I’ve always thought of dog lovers as being the type of people who love to be with dogs, who snuggle with dogs, and some who even want to have lots of dogs.
But I’ve discovered that there’s a different kind of dog lover, the one who will drop what they are doing to comfort a fearful dog.
Of course, some dog lovers are both types.
We have a dog because my husband and daughter are the first kind of dog lover.
However, with all the fireworks going off and the fear it induces in our dog, she is following me around and sitting at my feet.
She perceives me to be her protector; she perceives me to be the one who really loves her when she is afraid. I make her feel safe.
When a thunderstorm is on its way, I ask her, “Do you want to go outside?” in an excited voice, and I take her out with no fear. She knows that I am not afraid of the storm, and that makes her feel safe.
Last night the neighbors across the street started setting off fireworks.
I was in the basement, and I heard the dog going up and down the stairs to the second floor of our house a couple of times. She had already tried dog-lover daddy and dog-lover sister, but they did not make her feel safe.
I picked up her approximately 25 pound doggie self and carried her, like a baby, outside to show her that there was nothing to be afraid of.
She did not agree.
She sat on my lap on the ground trembling, hiding her face in the crook of my arm, so I decided to bring her back inside because she wasn’t buying it.
I am the second kind of dog lover, and our dog knows it. She followed me to the basement today and is laying at my feet right now as I speak to you.
I wonder, how often do we as humans go after the warm, fuzzy love and acclaim of other humans, the human lovers of our lives?
And suddenly, something scares us and makes us tremble with fear. And they are not able to be enough.Β And then, and only then, do we realize that it was God who loved us the most all along.
- He protects us.
- He watches over us.
- And He is not afraid.
In Him we can feel safe because in Him we are safe.
Just to be clear, I’m not saying that I love our dog more than the rest of the family loves her. I’m just using this situation as a loose illustration of the faithfulness of God’s love for us.
He never has an off day. He will never tell us that He has no time for us or that we need to go ask someone else for love or attention or protection because He’s tired and needs a nap. He will never be too sick or too depressed or too busy or too any-number-of-other-things to listen to our cry for help.Β He will always be there for us.
So, like our dog, Lilly, has been doing with me, let’s follow Him around and lay at His feet in complete confidence that He has this thing figured out and under control, and we are safe as long as we are dwelling in His powerful, loving Presence.
Love the comparison!!! And what a cute companion π It’s true! We cling to God daily or desire His safety without knowing it!
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Thank you, T. R. Yes, she is, and yes, we do! May we dwell in His Presence more consciously every day! As a deer (or a doggie) pants for drinking water, may our souls long for Him and seek Him who alone can satisfy.
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Very true indeed! I really love this, its so true we need God more than ever! Thank you for sharing! God’s rich anointing be upon you always! β€
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Thank you, so much, Tammy!
Yes, we need Him and will need Him forever! I’m so glad we can trust Him!
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No problem my sister! Much love in Christ always! β€
Amen, so very true!
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β€ π
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This Weekend my car started smoking!
My daughter asleep in the back.
Bad traffic!
I managed to pull over to the side. I began to pray. Panic, confused, but God heard!
The situation was kept in check.
God knows how to protect His own. Ever faithful and ever true.
My favourite devotional yetπ I think its because of the doggy illustrations π
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Wow! Yes, the Lord was looking over you! He sees you, and He hears you! You were dwelling in the shelter of the Most High and abiding in the shadow of the Almighty! π
I’m so glad you like the devotion. Feel free to share it so it can help others.
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I shared on Twitter already π
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Thank you so much, Ifeoma!! β€ I really appreciate it!!
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A beautiful analogy. This makes me think of the song βTake me to the King.β It was the first time I visualized sitting at the feet of Jesus right now in present time. Up to that point, I had heard so many songs about the goodness, mercy, love, and all the other aspects of Christ but actually surfing at the feet of Jesus right now was so beautiful!!
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I don’t think I know that song; if it has anything to do with surfing, I’m sure I don’t know it! I’ll have to look it up.
Yes, when I was younger, I thought I couldn’t be at His feet like that until I die and go to heaven. But I was wrong! I’m so glad I was wrong!
π
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Surfing!!πππ No. ππ I meant sitting. π€£ The lyrics say. βTake me to the king. I donβt have much to bring. My heart is torn in pieces. Itβs my offering. Lay me at the throne. Leave me there alone. To gaze upon his glory and sing to him this song…β
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π
Those are such beautiful lyrics, Brittany! “Lay me at the throne. Leave me there alone. To gaze upon His glory and sing to him….”
Sometimes we wish we could have more peace, more awareness of His Presence, but we have an open invitation from Him to us as His born-again children to come before His throne of grace at any time. It’s not Him that has moved away from us, but we who have moved away from Him. He is always there for us. He doesn’t put us in the kennel and go to work for 12 hours. He’s ALWAYS there for us. Always.
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Beautiful (the dog, and the Story) our dog would always go “tell mom” if she needed anything. Or hide under her desk from storms and garbage trucks.
Trusting God that way is exactly what we should be doing!
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Thank you, Aryn!
Yes, it’s always been that way for me when we’ve had a dog; I’ve always been at home the most, and hence, have been the one most available for the dog to run to. I don’t remember ever having a dog, though, that was afraid of loud noises like this one is.
May the Lord help us stay close to Him and trust Him every day, not waiting for danger before we run to Him!
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Great analogy, Ruth! I often say that our dog teaches me daily about loyalty, dependence, surrender, etc. I’m the first kind of dog lover but I’m also the one she depends on when things get scary. So, thankful to be able to hide in the safety of His arms when I’m afraid! Blessings!
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Thanks, Deb!
You’re the best kind of dog lover, then, the first and the second combined! No wonder you learn these lessons from your dog on loyalty, dependence, and surrender! You are paying close attention!
Yes, I also am glad He welcomes us into the safety of His all-powerful and loving arms and invites us to dwell there!
Blessings to you, as well! π
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What a cutie! I love the comparison and yes, in Him I am always safe. Hence the reason why I love Proverbs 18:10. May God continue to bless and guide you.
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Thank you, Diana! Yes, the LORD’S name is a strong tower! May He bless you, as well!
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You’re utmost welcome, Ruth and it definitely is!
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Awww, how adorable! π Love this. π
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Thank you! I’m glad you liked it! π
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