Since the day she took ownership, Sharon has walked, brushed, petted, fed and bribed Tex with treats every day.
Affection has become such a routine, Tex whinnies when he hears the sound of her voice.
'Isn’t that neat?' I said one day. 'He’s excited to see you.'
'No,' Sharon replied, 'He just wants his treat.' I think we were both right.
Before he performs one correct behavior or carries her one step around the arena, my sister shows Tex kindness.
Every night after work, she prepares his meal, freshens his water, and cleans his stall. When she leaves to fill the food bowl, Tex gets excited. He is certain of what is coming and dances with anticipation.
One night I saw Tex move to the gate of his stall, extend his strong neck, and twist his head around the corner to get a better view.
As Sharon approached with the food bowl, Tex even extended his lips. He expected carrots with his entire being.
As I watched, I was struck with how much God wants His children to grow accustomed to love.
He wants us to expect blessings, not disappointment.
Having tasted God’s goodness in the past, He wants us to trust Him even more, reach up to heaven with thanks for past blessings, and dance in the knowledge we are loved.
Tex will never comprehend the sacrifices my sister makes to provide him with a good life. To her, the cost is small in comparison to the joy she receives.
Likewise, Father God gets joy out of loving us. He doesn’t require us to be perfect before showering us with blessings.
He loves us like a parent loves a child. Nothing we can ever do will pay Him back for the sacrifice He made to guarantee our eternal life. Nothing we have done, or will do, can ever change His love for us.
So how do we thank God for years and years of unearned treats? He tells us in the Word: Believe He loves us.
No matter what happens on earth, trust His love. Wait with anticipation for the Lord’s return. In essence, expect more.
Take a step forward, lean out of the stall, and expect God. He’ll always provide the unexpected."
"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good: Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!" Psalm 34:8
Expect Carrots – Sandra Wood
Sandra Wood is a freelance writer who enjoys capturing the extraordinary blessings of God in the details of ordinary life. Through short stories, poetry, and photography, she likes to capture rays of hope streaming down from heaven every day.
Read Sandra’s devotions.
Used by permission www.christiandevotions.us
[Father, help me to take a step forward, lean out of my stall, and expect You to provide the unexpected.]
Today’s quote: Jessie Duplantis: "Uncommon faith, or the gift of faith, comes from God to believe Him for the impossible.
Our thought for today: We have an expectation of how things will turn out. It is a faulty view of what God is doing. Let Him be God!
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