God has definitely been encouraging me to learn more fascinating facts about His plan for me while having fun doing it! Yes, we are expected to live by God’s standards and He knows that because we are human we will fail, but He has always found wonderful ways for me to learn by! Daily, He astonishes and challenges me to go beyond what I think I can do. Though my favorite lessons are the ones where He makes me chuckle . This is what my blog is about.
You see, my hubby and I are what you would call “organizationally challenged,” meaning our house is one big “unfinished project.” Even now, my priorities are in a sad state of disarray, as is my dirty kitchen and the laundry ! Oh, I feel a guilt trip coming on . . . Be right back!
Whew, dodged that bullet! (took out the garbage, put in one load of laundry and took the dog for a walk!)
As I was saying, not only are we a match made in heaven, but also on earth, both with the same procrastination gene! Month after month, and with the best of intentions, we revamped our resolution to tackle the clutter that seemed to multiply by the minute. When we tried designating couple time to talk, we ended up watching a classic film. We bought a dry erase calendar, where we could assign chores to each other by week and forgot to erase the old month and currently the ink, which may be dried permanently, reads JULY?AUGUST 2011!! So much for best intentions. Time after time, we failed to follow through. Then a revelation! Why not get a puppy!!!?
Our 5 month old “drill instructor”, Major
Okay, so your incredulity is showing! The cocking of your eye brows and shaking your head gave it away . I realize many of you sit there gaping in disbelief! We, being known to arrive a half hour late for almost everything, except church (usually 15 minutes late on Sunday, because We must do our best on the Sabbath you know!!) we came to the conclusion that raising a puppy may not have been the smartest idea!
For example today, as I am writing and editing, periodically, I have to get up and check on our new addition. EVERY piece of paper off the coffee table, EVERY bit of lint under the chairs, EVERY crumb that falls off kitchen counter is consider edible booty, a feast for our tenacious rover! (which I just discovered is a synonym for “pirate by the way! too cool!) That Laundry I mentioned earlier? Were you aware that ALL clothes NEED to get FOLDED AND PUT AWAY? Well, obviously we didn’t until our four-legged drill instructor ran us through his version of an obstacle course!! Around the rocking chair, under the coffee table (watch out you don’t crack you forehead making that dive), sliding on the entryway rug, right on through the kitchen and you must touch all three wooden steps down into the family room! And the most incredible, and tricky option is to do all this while firmly grasping a pair of sweatpants between your teeth. We opted out of the sweatpants variation and decided to work on our deep breathing , while yelling “No!! ” “Stop!!” and “Do you want time out?!” Sad , huh? Other times he is barking at our Joy, who is just happy that he is not using her litter box! Quickly,she realize her need to exercise more! Lately, her only comment regarding all these early morning sessions is: “ME -OW!)
Joy dreaming of peace, quiet and a the motivation to start her new diet 🙂 Does any one have a low cal recipe for tuna casserole?
Yet, despite the canine induced workouts, and “voice training lessons,” we seem to recognized God’s hand in it all. As You can see from the photo above he is a” major charmer” too! My husband says he charmed all the girls at the vet clinic the other day and just think he went for shots and come out the local Heartthrob!! It just amazes me, but not surprising! when his big brown eyes observe the smallest bug on the sidewalk, his innate need to greet and love on all people no matter the size shape or color. His desire to cuddle his warm 45lb body next to you, laying his head in your lap and saying “I love you ” in puppy language, licking your hand and sighing the deep sigh of contentment is all the reminder that I need of God’s gracious and merciful goodness. We have neglected the gifts of His provision, our home included, far to long and because of this WE no longer can avoid taking those steps of discipline in keeping our home in order! Our drill-instructor wouldn’t have it any other way 🙂
My son, keep your father’s commandment,
and forsake not your mother’s teaching.
Bind them on your heart always;
tie them around your neck.
When you walk, they will lead you;when you lie down, they will watch over you;
and when you awake, they will talk with you.
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,
and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life, . . .
Proverbs 6: 20-23
Following Your Heart's Desire 