Pray, and be prepared for the unexpected. "Hello, Lewis!"

Hello, Lewis!

You know how people glibly say, "God is all you need"? Well, sometimes we also need a warm body nearby. This time, I'm not just talking about the fine fellow who shares the house with me. Ever prayed and sought God's wisdom to find what's missing (or what to drop)? I did, a few weeks ago. Was I ever surprised by the answer to a dilemma I was facing.

Turns out there are a few things you should wait to do if you say yes to God's call to missions. My advice? Don't part with animals you love - until you have to. In prep for teaching this summer overseas, we left our dogs with a young family. By the time we got back from all the travels and moved into our new space, they were bonded.

Waiting for a walk

Our dogs got me up each morning and out the door, even during the cold and wet days of Seattle. I may not be very self-disciplined but I am a good pet owner: do they need to walk? Then we walk. With the doggies gone, I quit walking. Groan. Of course, I gained 10 lbs. this fall and winter. My appetite increased proportionately - what's that about?

I prayed. "Dear God, what on earth am I supposed to do?" (Walk, of course! But I couldn't get myself out the door.) "How can I get moving again?" And the answer seemed clear, though startling at this point of our transition.

We found Lewis last week, the perfect 8 year old poodle, same age as ours were. He's curled up beside me as I write. His family must have been fabulous: he's house-trained, doesn't mark, likes people and other dogs, and sleeps quietly in his kennel each night. He's not a fussy eater and is undemanding. He doesn't shed or dig holes or shred paper. He doesn't lick (= vital for taking him along; Muslims consider themselves unclean if licked by a dog.) He's delighted by our schedule: 2 walks a day ... AND he adores us, on top of everything.

What's not to like?

I am grateful for his doggie company and God's provision. It's totally unexpected: I didn't think I needed or wanted a dog in this transition time - but God knew exactly who should come into the household.

My energy level is rising, I've shed a few pounds, and my appetite is stabilizing. Plus Lewis has a good home. It works, all around.

How has God surprised you? Got a story to share?

Read more:
*For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all
who call upon you. Psalm 86:5 ESV

*I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches. I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word. Psalm 119:14-16 NLT

*The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made. Psalm 145:9 ESV

*Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Matthew 6:26 ESV

Moravian Prayer: Through the cycles of our lives, you have blessed us with sunshine, clouds, snow, wind, rain, warmth, and cold. For the beauties of the earth that are gifts from you, we thank you. Help us to be good stewards of your gifts. In Jesus' name. Amen.

The day the dog coughed

Ready to please

One of our funniest family moments came around the dinner table, when the dog coughed. Let me explain.

While pregnant with our children, I would develop a cough that lasted from about 4 months of gestation onward. I looked forward to the ends of pregnancy: my ribs and back muscles were seized up between the habitual coughing and rib-kicking that ended with the birth of the child.

Whether from that or another cause, each person in our family coughs. In the morning, we usually cough our way into the day. When there's in a long silence or we're intent on a lecture or conversation, we often catch ourselves relaxing our throats with a cough.

When the kids were growing up, we typically prayed "around the table" after dinner. W started, then the children from oldest to youngest would pray, and I'd wrap up. At some point of listening and waiting for our turn, each one of us would clear the throat in a cough.

We cracked up the day our poodle coughed, sitting politely at the foot of my chair. There was stunned silence, then we broke into laughter. Sweet Katy, always eager to fit in! Prayers were over. Probably, God chuckled with us.

We reproduce who we are

This morning I read Hebrews 1:In these last days [God] has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power

This is one of my favorite passages of scripture. Think of the poetic image of "the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his nature" (NIV). Don't you love that? Jesus exactly represents his Father. Want to know what God is like? What would He do if He were among us? Look at Jesus - the Son is the exact representation of God.

What characteristics and behaviors run in your family? What are you passing along to your children?

Families look alike

Are these good qualities of character and being? Worthy traits to be renewed from generation to generation? Kindness and truthfulness. Disciplined living. A bent towards the arts or athletics. A way of speaking or laughing with others.

Or are there patterns that need to be broken so that they are never again passed on? Abusive speech. Manipulation. Lying and stealing. Cheating or adultery. Devaluing the young or old.

When we are born into God's family, the traits of His nature begin to form our own character. Like most adopted children, we begin to take on the mannerisms of our Heavenly Father and his Family. He changes us into His image, forming in us a reflection of the Eldest Son, Jesus. How wonderful is that?

Read more:
*Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. Isaiah 1:8 ESV

*Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Hebrews 1:1-3 ESV

Lent Day 13: Thankful for waiting

Ziggy and Missy looked at me expectantly. They were ready to eat and I usually fed them at that time of morning. Their eyes followed me around the room and when I walked out the door to get a page from the printer, they got up to follow me. Tails wagging, they promised to please me any way I wanted, if only --

"C'mon, c'mon, you have the food and we are hungry. We always depend on you. Why are you not delivering?"

They were especially excited when I went into the conservatory to water the ferns. Their sleeping crate and feeding mat is out there so of course they expected breakfast. Disappointment, sorry!

"Here we go, come here," I called, drawing them back into the house. They came reluctantly and plopped themselves beside me, eyes open to every move. Waiting. Waiting.

I'd planned to go to the library on that winter cold day. I didn't want them shivering in the car while I worked. After that, I had an hour-long appointment which would have meant more sitting in a confined space. Their food was ready but they'd be enjoying it--and the run of the warm conservatory--while I was away. We'd go for a walk when I came back which they love. In the meantime, they had to wait even though they couldn't understand the reason.

I'm a people lover and a dog like-er. Sometimes  the two little black beasts who live at our house demonstrate the difference between God's supreme knowledge and our human hopes and aspirations. They know a lot but not what's on my mind.

I have made several requests to God over and over: health for our daughter, protection for a small church (which just closed), good work when studies are done, and ongoing pleas that God would intervene for friends and family who urgently need his touch.

Like the dogs who anxiously watch me move around, we see God at work and wonder why he isn't attending to our needs. We can't bribe him with good behavior or demand that he answer us. He knows so much more than we do, has every provision in hand, and his plan is perfect. I'm thankful today that we can trust the One who asks us to wait on Him. Waiting reminds us that he's in charge.

What make you fretful or impatient today? How can you release the timing and God's answer back to him?

Read more:
*For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe. Deuteronomy 10:17

*Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, 'Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man "Your sins are forgiven," or "Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk"? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.' Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, 'Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!'

And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, 'We've never seen anything like this before!'" Mark 2:8–12

*From him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Romans 11:36

Moravian Prayer: Almighty, omnipotent God, we adore you and we praise you. You inspire awe within us as we contemplate the magnificence of your creative ability joined with the splendor of your unconditional love for us, your creatures. What a glorious combination! Amen.

Dog days

Two weeks ago, a top poodle breeder gave me a 6 lb little bundle of energy, an adult white doggie. Today, I gave her back.

I really like our dog, a black toy poodle named Missy. She's laid back, loves to walk or run alongside the bike, and barks up a storm when someone comes to the door before plopping down at my feet. She loves men and boys - her favorite person at her home-before-us was a 17 year old boy. She's not really a kid's dog, though she loves when the Romanian Pentecostal kids chase her around the park on Monday nights. It's become a tradition - they show up with their parents: the women chat while the men play sports. So the kids are left to run around and make up their own games, including "Catch the Poodle." (Not a chance, Missy is a very quick and athletic 8-pound doggie!)

I thought a companion dog would be nice. But our new addition raced in nervous circles that distracted me from studies, had halitosis that almost knocked us over some mornings, and got carsick. I looked in the rearview mirror last week to see her doing a handstand on front paws, avoiding food returned as you-know-what. (Pull over, clean her seat, ugh.) She learned to walk on a leash, stuck to me like a shadow, and even tried to defend me Saturday by attacking my brother's dog. Luckily her jaws are so small she couldn't get a grip on his sturdy Jack Russell Terrier muscles.

It's been funny and fun to have another animal around. Seeing how God gave Sugar a marvelous personality and a unique temperament reminded me that he loves his creatures. Each of us is special in his sight. I won't miss the anxious pacing or the bad breath. But I wish Sugar well, wherever she ends up. Thanks to Joann for her generosity in giving and receiving back.

Read more:
*Even the sparrow has found a home,
        and the swallow a nest for herself,
        where she may have her young—
    a place near your altar,
        O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.  Psalm 84:3

*Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7 NIV