Dog Day of Summer

I just got back inside from spending some quality time with my pup in the backyard (and no, the dog above is not mine). Honestly, romping around with a fuzzy four legger is fun! I love watching her skip around and flip her flouncy tail. She looks up at me with those enormous dark eyes…what’s not to love? What really caught my attention was her interest in a toad. She was so concentrated on the little guy. Where he hopped, she jumped back, startled, and bounced towards him. So badly did she want to play with it, it was all I could do to restrain her! Finally, I had to place him out of her reach-her jumps were getting a bit too close. Once she realized the toad was gone, she sniffed every single blade of grass it had come into contact with. The thought hit me-that is how we should be towards God. Her mix of fear and curiosity, desire to know and to follow was remarkable. After she was pooped out (the little fur bucket gets worn out easily in the heat), I held her in my arms and we watched the wildlife around us. Her sharp eyes closely followed butterflies; her credulous grin beamed up at me. The trust she placed in me was also astounding. If we could extrapolate these types of behaviors found in our loving animals to our own behaviors towards God, our relationship with our Father would be so much better! I am going to make it my goal to be like a child and like a pup towards the Lord-curious, trusting, honest, a little bit fearful, and absolutely loving.

This brings me to a letter I found earlier today. My mum brought up a box I had not seen in years. It was filled to the brim with colouring books, random papers, crayons, AWANAs handbooks, and stickers. Amongst the “random papers” I found a letter my much younger self had written to my first dog after she passed away. I was brought to tears by the emotion packed inside the page. I was proud of myself for the words I wrote-I think I knew myself better then than I do now. The blunt honesty of children is so amazing. Today, I feel like I complicate way too many things in my life. I do not just feel something, I feel many things. When I set goals, there is no two-step solution to reaching the end. I have so many criteria for everything. This letter brought me back to the simpler ways in which I used to function. Maybe I’ll let that influence my everyday ways as well…here is the letter. (To explain-Tweety was a canary we had who passed away shortly before my dog.) I hope you all enjoy and have a dog day :)

“Dear Tana,

I love you so much. I really miss you two. Can you please watch over me and everyone you think needs a guardian angel? You would be one of the best guardian angels anyone could ask for. I hope that you’re happy and comfortable in your new home. You are the reason why I’m going to do good things so I can go to Heaven and see you. What are you going to come back as? I hope it’s a cat that roams around dad’s house. Sorry dad buried you with Tweety. It must be annoying, but at least the whole gang in Heaven is having fun! Please put your wonderful look that you had in your eyes in the stuffed animal I call Tana. I really love you so much and can’t wait to meet up with you and the gang in Heaven. It must be a beautiful place with all of you guys there! Tana, I’m not scared to die anymore, so whenever you need me, I’m willing to come. I love you! Tell everyone hi!”

I signed with “Love” and my name, PLUS five hearts and “I love you so much!”. This makes me want to pray so simply, so honestly, so direct. And it makes me ache for the child I was. I only hope I can raise my children (someday) to be as honest and loving as I was, and hopefully still can be.