*********Our sweet boy passed away yesterday, February 20, 2023.  He was almost 12 years old and taught us so many things worth repeating.  The Father used him in so many ways.  RIP Sweet boy, our hearts are broken, but how grateful we are to have had you in our lives.********

My pup and I have a routine we go through every single night. And if I am not where I am supposed to be, sometime in the evening I have to get there…no matter the hour.

Our Westie is five years old and quite a tenacious little fellow. When he wants to play, he wants to play. He really won’t leave you alone until you do what he wants. I actually think he is running our household; no, I know he is!

Back to our routine. I sit in the recliner, put a small covering over my legs and that is his cue. He has a “Mr. Bear” and he jumps up, puts him in my lap. After that placement, he walks around the room, as if checking everything out, and then jumps in my lap. He actually uses the stuffed bear as a pacifier of sorts, but he must be in my lap. No where else suffices. It doesn’t matter the mood I am in, what I look like or even smell like! He licks my arm and settles in.

So these last past 12 days have been a little hard on Oscar.  I have had a little gate around my chair to make sure he does not jump in my lap.  It has broken my heart.  And I think it has been hard on his.  He knows something isn’t “just right” with me, but seems so sad to have to walk away from my chair.

It made me think of such a sweet lesson. Unconditional love. Now don’t start thinking I am comparing God’s love to the love of a dog…but folks, who else does that? You walk in that door after a tough day and who is there ready to greet you?

I want to be like that. I want to be in my Master’s lap. I want to let Him know how much I love Him. I want to feel safe, and I want my time with Him to be a habit. So I guess I wish I could be like my dog!! Or at least have that commitment and constant desire.

The Father loves us so much and without one tiny condition. He wants to spend time with us. Why would I NOT want to do that? Does it break His heart?

Now hopefully it won’t be long until we are back to our routine!

Be Encouraged Today

Tammy

Tammy

*NIV Bible, personal graphics, pictures