Who would have thought that I'd be getting life lessons from my dog? But it's true, I learn a lot from him. Some of the lessons are by negative example, others are more positive. Today, I will talk about Smokey as a negative example.
When his dinner is late, he thinks I'm going to forget to provide for him, and he makes sure to remind me—repeatedly and with increasing desperation—that I need to feed him. He has a most expressive way of doing this. He will climb up on my lap if he's able and lean toward my face and then melodramatically sniff at my mouth.
Similarly, when I drop Smokey off at the groomers, he fears that I've abandoned him and that he'll never see me again. Whenever I return, he dances and jumps around me in an ecstasy of relief.
I'm embarrassed to admit that this frantic pleading and worrying reminds me of the way I sometimes pray when I really want something. I remind God at every opportunity of whatever my current worry or fear is and how I think he should relieve my distress. Worse still, even after all these years, I fear sometimes that God will give up on me. But God is even less likely to forget me than I am to forget Smokey.
During my prayer and listening time, God is always faithful to remind me, "Ruth, I love you. I will not let you go. I have brought you this far. Do you think I would ever let you fall?"
Little by little, I am coming to believe it.
As some of you know, writing assignments have been scarce for my husband and me the last few months. Well, we've recently been contacted about the possibility of a long-term project. It isn't final, and I'm not counting on it yet, but we do have more hope.
If this job doesn't come through, I will try to have more faith in my master than Smokey does in me. Even so, I will probably have my anxiety-ridden nights. Fortunately, God loves me enough to tolerate my emotionalism, just as I accept my dog's.
*Another blogger, L.L. Barkat, kindly told me about a group writing project whose theme this post fits: "What I Learned from Animals."
If you are interested in participating, you can find information about the project at Robert Hruzek's posting.
If you interested in learning about the organization sponsoring the project, go to High Calling.
12 comments:
I agree with you, Ruth, but sometimes, I'm afraid of the hard things that may come. I don't doubt that God has the ability and hasn't forgotten, but that He might choose for me a difficult path and it's hard not to brace myself (and worry). I know I need to focus more on the final good that's ahead.
someone once told me that our prayers of petition are like a string around God's finger. Not that I think He needs reminding at all....but I kind of like that we are somewhat responsible to come to Him with a plea, a reminder of where we actually fit in the greater picture...His way is perfect and how are we to know or dictate when and how right? But he never forsakes or forgets us!
What a lovely reflection. It reminds me of a sweet little book I read last year on retreat that I wrote about here. The author talks about how God delights in the fact that God loves us for our very creatureliness just as we love our animal companions. I found it very comforting and wonderful to think about that.
I sure hope you get that long term assignment. That would be wonderful!!
Take care.
Thank you for this- how true is that. I am really bowed over by this post Ruth.
Ah, yes, how we can learn from our pets! Hey, this reminds me of the group writing project that's going on at the High Calling (a place worth looking into for potential freelance work, btw). Anyway, check it out here:
http://highcallingblogs.com/writing-project-animals/
What a wonderful post! Our Jethro is a four-year-old Havanese but he shares a lot of Smokey's traits. Our pastor says that there will be no dogs in Heaven. I sure hope he's wrong.
Thanks Ruth. I needed this reminder today.
nikkipolani, you make an insightful point. I think we do often worry that God will send us down a difficult path.
Trish, I like the way you put it--he doesn't forget us, but he wants us to come to him anyway.
Kelly, thanks for the good wishes. I'll be sure to let folks know what happens.
Fran and Jackie, thanks for saying this spoke to you.
Bob, good to see you again.
Kate, thanks for the book reference.
L.L., thanks for the link. I will definitely look into it.
This looks like a great, great dog! I learn lots from mine too.
Scout always lays down in the hallway in the morning, waiting for me to feed her. I think, like Smokey, she doesn't want me to forget.
Unlike you, I did.... once.
This a great reflection on God's faithfulness.
Ruth, this is an excellent lesson about the way we sometimes act towards God. I know I've been guilty of the same "don't forget me, God!" attitude sometimes, particularly when the uncertainty and anxiety are high.
So glad God is patient with us!
Thanks for joining us for the What I Learned From... writing project! Hope to see you back every month!
(And thanks for pointing Ruth this way, L.L.!)
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