Goldyn is such a contented creature of the heart. After arriving in our home about seven years ago, he has found his place. A former stray and dog pound occupier, he's now at home in our yard, our couch, and at times upon my lap. Lately, he seems to enjoy the pleasure of being laid out on his back. He almost beckons anyone passing by to come and scratch his belly. Peace pervades his mood.
Of course, he didn't start out like that. He was a feisty, nontrusting pup, who thought he needed to be in charge. He growled over his bowl of food or treats, unsure if they were really his. He tugged at a dog leash in a wild way, unsure of how to walk and run with one. He chewed and bit so many things, I gave up hope at times. Especially, when my leg calf became the thing he'd try! Yet, little by little, we seemed to figure each other out.
He came to trust his master. I learned to understand his nature. I took time and practiced with him, finding that he caught on quickly when I knew what I should do. He found himself in a relationship, a family. No longer was he on the streets. He had a place, a yard, a home, and one who was his master. His spirit calmed, his restless aggravation seemed to cease. He became our good ol' Goldy boy.
Today, this early Christmas morn, I'm thankful that I too have peace. I realized that my year has in many ways been a wild ride of despair, hurt, and trial. Circumstances of life had seemed to be against me. But that is not where my peace is found. Rather, it is found when I put my trust in Christ, the One who didn't think of Himself so highly that he couldn't put on human skin.
It's interesting that the Creator of all this world and mankind found no welcome in the very things and people that He created. I wonder why that is. Perhaps, we're so caught up in our situations of life, we fail to see the Life. Jesus freely offers us His love, His grace and truth. That's all He came to do. God entered the chaos of this world to give us hope and peace. He came to show that He's enough, He doesn't need your good intentions or your works, He only wants your heart. He wants your trust. Intimacy with God is ours by just receiving and accepting . . .
That's when you find, like Goldyn, such contentment. Your needs are taken care of regardless of how the circumstances appear. You have the Faithful Master. You have no need of worry, you can spend your days with "tail a wagging!" God plus nothing equals everything . . .
Of course, he didn't start out like that. He was a feisty, nontrusting pup, who thought he needed to be in charge. He growled over his bowl of food or treats, unsure if they were really his. He tugged at a dog leash in a wild way, unsure of how to walk and run with one. He chewed and bit so many things, I gave up hope at times. Especially, when my leg calf became the thing he'd try! Yet, little by little, we seemed to figure each other out.
He came to trust his master. I learned to understand his nature. I took time and practiced with him, finding that he caught on quickly when I knew what I should do. He found himself in a relationship, a family. No longer was he on the streets. He had a place, a yard, a home, and one who was his master. His spirit calmed, his restless aggravation seemed to cease. He became our good ol' Goldy boy.
Today, this early Christmas morn, I'm thankful that I too have peace. I realized that my year has in many ways been a wild ride of despair, hurt, and trial. Circumstances of life had seemed to be against me. But that is not where my peace is found. Rather, it is found when I put my trust in Christ, the One who didn't think of Himself so highly that he couldn't put on human skin.
It's interesting that the Creator of all this world and mankind found no welcome in the very things and people that He created. I wonder why that is. Perhaps, we're so caught up in our situations of life, we fail to see the Life. Jesus freely offers us His love, His grace and truth. That's all He came to do. God entered the chaos of this world to give us hope and peace. He came to show that He's enough, He doesn't need your good intentions or your works, He only wants your heart. He wants your trust. Intimacy with God is ours by just receiving and accepting . . .
That's when you find, like Goldyn, such contentment. Your needs are taken care of regardless of how the circumstances appear. You have the Faithful Master. You have no need of worry, you can spend your days with "tail a wagging!" God plus nothing equals everything . . .
"It may not seem to our consciousness that any prayers are answered, or any promises fulfilled, but what of that? Behind every prayer and behind every promise, there is God,--the bare God, if I may so express it; and, if He exists at all, we must know He must be enough. . . the real God, behind all the seemings, and my heart had entered into its rest. I had discovered that nothing else really matters,--neither creeds, nor ceremonies, nor doctrines, nor dogmas. GOD IS; GOD IS UNSELFISH; AND GOD IS ENOUGH!"
(Hannah Whitall Smith, 1832-1911)
Comments
Post a Comment