ME, A DOG, AND AN AIR MATTRESS

Yup.

You read that right.

Lest you think that I'm writing a canine version of "The Princess and the Pea" – in which I share an air mattress with a dog and can't sleep because of an errant kernel of kibble underneath – let me explain.

My youngest son had to travel out of town for the last two weeks, and I volunteered to take care of my grandbeagle, Marty.

No one has to ask me twice to do that!

Sure, it saves money – but hey, it's MARTY!!!

I love my little furry guy.

Yes, I am biased, but he's pretty adorable.


Might I just regale you with some highlights of our time together?


1. Dog took middle-aged woman for walks three times a day.

2. Dog made middle-aged woman think about signing up for the Iditarod race.

(The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is an annual long-distance sled dog race run in early March from Settler's Bay to Nome [Alaska]…Mushers and a team of 21 dogs...cover the distance [over 1,000 miles] in 9–15 days or more).

3. The word "walk" is a misnomer – it should more accurately be called a tug, pull, roam, or wander.

4. Dog found the most awkward places and timing to do his "duty" – usually when people were walking by or retrieving the newspaper on their driveway.

5. Middle-aged woman snickered because dog sometimes chose to make his "deposit" in front of one of the two yacht clubs in the area.

6. Dog tried to eat a bouquet of roses.

7. Dog found random paper towels with delicious scents and dug them out of the trash.

8. Dog injured left arm – limped for two days ☹ – then recovered quickly ☺
– quickly enough to tug, pull, roam, and wander.

9. When dog saw someone approaching (anyone!), he came to a complete (and immovable) standstill – even if the person was a hundred feet away.

10. Middle-aged woman had to explain (often) that his stance was not a sign of his ferociousness, but only of his desire to jump up and lick and make new friends.

11. Dog is mistaken for being a puppy – which isn't too bad when you're 9½!!

12. Middle-aged woman was NOT mistaken for being a puppy…sigh.

13. Dog snored.

14. Middle-aged woman might have snored – dog didn't say.

15. Dog loved being chased around the room by middle-aged woman.  Woman panted, dog did not.

16. Dog loved string cheese *treats*.

17. Dog almost ate *string cheese fingers* of middle-aged woman as he bit ravenously into the string cheese.  (Note to self: do not hold string cheese in hand when feeding dog).

18. After countless hijinks, antics, and shenanigans, middle-aged woman is convinced that dog is not a dog, but a mischievous angel in disguise.


Yes, I do love dogs, and I especially love Marty.

My favorite thing of all is curling up next to him at bedtime.

Now mind you, on his *regular* nights, Marty sleeps in his own bed, all balled up, nice and cozy.

But when I am there, I like having him next to me.

Last year I tried sleeping next to him on some couch cushions, but that wasn't too comfortable.

Hence, the air mattress.

I figured that we could pretend that we were out in the wild, maybe Alaska, and *roughing it* together!

I rarely sleep as soundly as I do when Marty is curled up by me.

He usually starts the night at my feet, and then sometime around 4 AM, he wanders up closer.

If I've been sleeping especially deeply, I'll be surprised by a furry face right next to mine in the wee hours of the morning!  (The snoring is usually the first clue…!)

When my son returned home, he was most appreciative of my time taking care of Marty.

But perhaps he'll never know how much it means to me to spend time with my grandbeagle.

I have always maintained that when a human forms a bond with an animal, there is something primal about it, something *original* if you will – like an echo of Eden.


God intended people and animals to have a relationship.

And when we take care of them, we are fulfilling the original directive given in the Garden:

"Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'" (Genesis 1:26, NIV)


How should this charge be interpreted?

First of all, I'd like to correct what I think is a misinterpretation.

Having dominion over something has a negative connotation in most people's minds.

I don't know about you, but I usually think of it as meaning domination, subjugation, or exploitation – like a dictator has over his kingdom.

I don't think of kindness – I think of cruelty and injustice, apathy and insensitivity.

But having dominion over the animals should entail a humane management of them, just as God intended.

I think it's very important to remember that God created animals in His original plan of creation.  He saved them in the Flood.  And they are mentioned in the future, too.

"God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind.  And God saw that it was good." 
(Genesis 1:25, NLT)

"'Bring a pair of every kind of animal – a male and a female – into the boat with you to keep them alive during the flood.'" (Genesis 6:19, NLT)

"In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat.  The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all." (Isaiah 11:6, NLT)


I'm not going to get into a discussion of whether or not individual animals will be part of the new creation, or debate the question of whether our pets go to heaven – (I personally hope so!) – but I trust God to do what is far better than what I can think or imagine! 

I love this quote from Billy Graham:

"God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there."

Yup.

But I digress.

The point is that we should consider the fact that mankind was given the task, privilege, and blessing of representing God in this world. 

We are appointed to be His caretakers.

And as His image-bearers, we have been charged with the serious responsibility to act as God would.


I like the analogy of a garden and a gardener.

The gardener has, in a sense, dominion over his garden – but this position of power is not to be taken lightly.

What gardener would intentionally harm or destroy his garden?

Rather, he tends it carefully – feeding and watering it, protecting it from weeds and invading pests, sheltering it, and promoting growth.  In short, the gardener does everything in his power to help the garden thrive.

I think it's the same with animals, specifically – and the same with all of creation, in general.

God gives us the weighty task of caretaking, of taking care of HIS creation.

We must always remember that creation does not belong to us.

It is not ours to use or abuse.

It is not ours to waste or squander.

It is not ours to trample or trash.

It is not ours to conquer or crush.

"The heavens are yours, and the earth is yours; everything in the world is yours – you created it all." (Psalm 89:11, NLT)


OK, so you might not be an animal-lover, or a tree-hugger, or a swim-with-the-sharks kind of person.

But I'll just bet that you have had times when the beauty of creation has left you breathless and awed.

Why?

Because you felt God in that moment.

"For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made." (Romans 1:20, ESV)


So, once again I had the joyous task of taking care of one special little dog.

And once again, I was taught a lot about God in the process.

About responsibility and caretaking.

About kindness and compassion.

About appreciation and respect.

About being God's representative in a world that rarely reflects His character – and doing it well.


All this, while lying on an air mattress with a small beagle in the middle of the night!

Well done, Marty!!




What are your thoughts about taking care of God's creation?

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.


(Cecil Frances Alexander)


"You care for people and animals alike,
O LORD."

(Psalm 36:6)

"The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it…So the LORD God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky.  He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one.  He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals." (Genesis 2:15, 19-20, NLT)

"'With my great strength and powerful arm I made the earth and all its people and every animal.'" (Jeremiah 27:5, NLT)

"O LORD, what a variety of things you have made!  In wisdom you have made them all.  The earth is full of your creatures." (Psalm 104:24, NLT)

"'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.'" (Revelation 4:11, NIV)

"For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible…all things were created through him and for him." 
(Colossians 1:16, ESV)

"'You alone are the LORD.  You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars.  You made the earth and the seas and everything in them.  You preserve them all…'" (Nehemiah 9:6, NLT)

"'Just ask the animals, and they will teach you.  Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you.  Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you.  Let the fish in the sea speak to you.  For they all know…For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being.'" (Job 12:7-10, NLT)

"For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.  Against its will, all creation was subjected to God's curse.  But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay." 
(Romans 8:19-21, NLT)

"'In that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky and the creatures that move along the ground.  Bow and sword and battle I will abolish from the land, so that all may lie down in safety.'" (Hosea 2:18, NIV)


"Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD from the heavens!
Praise him from the skies!
Praise him, all his angels!
Praise him, all the armies of heaven!

Praise him, sun and moon!
Praise him, all you twinkling stars!
Praise him, skies above!
Praise him, vapors high above the clouds!

Let every created thing give praise to the LORD,
for he issued his command, and they came into being.
He set them in place forever and ever.
His decree will never be revoked.

Praise the LORD from the earth,
you creatures of the ocean depths,

fire and hail, snow and clouds,
wind and weather that obey him,
mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars,

wild animals and all livestock,
small scurrying animals and birds,

kings of the earth and all people,
rulers and judges of the earth,

young men and young women,
old men and children.

Let them all praise the name of the LORD.

For his name is very great;
his glory towers over the earth and heaven!"


(From Psalm 148, NLT)



Linked with:

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BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

MARTY THE BEAGLE TALKS TO GOD

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

I ate too much, talked non-stop, had so much fun, and didn't get nearly enough sleep!

But hey, isn't that what the holidays are for?!

Unfortunately, I am also a bit brain-dead...

So I'm re-posting something written a few years ago.  I think it's timely, as it talks about being thankful.  

Grateful.

Appreciative for the things we have, and for who we are.

It's a letter to God from my grandbeagle, Marty.

Who is one of the most appreciative creatures I know...



Dear Mr. God,

This is me, Marty the Beagle.

I just have something to say to You…OK?

I think You are a pretty cool guy! 

I know that You made me, and You take care of me. 

Thanks for that.

But I have a few questions.

How come people go around not wagging their tails? 

I mean, I'm happy every day.  It doesn't matter to me if it's raining or if it's sunny.  I just like being alive.  I've got water and food and toys and people to love me.

And I've got You.

So, I'm good.  What else do I need?

But people – it's like they don't even know You're up there.

They walk around with their faces all scrunched up with worried looks. 

They like this green stuff, they call it money, really a lot.  I don't get it.  It just looks like green paper to me (if I had the chance, I'd eat it just like I do the newspaper!) 

Why do they care about it so much?

They're always rushing around in these machines with tires on them.  Don't they know that you can see so much more with your nose to the ground? Sometimes I hear one of them say, "Take time to stop and smell the roses."  I do that every day (along with all the other things I smell – I am a hound, after all!) 

Why are they always in such a hurry?

Then they wear all these fancy things called "clothes."  I know that their *people rules* include putting this stuff on.  But I think they've forgotten their fur.  You know, the particular colors that make them who they are.  I've got three colors on me.  Brown, black, and white.  I think I look pretty awesome, because that's how You made me.

Why don't they appreciate how You made them?


Just one more thing…cause I know You're busy.

I like my life.

I like it because You gave it to me, and You're with me every day.

I appreciate a bowl of water, a good feast of kibble, a lengthy nap, a cuddle with my people, a soft blanket, toys to chew on (it's so much fun trying to get that squeaker thing out), and a couple of long walks a day.

Why aren't people thankful?


I think they think too much…about stuff that doesn't really matter.

I think they feel too much…about stuff that doesn't really matter.

Sometimes I don't think they know You…and You're all that really matters.


I don't think they wag their tails enough.


I'll go for now.  I'm thirsty, and I see a fly I'm going to try to catch.

Thanks for listening…I just had something to say to You.


Your friend,

Marty the Beagle


P.S.  Did I tell You that I think You are a pretty cool guy?!

All creatures
great and small,
The Lord God
made them all.

You care for people
and animals alike,
O LORD.
(Psalm 36:6)

"…God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him..." (Genesis 1:27, ESV)

"When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?  Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor." 
(Psalm 8:3-5, ESV)

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!  Your workmanship is marvelous – how well I know it." (Psalm 139:13-14, NLT)

"For we are God's masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

"For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7, AMP)

"…beauty is something internal that can't be destroyed.  Beauty expresses itself in a gentle and quiet attitude which God considers precious." 
(1 Peter 3:4, GOD'S WORD)

"For the LORD your God...will take delight in you with gladness...He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." (Zephaniah 3:17, ESV)

Are you wagging your tail?!



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BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

"SPITTING STITCHES"

Yeah, you read that right.

Spitting stitches.

What on earth am I talking about?

The phrase "spitting stitches" refers to the concept that either permanent or absorbable sutures that are normally just under the skin poke through the skin and are palpable on the outside.

OK, yes, gross.

But, Marty (my granddog) knows all about it.

About six weeks ago, Marty developed a bump along his scarline.  Over the course of two weeks, it waxed and waned, until finally it got quite large and red.  Yup, off to the vet's again!

Turns out that Marty's body was having a reaction to one of his surgery sutures.  (You can read about his surgery here).  So, though the stitch didn't actually break through to the surface, it was causing all sorts of problems – which led to more money, two weeks of antibiotics, and another stint with the Cone of Shame.

Marty is fine.

And like the wonder dog that he is, he took all this in stride.

But the whole process got me thinking about how the body works.

Fine-tuned to survive, the body does all sorts of cool things.  And one of the things it does is fight off invaders that don't belong.  Like bacteria, viruses, and foreign objects.

Like errant stitches!

Dissolvable stitches are meant to dissolve.  (Well yes, duh).  But sometimes they don't.  And then the body takes over, and tries to repel them. Kinda like what happens when you get a sliver.  I remember once when a tiny piece of glass worked its way out of my foot a year after I had stepped on broken glass in my kitchen!

This process is called *rejection.*  

Our body's immune system is designed to seek and destroy any foreign object that it finds in our bodies.  Rejection occurs as the body's immune system responds to the invasive entity.  Without our conscious knowledge or voluntary direction, our body starts the processes necessary to protect itself and remove the offending object.

An inflammatory response occurs when tissues are injured.

Damaged cells release chemicals, causing swelling, and this helps isolate the foreign substance from further contact with body tissues.  The chemicals also attract white blood cells that "eat" germs and dead or damaged cells.


You might not be a medical person, but I find this fascinating.

And it provokes wondrous awe at how God created bodies to work (even doggy bodies!)


Now you know me, I'm always going to be looking for a *God lesson* – and here's what I'm thinking:


1) Our physical bodies are indeed "fearfully and wonderfully" made.  God, knowing the eventual ramifications of sin – that it would bring about disease, injury, pain – fashioned in-built defenses.  It's amazing to watch them at work.

"Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous – how well I know it." (Psalm 139:14, NLT)


2) In the same way that our physical bodies can be "invaded," our spiritual beings are also subject to assault from things like temptation and sin. And since we were originally created perfect, sin is truly a "foreign object."

"When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned." (Romans 5:12, NLT)


3) Now, when we accept Jesus as our personal Savior, we also welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit.  And He's kinda like our spiritual immune system.  He works to seek and destroy sin in our lives.  He helps us to *reject* it!

"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the…Spirit [desires] what is contrary to the flesh." 
(Galatians 5:16-17, NIV)


I'm glad to say that though Marty was "spitting mad" at some stitches a while back, he's doing fine now.

And once again, his life has reminded me of some spiritual truths.

Bodies are wonderfully made.

And God has created some incredibly effective defense mechanisms.  The immune system is a miracle, in my opinion.  Mysterious, effective, strong.

And, in the same way, the Holy Spirit provides spiritual defense against the marauding onslaughts of temptation and sin.  He, too, is mysterious, effective, and strong.  


My friends, we are cared for immensely.  Our Heavenly Father has blessed our bodies and our souls with some pretty amazing stuff!

And I am so grateful that He helps me reject the things that don't belong!!

Here's to *spitting sin*!!

It's all good. 

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up." (Hebrews 12:1, NLT)

"...now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.  Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." (Colossians 3:8-10, NIV)

"That...is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.  You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:20-23, NIV)

"Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." 
(James 1:21, ESV)

"Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]." (Romans 12:2, AMP)

"'I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.'" (John 14:16-17, NASB)

"The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here.  So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living." (Romans 13:12, NLT)

"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." 
(2 Corinthians 10:4, NIV)



Are you *spitting sin* out of your life?



Linked with:

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BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

A BEAGLE HEALS

Marty.

My beloved granddog.

A clown, a rascal, a soldier.

That dog teaches me so many lessons about God.  I wonder if he knows that.  Sometimes I wonder if that's his purpose on this earth.

Well, let me tell you a bit about him being a soldier.

A couple of weeks ago, Marty had to have major surgery.  He had his spleen removed.  Yes, you heard that right – Marty *vented his spleen.*  The reason for this rather dramatic occurrence?  Well, here's the deal.  It's not all that uncommon for dogs to have growths on their spleens.  Most often they are cancerous, but even when they're not, they can be very dangerous.  These nodules grow and expand, and can burst – and then, a dog can bleed to death in a very short period of time.

So, the treatment is total removal of the problem.

One hospitalization, one "cone of shame," one two-week confinement to a dog bed and pen, and one suture/staple removal appointment later, Marty is doing fine.

No sign of cancer!

I stayed with my son for the two-week convalescent period.  (Marty is actually his dog, but don't tell either one of them that!!)  Yes, it allowed my son to go to work, and continue with a normal life.  But, truthfully, it also allowed me the chance to *love on* that dog, and be a lot less nervous about the whole process.

I will never forget how excited he was when we dropped him off for the surgery.  He loves the vet!!  People and dogs, what could be better?!  (Those moments just about broke my heart…)

And, I will never forget when we picked him up the next day.

My son and I sat in the examining room, and waited for the appearance of that beloved little face.  Well, I'll never forget seeing him as he turned the corner, wearing his cone, and walking like a snail on tranquilizers.  So slow, with his drugged-up eyes half open.  (My eyes teared up...big-time).

But, you know what?

That precious little dog wagged his tail and moseyed a tad bit quicker to get over to us!  Let me tell you, those licks of greeting and affection were the best ever.

See, he's a soldier.

As I watched Marty recover, I became determined to not let this experience pass without thinking about what I was learning through it all.  I am constantly reminded of my relationship with the Lord as I compare it to my relationship with my grandbeagle.

There's a purity of love and loyalty and devotion, a blessed freedom in total acceptance, a trust and a reliance that I receive from Marty.  He adores me, and is also happy and content in my presence.  He knows his needs will be fulfilled, and he feels perfectly cared for.  Under our wings, Marty is perfectly joyous.

Yes, Marty shows me how I should relate to my Master.

And my love for him?  It is also pure and loyal and devoted – given with total and unconditional acceptance.  Marty also has a way of bringing out the best in my heart.  I relate to him with self-sacrificing care, unmitigated joy, tender-heartedness, kind and gentle patience, big-smile delight, and can't-get-close-enough intimacy.  

And truly, isn't that just how our Master relates to us?!

So, what have I learned through this whole experience?

Here we go:

1) "Bad" things are sometimes good things in disguise

This whole odyssey started with a bad experience.  Last summer, Marty somehow got into the garbage and ate some leftover Chinese food.  By the next morning, his stomach was distended and hard, and he could barely move. A fast trip to the ER, an overnight stay, and multiple testing led to the discovery of the nodule on his spleen.

At the time, my son was quite frustrated with Marty.  (See the above-mentioned "rascal" reference).  And I was frustrated with the whole situation, too.

But, I have come to realize that the "coincidental" finding of the nodule on his spleen allowed us the chance to potentially save his life.

This really "bad" episode of beagle dumpster-diving was the circumstance that let us become aware of the growth.  We were able to monitor it, and remove it before it caused potentially life-threatening consequences.

How many times in the Bible do we read of the same sort of thing?

A seemingly bad thing, a "coincidental" occurrence, turns out to be a life-saving rescue?

Our greatest example?  

That terrible cross – the worst thing that ever happened in the history of time.  And yet, that "bad" turned out to be the best thing ever.  A life saver, in every way!

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." 

(Genesis 50:20, ESV)

2) Sometimes the cure is painful

In the end, the cure for Marty's problem involved major surgery, and a painful recovery.  The cure was invasive and drastic – but necessary. Sometimes, our sin requires the same thing.  Sometimes the cure isn't a bandage.  Sometimes the sin is much more than a skin-deep scratch.

This is when God does the right thing, the best thing.  He digs in with spiritual surgery, and removes the problem.  Painful, yes, and drastic.  And sometimes downright invasive.  We often don't want the "cure," do we?  

But sin can grow and expand and threaten us.

God is all about giving us Life.  And becoming more like Him, letting Him live through us, well, sometimes that requires major surgery, pain, and recovery.

But in the end, we are restored.

"But God's discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.  No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening – it's painful!  But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way." (Hebrews 12:10-11, NLT)

3) Accept the cage

Marty is an *allowed-on-the-couch-and-bed* dog.  My son spends a great deal of time next to his best friend, and vice versa.  But, surgery recovery required something else.  Absolutely NO jumping.  Nope, Marty needed to be confined in one small area to recuperate.

The solution?  A new dog bed, and a pen to surround him.

I'm not kidding.  It literally was like a little hospital ward!  Wanna know a secret?  I spent the first night sleeping on the floor next to him.  I started on the couch, but realized I wasn't going to get any sleep constantly wondering if he was OK.  So, a couple of couch cushions, a pillow, and some blankets later – the nurse moved into the "ward."

But this lesson centers on how willing Marty was to accept this whole change of routine.  He really just *went with the flow* – and never complained.

You know, sometimes life just brings a slew of problems.  Circumstances that jolt us out of our routines.  So often we find ourselves having to adjust to new challenges and aggravating inconveniences.   I don't know about you, but I don't do well in these kinds of situations.

I fight against them, and I complain.

Marty taught me, once again, that the best thing I can do is to accept what life throws at me, to remain unflustered by change, and to learn how to be content in the middle of every situation.

Even if I feel "penned in."

"…I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.  In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret…I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:11-13, ESV)

4) Take the time to escape

Marty has this thing – he loves to bury himself under blankets.  I think he likes shutting out the light and the noise and the distractions.  I think under a blanket is his *happy place.*

Well, this special place is a little harder to reach when one is wearing a plastic cone!!  

I had to laugh as I watched Marty try to maneuver the blanket with that cone on.  Well, at first I laughed, but then I had to help.  I could hear (even though he is a silent dog) his muttering frustration.

But, again, the lesson I learned is that sometimes you've just got to cover up and escape from life – you have to get away from it all.  Sometimes you just need to give yourself some grace.  Give yourself permission to not have it all together.  

Sometimes we need to stop being so hard on ourselves or we'll implode.

Sometimes we need to just find a good blanket (emotionally, spiritually – and sometimes, literally!), curl up, and just retreat from the world to recover, revive, refresh, and restore.

We have a good example.

Jesus Himself placed a high priority on finding time to rest.  His *alone* time was precious, and He needed it.  I do believe He would encourage us to follow in His footsteps.

And sometimes those footsteps need to lead us away to a quiet place.

"He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul…" (Psalm 23:2-3, NASB)

5) Rest in the love and care of others

As I've said before, Marty is a picture of perfect trust.  He just knows that we love him, and that we are doing everything in our power to protect and nurture and care for him.

He still loved us after surgery.  He accepted the cone when we had to place it on him.  He was content in the pen.  He eagerly ate the new food and willingly took the new medicine.  He entrusted himself to us, without a doubt, and rested in our arms.

Is this not the biggest lesson of all?

I think it might be for me.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.  Don't be impressed with your own wisdom.  Instead, fear the LORD…Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones." (Proverbs 3:5-8, NLT)

So yes, this was quite an ordeal.

But how can I relate this experience to my relationship with the Lord, my Master?

And what have I learned from Marty?

This:

I can still love the Lord even after a painful event.

I can accept change when the Lord deems it necessary – even if it's inconvenient and changes my routine.

I can be content when the Lord tells me it's time to rest – and realize that sometimes "jumping through all of the hoops" isn't the best.

I can eagerly eat the daily bread that He provides me – even on the days when it's different than what I'm used to, something I might not want, or feels meager.

I can willingly take the *medicine* of discipline, knowing that it is given because it will make me well.

I can entrust myself to Him, without a doubt, and rely on His loving arms.  I can know that He loves me, and believe that He will do everything in His power to protect and nurture and care for me.

I can trust Him…and rest.

Thank you, Marty, for once again teaching me so much about life and love and God.

A beagle heals.

And so do I…

The Happy Place 

The Precious Face

"The Eternal is my shepherd, He cares for me always.
He provides me rest in rich, green fields
    beside streams of refreshing water.

He soothes my fears;
He makes me whole again,
    steering me off worn, hard paths
    to roads where truth and righteousness echo His name.

Even in the unending shadows of death's darkness,
    I am not overcome by fear.
Because You are with me in those dark moments,
    near with Your protection and guidance,
    I am comforted.

You spread out a table before me,
    provisions in the midst of attack from my enemies;
You care for all my needs, anointing my head with soothing, fragrant oil,
    filling my cup again and again with Your grace.

Certainly Your faithful protection and loving provision will pursue me
    where I go, always, everywhere.
I will always be with the Eternal,
    in Your house forever."

(Psalm 23, THE VOICE)


"Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation." (Isaiah 12:2, NIV)

"When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.  In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid." (Psalm 56:3-4, NASB)

"Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully." (1 Peter 5:7, AMP)

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." (1 Peter 5:10, NIV)

"Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.  For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.  Against its will, all creation was subjected to God's curse.  But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay." (Romans 8:18-21, NLT)

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.  And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.'" (Revelation 21:4-5, ESV)

How do these lessons speak healing to your soul?



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