Funny face

We're adopting Spike next weekend. He has the goofiest face, which caught my eye. He's some kind of a 12 lb terrier-poodle mix. Small but spunky, they say. Hence the name "Spike!"

A pet shelter volunteer found him, ears infected, hair utterly matted, still friendly, cheerful wandering a supermarket parking lot. The vet, who thought Spike was about 3-4 years old, shaved him to razor-burn closeness for an exam, leaving an odd patchwork of hair on head and body. The vet's assistant cleaned the mess in Spike's ears and scraped Spike's teeth while the dog was under anesthesia. A local groomer tried to trim what was left into some semblance of evenness. Recently abandoned, with his ears healing and hair growing in, Spike is a happy and outgoing companion who likes to be around people. Housetrained, too. The foster family lives pretty far away. We have a busy week ahead so we're waiting to brave the drive. We'll pick him up a week Saturday, when I'll be around to rehome and train him.

Spike's coming to a family with boundaries as well as the offer of companionship. He might not always like the training process as he becomes a part of our home. Meanwhile, I'm really excited to meet him and his foster lady. He's temporarily cared for, so I'm sure I'm more anxious than he is about meeting. Generous strangers on Freecycle and Craigslist donated most of the supplies, including an unopened $17 bag of organic dog food. That may be a gourmet switch from foraging for his next meal!

I was thinking about our own funny faces. People may look at us and wonder what made us like we are. They might doubt that we have anything that can benefit them. Occasionally when a fuss is made over us, some might turn aside to wonder, "What's so great about them?"

Yet our God is pleased with us. He shelters us. Sometimes he lets us wait for a comfortable home or for answered prayers. It might seem he is not providing for us. His plan is in place, though. Work is just around the corner. There will be food for supper. The doctor will make a diagnosis. God knows how badly we need that friendship, healing, help with the children, financial counsel, or how to meet the other requests we make of him.

I sometimes wonder how God hovers over us with his love, tenderly guiding behind the scenes to the perfect time and place where prayers are answered. If we could only trust his omnipotence - that power than can move heaven and earth to accomplish his purposes. Maybe then our days would be filled with rest and confidence instead of well as nervous work and striving.

What would your name be, if someone met you for the first time?
 
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*To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in You. Let me not be ashamed; let not my enemies triumph over me. Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.
        
Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.  Psalm 25:1-5 NKJV

*Blessed is the [hu]man who finds wisdom, the [hu]man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. Proverbs 3:13-18 NIV


*And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Philippians 4:19-20 NIV