I usually get up between 2 and 3 a.m. My little dog sleeps near my office in his bed inside a wire crate (and has done so since he was a little pup). The first thing I do in the morning is to let him out and tell him good morning. He’s “always” in a good mood and happy to see me, as indicated by his rapidly wagging tail.
I head to my study and he trots off into the living room. It’s as though he has a sixth sense in knowing when I begin writing Words for the Day, because just as soon as I’m in deep concentration on it, he comes into my office and starts jumping around wanting to go outside, thus ruining my train of thought. If I try to ignore him, he only dances that much more intensely and complements his antics by pawing my leg, (whether I’m wearing workout shorts or sweat pants).
Finally I look at him over my reading glasses and scowl, “Oh all right”, and take him outside.
He goes to my truck and carefully smells all four tires and then peruses the yard smelling of every leaf, twig, pine cone, bush, or acorn within 100 yards. I want to go inside and get back to writing WFTD, but he’s in no hurry. After 30 minutes of this nonsense, he’s finally ready to come back inside and thereupon insists on receiving his “treat”.
I give him his cookie and stalk back into my study muttering to myself, and try to get back into writing WFTD. When he finishes his treat he loudly laps up some water and then comes back into my office and paws on me again. If I pretend to ignore him, hoping he will go away, he paws that much harder. This continues until I pick him up in my lap, scratch his ears, pet him, and softly tell him what a good dog he is, and how pretty he looks this morning. After about five minutes of being petted, he yawns and wiggles around and I put him back down and he trots back to his living room bed, and goes back to sleep, at which point I can finally concentrate again and finish writing WFTD in peace and quiet.
I consider this daily ritual to be a major distraction, but it is one of the highlights of his life.
I cannot help but think about how the foregoing statement pertains, not just to my puppy, but to those around me, and for that matter my relationship with God. How often are we in such a hurry, or so preoccupied with “things” that we simply ignore those around us. Taking a few minutes out of our day to say hello, or call someone we haven’t talked to in a while, or for that matter to pray to God can make all the difference to them, (and come to think of it, to us).
As I was softly rubbing the base of Cooper’s ears and gently scratching his back this morning, he was staring intently into my eyes with his huge brown eyes. I saw an expression of complete devotion and love in that little dog’s demeanor. I couldn’t help but contemplate that he doesn’t ask much of me, and this is but a small portion of my entire day, but it’s such a huge thing to him.
I kind of hated to see it end this morning, but alas he started squirming and yawning indicating that he was ready to go back to sleep. It was not lost on me how often I take this little pup for granted and how much I enjoy being around him. I shudder to think of the day he passes on and I won’t have these early morning encounters. Life just wouldn’t be the same without him I tell you.
Selah! Stop and reflect about this for a moment.
Why not give someone you know and love a call this morning and just tell them you wanted to catch up. Heck, tell them you love them. Don’t curtly nod to someone in the office; stop and say hello and ask how things are going.
I think God wants us to do such things…
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.