Is it too soon for another puppy story? I thought not….. =)
One of the most endearing things about our new little dog is how much he loves his sticks. OK, so I know most dogs, especially puppies will chew on a stick if it’s laying nearby, but our puppy’s attachment to sticks is in a whole other category – nearing something more like obsession! He chases sticks….he drags sticks around….he piles sticks….he hides sticks for later….he not only chews on sticks, but full-out eats them (which worries me a bit, actually)….I’m telling you; this boy has a thing for sticks!
Recently my husband did some pruning in our yard resulting in lots and lots of sticks. I’d been out for much of the day and when I pulled into the driveway it was truly a sight to behold. There was a huge mound of tree and bush trimmings of all sizes in the yard and smack in the middle of it all was a very, very happy Boaz (the dog.) Even though he was tuckered out from hours of “helping”, when he saw me he rallied to show off his sticks and started running my way with his body wiggling like crazy and a branch the size of his body somehow being held in his teeth. What I saw was a little dog with lots of heart, full of joy and surrounded not just by sticks, but by…..abundance.
I’ve been thinking about those sticks for a couple of days now….how there were so many more than he could possibly ever hope to drag around, play with and (gasp!) eat…and that picture of “so much more than enough” makes me think it’s time to take a break from our Lenten heart-work and just pause to be reminded how great, how big, how deep, how loving, how good and yes, how….abundant our God is in all ways.
I know (because you have told me) there are some of you who are very bravely struggling to find hope…renew faith…trust God. I pray daily that somehow those tender places are reached, loved and healed! And I also know that, for me, sometimes I just need to step back a bit from my head and even my pain to take in the vastness of the God who loves us so.
“This Is Our God” by Chris Tomlin reminds us that all we need isn’t “out there”, but right here – found in our God.
Blessed to be right here with you! <3
This Is Our God
Chris Tomlin
A refuge for the poor
A shelter from the storm
This is our God
And He will wipe away your tears
And return your wasted years
This is our God
Oh, hmm, this is our God
Oh, hmm, this is our God
A father to the orphan
A healer to the broken
This is our God
And He brings peace to our madness
And comfort in our sadness
This is our God
Oh, hmm, this is our God
Oh, hmm, this is our God
This is the one we have waited for
This is the one we have waited for
This is the one we have waited for
Oh, this is our God
A fountain for the thirsty
A lover for the lonely
This is our God
And He brings glory to the humble
And crowns for the faithful
This is our God
Oh, hmm, this is our God
Oh, hmm, this is our God
And this is the one we have waited for
This is the one we have waited for
This is the one we have waited for
Oh, hmm, this is our God
Oh Lord You are the one we have waited for
You are the one we have waited for
So You are the one we have waited for
Oh, hmm, this is our God
Oh, hmm, this is our God
Thanks for sharing. I enjoy doing a devotion with you in the morning and be refreshed by the songs you pick. Blessings to you, Tom, Kelsey and Boaz.