~reflections~musings~inspirations~insights~and life lessons learned by one who is
whole-heartedly, steadfastly, firmly in HIS grip~

Romans 1:6 "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..."


Friday, January 2, 2009

We are off to Missouri so please enjoy...It's A Dog's Life...we should be so smart!


Today we are heading back up to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri to drop Jake off. He graduates 15 January and will be stationed there until deployed. I thought you might enjoy this story. I posted it back in July when I only had one reader...thanks Brother Jim! I posted the cartoon for you! :-D God bless and we'll see you again real soon!

Repost from...
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
It's A Dog's Life...we should be so smart!

Before Jimmy and I married I was a cat person. However, my boys have always loved dogs. Richard was the worst. I don’t know how he managed but it seemed every stray dog in the county showed up on our door step. When he was about 13 we were in a "dog free" period and he had just started the Junior Firefighter program at the local volunteer station. Jake was almost three and I decided to check out the local shelter to see if I could find a Dalmatian. Lucky me…they had one that was house broken and did a few tricks.

As our first house pet, "Backdraft" quickly became part of the family. While he was intended to be a surprise for Richard the dog had other ideas and he and Jake became fast friends. When Jake started school the dog would watch from the front window while "his boy" got on the bus. As it slowly rolled out of sight, Backdraft would head to the bedroom to sleep and watch TV. You would think the dog could tell time! At 3:00 every afternoon he would meander over to the window, poke his head through the curtains and wait - sometimes sitting, sometimes standing, but never lying down.

Before the bus was even in sight the dog would jump up and start wagging his tail. I mean, really wagging his tail. As the bus drew closer he would run to the kitchen door, back to the window and to the door again until Jake burst through and dog and boy were reunited. There were slurps from the dog, pats from Jake, giggles and wiggles, and off they would go. I know from that daily routine why people say, "Dog is man’s best friend."

Backdraft died years ago and for many months Jake literally mourned the loss of "the only dog he will ever love." It’s kind of odd, I think about that dog and the way he loved his boy many times. Most often as I am getting ready for church - of all places. Do I wait patiently enough on the Lord, like that dog waited every day for the big yellow bus to pull up and deposit the love of his life at the end of the long driveway? Am I as excited to see the Lord as I step in the front doors of the sanctuary as that dog was when his little boy walked in the kitchen door? After all, isn’t that the way it should be? We are going to a place where we commune with our Lord. Shouldn’t we be excited? Shouldn’t we be happy? Shouldn’t we look forward to it all week?

I ask you, just as I ask myself, to examine why you go to church. Is it for the people, the music, the programs, the Pastor? Is it because that’s what good people do? Or…are you going because it is there you see the love of your life?

7 comments:

  1. What a wonderful story. I will be praying earnestly for you as you drop your son off. I know that will be a difficult time but I am so very glad you were able to spend time with him during the Christmas season.

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  2. What a sweet story. It reminds me how much I miss my Ruthie (mini schnauzer died 1999). She was my bestest buddy. I have tears hanging off the corners of my eyes. I love dogs. They are so loyal and love us so much.
    We love God because HE first loved us. We don't have to do it in a designated building or a time. He loves us and we love Him all the time.
    Sparky ♥ ∞

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  3. I can so identify with this story... we had a beagle/jackrussel who was the love of our lives. She got in her bed on April 14th went to sleep and never woke up, she was 13 human yrs. She loved us and the grandchildren so much, you always knew when the 'kids' were around that's when she was her happiest!!
    and YES, that is the way we should be when we are worshiping our Lord. Like most people, I go to be with other believers, and praise God for my Church Family.. Many times the Lord and I have our best times in our times together on my back porch, or on one of my long walks, which I used to take with Shelby.

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  4. I am still a cat person but we have two huge dogs I love. I love the closeness of a cat on my lap and I have always been fortunate enough to have very loving, demonstrative cats as well.

    Whenever my wife would play worship music, our cat would lie there and purr. Very sensitive, marvelous cat.

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  5. What made you get quiet on way back from MO?

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  6. Happy New year sis!!
    (((Hugz))) I have missed you!! I wanted to drop by and say hello as well. Hubby got me an early birthday gift..A little notebook laptop, it fits in my purse lol. Well now I can visit and blog once again praise the Lord!
    Saying prayers for and your family and especially your son. I know it's hard I've had to do it as well when my son when he joined the Marines. But they do make us proud don't they!! See you when you get back okay.

    Hugz Lorie

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  7. Not a cat person - have had dogs - but now I have a horse!

    I go to church as part of worship - and a place of service. I love to teach SS Class - with a passion! I have a class of about 50 adults. I love to see those I have been praying for!

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Thanks for stopping by...I look forward to seeing you again!