I would have never thought that being awakened at 2:30 in morning by two puppies needing to go out would change my view of how I live life. The normal, the mundane, the backdrop of our daily lives not to inspiring or uplifting, unless.
They are only 8 lbs. Clooney and 12 pounds Rosie respectively but run our lives as if they own Vilma, and me. Now 3 years old they have found ever changing ways to get us to do what they want. If it’s not right or interesting were not doing it that seems to be their code. Raw hide must be the right size and texture or it’s not worth their time. And oh by the way, it has to be new. No old rawhide for these ladies. They know I don’t know how, isn’t rawhide all the same, apparently not. We have several packages in our pantry of different brands shapes and flavors. Unless it right they won’t have anything to do with it. But when it’s right they will spend hours chewing until their exhausted.
Back to the 2:30 wake up call. Clooney usually stands at the end of the bed and makes a sound like someone clearing there throat. It’s a bark but muffled, you know like hello excuse me are you awake. Thankfully they apparently learned this on their own after being shuffled off to the back yard each night any time they moved. There’s nothing in writing but Vilma and I know when its our turn to let the puppy’s out if we get the late night call. They have taken over our king size bed, and sleep anywhere they want. Different positions under the cover, on top of the cover on the pillow or not. I have even seen them upside down paws in the air sound asleep. It changes from night to night. Do dogs have preferences, I think they do. They even snore the little one sounds like my dad, go figure.
I rolled out of bed and the puppies were up and looking towards the door. That’s the “sign” we need to go out. I distinctly remember saying “come on lets go outside” several times. No movement. I picked them up and sat them on the floor and said again “let’s go outside”. Still no response. I walked down the hallway to the back door opened the door and said loudly “come on lets go outside” It’s just me in the kitchen with the back door open and the puppies are no where in sight. In the past if they didn’t respond I just carried them to the back door while saying those words I don’t say anymore in my head, you know swearing!
I am up and it’s my turn so I walked back down the hall to the bedroom, the puppies were standing by the bed. Vilma sat up in bed and said very dramatically “honey you have to say it more enthusiastically”. I said Vilma its 2:30 in the morning and enthusiasm is asleep. Vilma got out of bed and enthusiastically began saying ” come on, let’s go, outside, outside, outside, come on”. I headed back down the hallway looked behind me and to my surprise the puppies coming down the hall almost running with excitement all in their little bodies. All of that effort and motivation just to heard two puppies to the back yard to go to the bathroom. This is their response for just about anything when it’s exciting, fulfills a need, or contributes to there wellbeing. The difference “enthusiasm” just that little bit of motivation that moves us and puppy’s forward in life.
We all have preferences and sometimes just need a little enthusiasm or motivation to get us moving forward to where we need to be. To avoid accidents, getting into trouble, or even messing up our lives. Often times its fear that stops me/us from moving forward or quashes or enthusiasm. It seems over the last few weeks the words “I don’t know” have become a consistent part of my vocabulary. Not knowing how to fix the problem we all encounter, finding the right job, or not losing the one we have, maintaining good health, completing an overwhelming task, or staying focused and committed to our goal and purpose in life. Afraid of not being enough, having enough, providing enough or doing enough.
Psychologist tell us it is fear and the subsequent anxiety associated with it that is one of the most debilitating challenges for all humans. It affects our thinking as well as our physiology. Numerous books have been and continue to be written on the subject. One of my favorites is Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer Harrison House Inc. 1995. Another is Unlimited Power The New Science of Personal Achievement by Anthony Robbins Simon and Schuster 1986. Truly useful information and direction yet in my experience and my family’s, the single most powerful resource for leadership, encouragement and direction is God’s Word.
I keep a note book with scriptures from Gods Word that I read to strengthen, encourage, and often times defend myself from stress, worry, and anxiety. A few of them are listed below,
2 Timothy, 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power, and love, and of a calm and well balanced mind and discipline and self control.
Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageas. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
John 14:Peace I leave with you, My own peace I now give and bequeath to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let it be afraid, stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed, and do not permit your selves to be fearful, and intimidated, and cowardly, and unsettled.
1 Peter 5:7 says casting the whole of your care, all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all, on Him; for He cares for you affectionately and cares about “you” watchfully.
Our two puppies trust Vilma and I for their wellbeing. They have learned that trust through their daily experience of their needs being met. That certainty that they are cared for and by following, will always be rewarded. Preferences or what they want can be satisfying and yet in the larger picture following brings the greater reward.
Vilma and I encourage you to trust and follow your Heavenly Fathers guidance and direction in all things both great and small. The road ahead will not always be clear, or the path without challenges, yet be confident that following and trusting in Jesus Christ always leads to reward. The normal, the mundane, and the backdrop of our daily lives not to inspiring or uplifting, unless….!
Proverbs 3 5-7
Lean on trust in and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight and understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him and He will direct and make straight and plain your path. Be not wise in your own eyes, reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn entirely away from evil.
May God bless your life as you pursue Him. May Gods love and kindness direct you as we are renewed and strengthened as he does a new thing in our lives, the journey to our new life is on foot, led by the Spirit and Gods Word, to serve Him, and others.
Dwight L. Carter Sr.
Tellthemyourstory.org
