So “Blue” is the name of my youngest dog as many of you know. Although I have three very sweet indoor dogs, Blue is the one with the eternal “puppy heart.” He is about 2 years old but thinks that he is a baby. His favorite spot of course is always with me, wherever I may be. There also isn’t a toy that he doesn’t play with endlessly. Blue is a Dachshund with a furry white neck, much like some sort of fancy scarf. He’s silvery blue & white all over. The other two are a Dachshund and a Shih-Tzu. Blue, however, has truly taken my heart with the way he embraces every moment of the day. A steady but short rain just passed over our home and Blue decided to stare out into the rain. He has no interest in napping like the others. Napping on a rainy morning? That might sound tempting to a lot of folks, but not this little guy. Blue and I both seemed to be inspired by the steady raindrops and entranced even by the leaves that seemed to be getting greener by the second. Blue seems to know that every minute in his day is precious.
The half-brother of our Lord Jesus, James, writes in the Holy Bible, in the Book of James, chapter 4, verses 13-15, about how to face our lives every day:
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town and spend a year there, doing business and making money.” 14 Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that.”
Could the secret to daily joy in our lives be as simple as following what our pets choose to do? Probably not entirely. However, looking to each day, each week, each month, and each year, as God’s time and ourselves as His children, seeking to do what the Lord wishes, is critical. Understand that even though you and I are “a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes,” we are alive in Christ, whether on earth or in Heaven! What is more, when we live under the umbrella of God’s plan now, we are filled with His joy and satisfaction in life!
Where is your heart today?
Are you satisfied with whatever lot in life you find yourself in?
God is with you wherever you are to give you strength and peace.
The big question is:
Are you living in the joy of the Lord?
Do you need to take a step into a new place or a familiar place where the Lord wants you? Maybe He’s been calling you for a while to do something in particular.
What is it?
Is delayed obedience worth the risks?
Joy comes with obedience to Him.
Maybe a little time gazing out into the rare but sweet Texas summer rain is what you need today. Or just watching the trees on your farm or in your backyard sway and soak up the sunshine.
Who knows what new wish the Lord has for your life?
He might just tell you if you pause long enough to enjoy His friendship.
In the Holy Love of Jesus Christ,
Sister Vanessa
Life at Caldwell Brethren Church 