So we have this new dog, right? And let me tell you, it’s a real test of patience and understanding sometimes! She’s still a puppy, about eight months old now, and there are moments when she can be — well — trying. Yet God has a way of using everything, even her, to deal with me.
The other morning I got up pretty early and did my usual routine of taking her outside to potty first thing. It was still a bit dark and the humidity was up (as it usually is here in Florida during the summer). My patience was running thin as I was beginning to sweat and wanted her to hurry up and do her “business” so we could go back into the cool house, but she continued wandering around the backyard sniffing the air and just wanting to sit and enjoy the dawning of the day.
Then the little Voice came to me: “Why don’t you be more like your pup?”
“What about my pup? She’s just wasting time aimlessly wandering around — I’m hot!” Discerning this was a teaching moment from Father God, I surrendered and said, “Okay. Let me stop for a moment and observe her.”
I watched as she sat looking up at the few remaining stars that were about to fade as the sunrise peeped through the trees. I watched as she perked her ears up to hear the birds beginning to chirp at the day’s breaking. Creation was speaking the newness of the morn, praising their Creator for a brand new start. The old song from Lamentations 3:22-23 immediately rose up in me: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning, new every morning, great is Thy faithfulness, O Lord. Great is Thy faithfulness.”
I smiled. Yes, great is Your faithfulness, Lord. This morning You were just wanting to remind me of Your goodness as I was about to zoom right past it to get to my daily “devotions.” Little did I consider that His presence was already there in the backyard with my puppy. I think God smiled too.
There are other lessons I’m learning from my puppy, but for now, let me simply encourage you, my dear reader, to stop for a moment — to be still and know that He is God. (Ps.46:10) Every morning receive His mercies and rejoice in His faithfulness. If you’re like me, you may need a puppy to help you remember. God is always good.