Testing the Boundaries

I walked Zeke two nights in a row.  He's been to doggy boot camp.  Our trainer (and yes I say "our" because Jeff had to train both myself and Zeke) told me that Zeke has been imprinted with what to do and how to behave.  He's a sneaky dog though.  Sometimes, he likes to walk just "a head" in front of me when he's suppose to be right beside me or just behind.  He's smart though, he knows not to go so far as to start pulling.  It's interesting this game he played tonight.  Getting ahead but not so far ahead that I just barely miss being able to correct him.  He's not usually like this.  He's usually obedient and takes little correction but tonight....he decided to test the boundaries.

In this life we are tested and sometimes God allows us to get ahead of Him.  We often find it exciting at first, bouncing along like Zeke did, glancing back once in a while to see if He's still there.  What ends up happening is something makes us uncomfortable and we got to get back to our safe zone, to the side of our Master.  Jeff, the trainer, told me that it is important that I establish leadership with Zeke.  He gave me examples on how to do so and he proceeded to tell me that it helps Zeke understand his role in the "pack" and helps him relax instead of being stressed out over it.  (Because if you've ready my blog long enough, he is not alpha material!)   It is a lot of pressure to lead, to make decisions that can affect long term.  That is why we need to let God be the leader, let God guide the way, let God weave us through the streets of life.  The pressure is off, the stress is gone, we find our safe place....slowly move to the side of our Master as He takes care of us.

Running to God

I was a school teacher.  I was a school teacher ten years ago on September 11, 2001.  I didn't know how to react and I didn't quite understand what was going on when people told me what was happening.  I couldn't visualize the planes and the buildings.  I had my students sitting in front of me and I was at the point where I had to figure out what to do, how to act, what to teach.  The seniors had explained to me the buildings as they had been to New York.  It was incomprehensible.

It was incomprehensible until I found myself in front of the television that night.  It was heartbreaking.  It was confusing.  It was enough to make one angry at all the very innocent lives that were taken.  It was.....terrifying. 

I remember the faces of those kids in my class that day.  I see where they are in their lives today.  Some of them are married with children. Some have careers.  Some have or are serving their country.  I did not know that day on September 11, 2001 that some of those young people would go across the world and serve our country.  To fight terror.  I am so very proud of those that have sacrificed.  That have stood face to face with the pains and terrors of war.

The only thing I wish we could relive is the way I felt like we were all RUNNING TO GOD.  Confused, scared, upset....many in our country turned to God for answers, for security, for intercession, and some...for salvation.  Running can be a beautiful picture.  When Zeke runs to me it is in eager anticipation of love and attention.  Running is sometimes created by fear as you run away from some things.  Running TO something or someone is an act that below the surface..within the heart has so much emotion and so much expectation.

I pray that I can always be near to God and when I am not near, I am RUNNING, I am seeking the great God I so greatly need.  I pray our country will RUN to God.  That as we look back on ten year ago, a day so difficult to describe, a day that when I browse pictures and stories I am choked up with overwhelming emotions....that when we look back, America runs to God.

Who Are You Waiting On?

My labs wait for me.  It is a form of love and trust.  One that was built when I began providing for them. For Nay Nay, our rescue lab, I provided food, love, shelter, good health....I met her most basic needs.  She was starved and recovering from heart worms. It took a lot of time for Nay to trust us but as the months past the bond become greater.  For Zeke, as a puppy the bond happened instantly.  The provisions were the same and for most of his life he has known no other master.  My labs know I provide and so they wait for me.  They don't look to the neighbor for provision....though they wouldn't turn a treat down!  When Zeke needs to go outside he waits silently at the door.  When Nay wants water she waits by the empty bowl.

So who are you waiting on?  We wait on so many things and so many people.  We wait on our family, but our family is human and not always in full understanding of our needs.  We wait on our friends, but they can't always be there for us.  We wait on those in leadership, but they don't love us like the One that we should be waiting on loves us.

There is One who is holy, righteous, full of grace, ever-loving.....that we wait upon.  For when we wait upon the Holy One, we have nothing to be weary of, we have nothing to be fearful of, we have nothing to be needful of.  The Holy One knows our hearts and most basic needs.  The Holy One knows our fears and doubts. The Holy One knows our hopes and desires.....the Holy One knows....knows everything about us.

I was taking photos of my Bible to use as "wallpaper" on something I was working on.  I wanted a passage that was inspiring and common and when I found myself at Isaiah 40, I snapped a picture to include verse 31.  Before long I found myself meditating upon it.  I found myself saving it as my screen saver.  I found myself being inspired by a passage I have heard for years.  I asked myself, do I wait on the Lord?  To wait on the Lord is freedom....as soaring like an eagle....imagine being as an eagle, taking flight in the sky that knows no limits.  Freedom.

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they small mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."  - Isaiah 41:31