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