Some of you may have read a couple of my lessons from my puppy articles. Well, I think I may be slowly transforming into my pup. I’m starting to learn to take time to enjoy the present moment like she does. (See article.)
This morning as I was eating a strawberry, I happened to notice that it was pretty sweet. “Wow!” I thought. Then I closed my eyes and took another bite, savoring the juices and enjoying the taste of it. Such a simple thing, yet it brought a touch of joy to my morning.
Most mornings I take Dasha, our husky puppy, on a walk through the neighborhood. And lately, her sniffer has been going crazy!
Here in North Florida it’s beginning to feel more like Fall. The humidity is down, the temperatures have dropped a bit, and a the wind is blowing. It smells like Fall too! We Floridians have a thing when it gets September and October and the hurricanes pass us by off the Atlantic coast. We love the feel and the scent of them! (Or maybe I’m just speaking for myself.)
I particularly love the nor’easters and what we call “fish storms”— the hurricanes that stay out to sea — that bring the wind and waves to the coastline but never hit land. There’s a special mood about them.
So yesterday I sat outside, closed my eyes, and just absorbed the atmosphere, like Dasha our pup does. I felt the breeze on my face, heard the wind chimes tinkling continually, and smelt the fragrance of the air. What a stress reliever! I could feel myself relax in the presence of the Lord as I thought of the verse, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Ps.46:10)
To me, knowing that Father God is always with me (Matt.28:20), and feeling His presence from His creation is very calming and nourishing to both my body and soul. As the Creator, He holds all things in His hands, and that includes me! Taking the time to feel this powerful yet gentle force gives me such a grounding.
And thus, maybe I am starting to learn lessons from my pup — to simply enjoy the taste of a strawberry, the smells in the air, or the wind in my face, and rejoice in the sweet joy of my salvation. Try it yourself.