Thoughts for Life: Lessons Learned from My Dog

Judy Doyle - "Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” (Roger Caras)

My little Boston-terrier mix thinks she’s human.

She can be obstreperous, especially when I'm reading the paper. She jumps onto my lap almost destroying the newspaper.

It's difficult to get angry with her because she’s only showing me how much she loves me.

Once she’s gotten my attention, she gazes into my eyes. I wonder what she’s trying to tell me.

Call me an idiot if you want, but I think she's telling me, Hey, I love you. Do you love me?

Of course, with those piercing eyes, I tell her I do. She leans ever so gently against my chest and urges me to pet her.

We can learn much from our dogs. They love and accept us
unconditionally. They trust us.

But as Sophie gazed into my eyes today, I thought: That's exactly what God wants from me.

God wants me to gaze into His eyes, to ascertain what He wants me to do.

God wants to reassure me of His unconditional love.

Like Sophie leaning on my chest, I believe God longs for me to lean upon Him.

I've learned when I lean upon God, I find unconditional love, acceptance, and instruction.

Jesus told us, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you."

He urged me not to not let my heart be troubled and certainly not to be afraid.

Jesus offered me this comfort and peace. All I have to do is accept it. Within Him, there is unconditional love.

Roger Caras is only partially correct. As much as our dogs enhance our lives, only Jesus gives us joy.

Snuggle into God’s arms and listen to Him whisper He loves you.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27 NIV

Lessons from My Dog - Judy Doyle

Photo credit: www.freedigitalphoto.net / By posterize

Judy Doyle is a retired United Methodist pastor.

She served as the associate pastor for First United Methodist Church of Pekin (IL) for seventeen years.

Judy accepted Jesus Christ her as personal savior as a young person.

She and her husband, Ron, have been married for thirty-five years. They have a son, Tim, who is married to Amanda.

Read Judy's devotions.

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(Used by permission http://www.christiandevotions.us/ and by Judy)

(Google images added)

Today, I complete my 77th year of living! Rejoice with me, that the Father has enabled me to have good health, a teachable heart, and a desire to serve Him, and others.

Let’s pray:

Good examples!

Father, it is our desire to be more like Your Son. May we learn to speak with Him everyday, to see what it is He would have us do.

Cause my own heart to lean in heavily on You, to learn more about Your Love for me, so I can share it with others.

May I worship You with my spirit and with honesty, so I can experience how to love You more effectively.

In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 54:6 "I will freely sacrifice unto thee; I will praise thy name, O LORD, for it is good."

Today’s quote: Max Lucado – “Jesus once asked, if we humans who are sinful have such a love, how much more does God, the sinless and selfless Father, love us? But what happens when the love isn’t returned? What happens to the heart of the father when his child turns away? Matt. 7:11

Some thoughts today: Our relationships are empowered through our giving value to others. We can sow seeds of kindness by our serving others where God is moving.

- Sowing positions you for increase; whether financial, emotional, physical, or in serving others.

- True worship is the surrendering of our heart to Him Who is Worthy of all praise.

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20th- Tuesday's post:  #85 A Profile of Personal Intercessors C. Peter Wagner

22nd- Thursday's post:  #86 The Gift of intercession C. Peter Wagner

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