Lessons in Faith. Taught by a Dog

Bloggy friends,

Sitting in her favorite place. My lap.

I've been wrestling with my thoughts these past couple weeks. What is faith? I mean really -- lived every day, what does faith look like? What does God want from me? How can I show Him my gratitude for His unending love? Does my life even reflect my faith in Him?

Apparently, He wants me to understand because we now have Daisy. A dog. I am NOT a dog person! My good friends know that me having a dog is about as likely as snow in h - e - double hockey sticks! 

Daisy adores me. I mean really adores me. No matter who plays with her, holds her or feeds her, when I walk in the room, her tail goes crazy and she does everything in her power to get to me. Yes, it makes me feel good to be so loved.

Daisy obeys me. When I take her outside, I don't need a leash. She sits when I tell her to. She comes when I call her. She's learning to stay in place if I command it, but those little muscles in her legs twitch like crazy, fighting the urge to race to me. Very funny. When I want to come in, I walk to the back door. She hurtles to the door to get there, not wanting to be left outside.

Daisy apologizes to me. Really. Her house training has gone really well, but occasionally she has accidents in the house. When I clean up, she sits nearby, head tilted to the side, with big pathetic eyes that say, "Oops. I really didn't mean to do that. Do you still love me?" No need to reprimand. One look into that face and all is forgiven.

Daisy trusts me. Within four days, Daisy was completely crate trained. The first few nights, she whined and whined. It broke our hearts to listen to her sad lament. Though, she always settled down. Not liking it, perhaps, but giving in. It's like she knew we were doing what's best for her. Now, she runs to her crate when she wants alone time (not often). She circles up and settles in when we tuck her into the crate for the night. No whimpers. No fuss. 

I wonder if this is what God truly desires from me. Would His heart burst if I ran to him, ecstatic, every day? Instead of wagging tail, I could shout my adoration to Him. Would He fill with pride at my obedience? Listening to His instruction and following His ways. Running to Him at the end of the day. Would He love my immediate remorse as I love Daisy's? One quick and heartfelt apology from me and all is forgiven. Does He crave my trust? He knows the plans He has for me. He has my best interest at heart. Like Daisy couldn't understand the crate, I might not understand His ways. But, can I trust Him as she trusts me? Completely?

Father God,

You desire to fill our hearts with You. You want our trust, obedience, remorse, and adoration. Why do I find it so hard to do? Why can't I run to you like my dog runs to me? Lord, fill my heart with more of You. Draw me in. Help me listen. Help me follow. Help me to trust. I lay my life at Your feet. I love You. I hope that today at least I show it.

In Jesus' precious name I pray,

Amen