relationship with God.  The change in her attitude is quite evident in her conversations, her expression and her entire demeanor.  She is able to think and process without the angst that was previously there.  I asked her what had brought her to this newfound peace.

Her answer was simply, “You know, obedience is under-rated.”  She went on to explain that in her struggle, she had maintained her love and respect (fear of God) and had decided that she would be obedient to God and His word despite how she felt.  It was not always “smooth”, but she kept on doing the things that were right.  In time, God blessed that obedience and she found her “heart” again.

The scriptures state this in Philippians 2:12-13

    Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed–not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence–continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

If we keep on obeying, out of awe for God, He will give us the will (the want to, the heart) to carry out His purposes for which we were created.  When we don’t “feel” like doing it –keeping on obeying God will take us through the “muck and mire” that can get into our hearts and get us to the other side.  There, as with Denver, and my grandchildren, we will be safe, happy, and able to fulfill the purposes for which we were created.  Never under-rate simple obedience.

Is God Under ‘They-a’?

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My granddaughter, Lexi, (two and a half years old) was ‘reading’ with her mom yesterday morning.  As in any household with three children, quiet moments are few and far between.  The two older children had gone off to school, and Lexi sat with her mommy as her mommy read the Bible.  As Lexi went off to play, Melissa (mommy) put a blanket over her head to drown out the noise and distraction surrounding her.  This is how she, at times, creates her own personal “prayer closet”.

As could be expected, Lexi came over to her mommy and lifted up the blanket to ask why she had the blanket over her head.  Melissa explained to her that she was praying and was just trying to keep the surrounding sounds muffled so that she could concentrate.

“Oh,” Lexi answered, and went back to her play.

She soon came back to Melissa, lifted up the blanket again and in her New England accent asked, “Is God under they-a?”  (This is the New England way to say “there.”)

I am so grateful that the answer to that question is a resounding “yes”.  God is under they-a, and he is also over ‘he-a’ (“here” to the non-locals) with me!  He will be found by everyone who seeks him wholeheartedly.  I thrill to the knowledge that he encompasses a dimension that is far beyond 3-D.  The dimension he covers is one that works its way into the depths of our inner being – our heart and soul.  I am encouraged to know that
“the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”   (2 Chron. 16:9)

God is not only here with me, but he came looking for me, and is looking to strengthen all those whose hearts are fully his.

I’m also grateful for His presence in my life…as I go to my appointments and meetings, shop for groceries, travel, and  lay my head down at night.  He goes with me.

Psalm 73:23-26
Yet I am always with you;
        you hold me by my right hand.
    [24] You guide me with your counsel,
        and afterward you will take me into glory.
    [25] Whom have I in heaven but you?
        And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
    [26] My flesh and my heart may fail,
        but God is the strength of my heart
        and my portion forever.

The picture above may look like a simple lump under a blanket. However, when prayer (actually talking to the God of the universe, our creator – wow!) happens under there or anywhere else, there is a spiritual energy and reality at work that can’t be seen by the naked eye (even with 3-D glasses)..  My mind can not fathom the workings of God that can be moved by prayer and time in the Word, but I see the results day after day.

Isaiah 55:8-12
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
        neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
     “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
        so are my ways higher than your ways
        and my thoughts than your thoughts.
     As the rain and the snow
        come down from heaven,
    and do not return to it
        without watering the earth
    and making it bud and flourish,
        so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
     so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
        It will not return to me empty,
    but will accomplish what I desire
        and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
    You will go out in joy
        and be led forth in peace;
    the mountains and hills
        will burst into song before you,
    and all the trees of the field
        will clap their hands.

I Can’t Hear You!

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I rattled the dish, ever so quietly – and Denver came running over, thinking it was time to be fed.  This little puppy devours his food in a matter of seconds, with what seems like one gulp.  The slightest crumpling of a bag or rattling of a dish sends him into a whirlwind.  He responds immediately, almost running over himself to get to the food.

At other times, I can call loudly for him to come to me.  I can also look at him and tell him “no”,… don’t eat my boot, (you see him listening so well in the picture as he is chomping on my boot).. or the computer wire, or the chair, or my ear….and he suddenly becomes deaf.  Granted, he is only nine weeks old and still untrained, but I am quite sure his hearing is fine.  It’s not that he can’t hear me, or connect that the word “no” has repercussions associated with it.  At this point, in his immature state, it seems he hears only what he wants to hear.  We are teaching him basic commands as quickly as possible, for his own safety (and our sanity).   I  thought about how easy it is for us as humans to hear “conveniently”, as Denver does.

Think of things you are eager to hear.  You may await a certain phone call, or thrill at the sound of a child or grandchild as they utter their first words.  I thought about times I have been quite eager to hear good news of someone’s safe arrival, or to hear the voice of a loved one.

I ask myself how eager I am to hear the words of my God.  Do I strain in eager anticipation in order to hear them, or do I merely listen “at my convenience”?  The answer can be found in my daily habits.  Do I eagerly open pages of my Bible, (or open Bible applications on my computer)?  Do I really want to hear what he has to say to me?  Or, will I glance through the Bible at my leisure- at my convenience.

What keeps us from eagerly listening for and hearing the words of God? What causes us to stumble over them – and not take them to heart.  There can be various reasons, but perhaps the most common is what I observe with my puppy.  He is so busy doing what he wants to do, he doesn’t care to listen.

1 Peter 2:8b

 They stumble because they disobey the message—

It’s easy to be careless with listening…and it’s easy to stumble with the scriptures – when we don’t want to do what they say.  That’s like Denver, when he doesn’t want to obey.  Yet sometimes, unfortunately, it can be like me. I am always sobered by the scripture in Hebrews 2:1-3

    We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. [2] For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, [3] how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

Listen carefully…..what do you hear?

Excuse Me, There’s a Turkey at Your Door!

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On the way home from lunch today I noticed a visitor at my neighbor’s front door.   He was patiently waiting, looking as though he had just rung the doorbell while waiting to be invited in.  The strange thing about this scene was that the visitor was a turkey.  Yes, a large, ugly turkey!  My neighbor had no idea that a turkey was on the other side of her front door, as turkeys don’t come calling every day.  I laughed as I envisioned her surprise upon opening the door.  Who would have thought a turkey would be lurking outside the front door?

Fact is, I can be unaware of what is outside my door at any given moment.  For all I know, a turkey could be at my door.  We usually don’t know what waits on the other side of our door.  The scriptures speak of several things waiting behind our doors.  Three stood out to me.

Door number one:

Genesis 4:7

    If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.”

Sometimes, temptation that can lead to sin is waiting for us, ready to devour us.  It’s like finding a skunk, hyena or even a lion, crouching behind your door.  Don’t let it in and try to make it your pet.  It will stink, or worse yet destroy you.  1 Peter 5:8-9

    Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. [9] Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

I pray to be self-controlled and alert, so I don’t open the door to that which can spiritually harm me.

Door number two:

Truth be told, opportunities may be waiting for you outside of your door.

Matthew 7:7-8

  “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

When we inquire of God, and seek a relationship with Him, He eagerly awaits us.  If we fail to seek Him, or inquire of Him, we will miss out on untold blessings and privileges….which last through eternity.

1 Cor. 16:7-9

    I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. [8] But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, [9] because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.

Effective opportunities for sharing the amazing promises of Jesus, which can change the course of eternity in people’s lives, may also be waiting outside of our door.  Again, I must be alert and prayerful to see these.

And behind door number three:

Rev. 4:1

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”…..v. 8

Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

 “Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord God Almighty,

who was, and is, and is to come.”….v. 11

    “You are worthy, our Lord and God,

        to receive glory and honor and power,

    for you created all things,

        and by your will they were created

        and have their being.”

Sometimes I can miss the big picture, the spiritual reality, which is right in front of me.  This can happen most often when I become distracted with the details and busyness of things that won’t matter or exist a hundred years from now.  I pray that each day my eyes and heart are awakened to the “heavenly, spiritual realm” that is true reality, and the only thing that really matters.

What do you see behind your front door?

 

 

The Annoyed Older Brother

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Our older dog hates Denver.  Ok, I’ll put it out there and call him by name – “Blackie.”  Let me begin with a disclaimer.  I love him, but I don’t like his name.  His name was left to the discretion of our youngest son, who being from another country, had a limited English vocabulary at the time he was given this dog for Christmas ten years ago.  He wanted to name him Blackie.  I tried to persuade him otherwise, but he was determined.  Our African-American friends sometime give us a hard time (all in fun) about his name.  I am, however, unsure if this name might be offensive to people I don’t know.  When I call him to come in from the park across the street he answers to the “public” name I gave him – “Jackie.”  It works.  If he stubbornly procrastinates the trot home I add a surname – “You come here, Jackie Chan!”  So, now I have finished the disclaimer and can tell you in truth, that Blackie despises Denver. 

Blackie navigates a routine throughout his day to day activities.  He has a path he travels each morning, a place for his naps and occasionally throws a ball in the air.  He goes out at night and comes back to beg for his treat.   He is obedient (most of the time) and is very easy to care for.  He is independent, and to me caring for him is sort of like operating on “autopilot”.  Life has been good for Blackie, even though he went through several weeks of adjustment after Jordan died.

And then – we interrupted his life with a “little brother.”   Blackie quickly set the pecking order with the new pup; Denver takes a fully submissive posture (on his back) when Alpha dog, Blackie, cruises by.  As Blackie approaches Denver,  it’s as if he moves in slow motion, with a look of utter disgust…almost as if he wishes to throw up.  Wow.

I guess he sees him as a nuisance, distraction to his routine, competition and just overall unnecessary and annoying.  Hopefully, time will fill the “older brother” with some affection for the adorable little guy.  Meanwhile, I try to be patient while trying to persuade Blackie to let Denver into his heart and life.

While it may seem really selfish and arrogant for Blackie to act this way, I realize how easy it is for me to “growl” and feel annoyed when my “routine” is interrupted by something or someone.  I was once again challenged by my reading about Jesus.  Jesus had tragically lost his friend and relative, John, who had been brutally killed.   He was certainly heartbroken.  Following this event, we read this account:  Mark 6:30-34

    The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. [31] Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

    [32] So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. [33] But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. [34] When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

I pray to be more like Jesus each day.  To keep on giving when I want to “stride by and growl” because my routine and comfort get interrupted;  to let others in when I feel my plate is full; and to be full of compassion when I’m tired or sad – and yet someone is in need.

And hopefully,… Blackie will grow fond of his little brother soon.

 

 

 

Leaving a Mark

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As I prepare to write, I stand amazed at how quickly and thoroughly our new puppy has impact wherever he goes.  In about ten seconds time he has chewed a box, tried to pull out the computer wire, chomped on the trashcan, brought out a towel, carried papers away and various other “accomplishments”.  I am confident he is leaving a mark every place he visits, albeit not always a positive one. (It’s a good thing he’s so cute)

While still a baby, and not yet trained, this tiny little furball can alter numerous situations around him quite quickly and decisively.  It is dumbfounding to me.  (I’m also becoming a strong advocate for crate training)

I pray, as I go about my day today, that I can “leave a mark” (a good one), on people and situations with whom I come in contact.  I am confident that this can’t happen without prayer, thought, focus and initiative.  Hebrews 10:23-24

    Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. [24] And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (emphasis added)

If I am not alert to the presence of God in my life I can just go through the day, leaving little or no mark.  I can sometimes be like a phrase I once heard, “Sometimes I sit and think, and sometimes I just sit.”

One of my friends, when I was a young Christian, used to greet me excitedly saying, “Did you have a Jesus day?  Did you have some Jesus conversations?”  This would always get me thinking, because when I consider the life of Jesus, and read again and again the accounts of that life I am utterly amazed at Him, and called so much higher.  Everywhere Jesus went…every person he spoke to, every situation he was in …he made a difference.  He left a mark.  The sick were healed and “casual conversations” led to decisions that altered eternity for men and women.  When Jesus spoke with individuals they felt heard and understood- loved, and often very challenged.  He spoke with authority.  He also cried with compassion.  He was dependent on his relationship with the Father.  He spoke the truth that resonated with hurting, troubled and complacent hearts.  He made huge “dinner parties” from mere leftovers, kept to what was truly important over the urgent and showed us what love really means.  He did this in an unparalleled way -by giving his own life for those who disregarded him and spat in his face, including me.  Yes, I am amazed.  I pray I can leave some mark today that reflects Jesus in me and points someone to him in a life-changing way.

Matthew 5:16

    In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

1 John 2:6

    Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

Yes, our new puppy leaves a mark everywhere he goes.  Like him, I pray to leave more of a mark where I go… and challenging as it is, I pray it will be more like Jesus than Denver….having  a “Jesus day”, that brings Him to situations and conversations I encounter, one person at a time

Col. 3:17

    And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Hebrews 13:20-21

    May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, [21] equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Up Close and Personal

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I’m finally holding our fluffy furball…and I’m “in love”.  We now have our new puppy “in person”.  We’ve anticipated this new adventure for a while.  The little guy is now no longer an idea or a plan.  Though I had received internet pictures and a bit of information about him ( as well as a photo my husband texted me),  I’m no longer just connected via cyberspace.  I’m grateful for that.  Technology always falls short when relationships are involved, as there is no substitute for being together.   I needed to see the twinkle in his eyes, smell his puppy breath, feel his nibbling on my nose, and participate in the sacrifice of taking him out at 3am…to really feel connected.  Suffice it to say, I’m connected.

How much more important it is to have our “human connections” up close and personal.  There truly is no substitute for “being there”.  While I am grateful for the many tools that make some kind of connection to people possible,  I have come to realize that they can never substitute for a personal touch, a hug, looking someone in the eyes, hearing their words or sighs and seeing their expressions.  There is no substitute for holding hands in prayer around a dinner table, expressing our thoughts to a listening ear, being a listening ear to hear someone else’s concerns, reading and studying the Bible together, praying together, sharing appreciation, and talking across a table to resolve any unresolved issues.  These take up close and personal interaction.  While an e-mail can be quickly sent, it is often difficult to know the heart that is behind it.  Texts r snt almost w/o thot. (sic)

God knew we needed “up close and personal”.  Otherwise, we just have “religion” and fail to understand what He is all about.  What an amazing, unthinkable expression of love God has given us  in Jesus, who left heaven and came to live and be with us.

John 1:14

    The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

1 John 4:9

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

These scriptures truly amaze me.  I so desperately need this kind of love, so I can better understand God and His will for my life.  Because he came here “up close and personal”, I can see what he did, what he said, how he prayed, how he lived, and how he died.

1 Peter 2:21

    To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

And though His physical presence in this world was for a mere 33 years, it has impacted me forever.  Now, it is still very real. I can feel and know His presence in my life.

While I hope the little personal stories  I share can help the scriptures come alive, the personal stories are just that…personal stories.  The scriptures here are really quite profound.  As I read this next scripture, I was reminded again of the intense privilege and responsibility that goes into a relationship with God, and so deeply appreciative for God’s “up close and personal” love.

John 14:15-21

    “If you love me, you will obey what I command. [16] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever– [17] the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. [18] I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. [19] Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. [20] On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. [21] Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

Yes, I’m connected to Denver, and I already love him.  However, there is nothing comparable to having God’s presence, “up close and personal” in my life.

Denver’s Coming!

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Tomorrow is a big day.  Yes, Denver is coming to town for a big playoff football game against the New England Patriots. I’ll have my jersey on, but that’s not what I’m talking about.  (In fact, it will be cold tomorrow…  I must layer…I plan to wear my Patriots garb over an orange and blue championship shirt from when Florida won the NCAA championship guided by Tim Tebow’s arm.  I hope that’s okay!)

But more importantly, my husband is flying through Denver, Colorado, to pick up our new puppy, Denver.  Look at that face!  He just makes you want to hug him, doesn’t he? After getting over my episode of sheer terror at the thought of raising a new puppy again, I’m really quite excited.  I sort of feel like a kid on Christmas Eve. I can’t wait to meet the little guy.  I am sure he has no idea what is about to happen to him.  He will leave his familiar place….his mom and his siblings.  (Now I feel like I want to cry.)  He will be transferred to the hands of a man he hasn’t met and go on a long airplane ride in a soft crate under my husband’s seat.  It may be a bit traumatic.  It’s sort of like a “new birth”.  He will likely wonder what new world he is entering into -and he must entrust himself to his new owner.

However, what he doesn’t know is what is waiting for him on the “other side”.  I’ve been “preparing a place for him”.  He’s got a “Cadillac crate”, new toys, a new collar, puppy treats, some big brothers, a family of adults and children who can’t wait to shower their love on him, and a promise of care, training, and lots and lots of love.  It’s going to be a good life.  We can’t wait for him to get here.

I thought of this “transition to a new place” when my grandchildren were born.  There they were, in a safe, warm and snuggly womb.  However, little did they know that on the “other side” were parents and grandparents, and aunts and uncles who already loved them.  And there were hugs, kisses, and even (as I had with three of my grandchildren tonight) pizza, brownies and ice cream awaiting their futures as well.  That’s got to be way tastier than anything the umbilical cord offers.

I can’t help but wonder if this is something of what God feels as He awaits His children’s arrival – from their “new birth” all the way until heaven.  He must shake his head at how attached we can get to the world, scared to let go, and sometimes have fear of trusting Him…when we have no idea that “amazing awaits” – on the other side.

1 Cor. 2:9
[9] However, as it is written:

    “No eye has seen,
        no ear has heard,
    no mind has conceived
        what God has prepared for those who love him”–

John 14:1-7
  “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. [2] In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. [4] You know the way to the place where I am going.”
    [5] Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
    [6] Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. [7] If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Oh my! What did I get myself into?!

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Have you ever been faced with a decision you made….and later thought – “What in the world was I thinking?!”  Last night, as I gathered a travel crate, blanket and  puppy collar for packing, I felt a bit of fear and trepidation.  In fact, I felt more than a “bit”.  You see, “dog life” has gotten quite easy over here.  Our little ten year old cockerpoo goes out once in the morning and then again at night.  We don’t even have to walk outside with him if the weather is bad. Meanwhile, he just wanders from the sofa to his little bed, circling each place a few times until he settles on the best spot for a nap.

Wyndham leaves for a meeting this afternoon and plans to come back in a couple of days with a little something in that travel crate I mentioned – an eight week old puppy full of life and energy.  I have found myself wondering what in the world  I agreed to- and what insanity entered my mind to do this again?!  My “easy dog life” is about to be over.  I must confess I felt a slight sense of panic.

In my future I am seeing several weeks of puddles and worse, perhaps a chewed chair leg or two along with some mangled toys that were intended for the grandchildren’s play.  I’m sure there will be lots of hair for daily vacuuming, vet bills.. and if we are fortunate to have many years with him…another heartbreak twelve to fourteen years from now.

So, why in the world would I do this?  Because the sheer joy he will bestow on me when I come in the door after being gone; the eagerness he will have to please us; his ability to love unconditionally; his longing eyes and cute antics; his energy and zeal; his head that will rest on my knee, and most of all his devotion as a loyal friend will make it all worth it. It’s really about the relationship between a “man and his dog” and a “woman and her dog”.

So, having made a deposit earlier, I just wrote a check for the remainder of the payment.  I sighed a bit, but then smiled.  To us, he is more than worth the cost.  We weighed it, and considered it long and hard.  I’m sort of glad we had to put a deposit down.  It helped me keep my resolve. When something doesn’t cost me anything, I am more apt to back out. I  made a wholehearted decision.  If I had kept wavering in indecision I would be miserable, and I would fail to enjoy this soon-to-be reality of a new puppy.  I can already “feel” his cuteness.

On a far weightier matter, I made a decision many years ago, when I was a teenager, to become a Christian – a follower of Jesus.  Since I came out of the waters of baptism there have been many exhilarating times, numerous challenges, victories and defeats.  I wouldn’t trade this life for anything.  I made a big decision to turn my life over to Jesus’ care and direction…yet he made the far bigger deposit – his life.  That deposit, and the one he gave me of his spirit living in me, have helped me keep my resolve to follow Jesus. –  with no turning back!

Luke 9:23-25
Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. [24] For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. [25] What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?

Luke 9:62
Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

A decision to turn back would not only cost my salvation – but would also affect others who see my life.  Most of all….I would miss out on the most amazing benefit; a relationship with God that gives me forgiveness, friendship, family, purpose, identity, acceptance, fullness of life and so much more.  This relationship has such an amazing effect on all of my other relationships. I love this relationship that “I got myself into!”  Oh my!

Clarence’s Shoebox

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Today, during our staff meeting, we had an opportunity to share our appreciation for a dear sister, Laura Webster.  It was Laura’s birthday….and a big one.  An elder’s wife, she is a beautiful woman, inside and out.  As her strong and burly husband, Clarence, shared about her with tears he recounted a story about a shoe box.

As a young man, Clarence assumed he would try to make his life work by entering the military.  His mother became disabled, and called him into her room one day.  Under her bed was an old shoe box, which she pulled out to show her son.  Upon opening the box, and seeing a sea of green, he was dumbfounded to discover that the box was full of hundred dollar bills.  His mom had saved this money throughout her life, and presented it to Clarence.  She implored him to use this to go to school.  He did just that.

It was at university that Clarence met his wife, who impacted him greatly, especially when she became a Christian after they were married.  This led to his own decision to become a Christian.  Clarence recently buried his mother, and even more recently his brother, both of whom had followed suit as they learned the Scriptures.  His sons and daughters- in- law are wonderful Christian men and women as well, and his grandchildren are being raised by faithful, confident parents.  So many lives in many places have been touched by this couple.  For Clarence, it began with the shoe box.

We may never know how an opportunity we afford someone can impact them and countless individuals for generations to come.  Clarence’s mom did not have much money, but decided she would scrimp and save to give her son a chance to succeed.  Similarly, I’m reminded of a woman in the Bible whom Jesus said would be told about everywhere the Gospel was preached.

Mark 14:3-9

    While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

    [4] Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? [5] It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

    [6] “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. [7] The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. [8] She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. [9] I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Her sacrificial giving “what she could”, (though it was not a lot by human standards) had a tremendous impact on Jesus and on those who heard of her actions.  Even today, years later, this woman inspires me to give what I can.  And Clarence’s shoebox reminds me that what you and I may be able to give can have a ripple effect of good that may make an eternal  difference in many lives – in ways that we may never  even see.

Eccles. 11:6

    Sow your seed in the morning,

        and at evening let not your hands be idle,

    for you do not know which will succeed,

        whether this or that,

        or whether both will do equally well.