Lessons From Chip, the Wonder Dog
His face wags from side to side with delight as his fluffy, feathered-like tail swishes heart-stirring greetings to you at the door. Could there be any doubt that he adores you? He is Chip. Lovingly referred to as the “Wonder Dog” and the third bear cub in this almost-all-male household.
Enthusiastically, he leaps and bounds across the family room to bring you his treasured toy. Just waiting for you to throw it again as he dances air-bound to grab the prize and lay it at your feet. All to do it once again.
He seems to have an internal clock which we humans seem to lack. Come Friday night, even before you crouch on the bottom stair to tie your shoes, he prances round the kitchen. Somewhere deep within, he is aware that this is “Pizza Night.” And he gets to ride with you in the car. His anticipating footsteps send him to the door only to turn around and find you are still tying your shoes on that bottom stair. So he waits, patiently.
Are you upstairs on the computer? Is there a family gathering in the loft area bedecked with electronic gadgets? He noses a narrow pathway through the colliding office chairs.
He just wants to be where you are.
I’ve observed our faithful companions’ loyal behavior and it has spoken to my heart about my affections for our Lord.
Do I dance with glee and delight myself in the Lord’s presence when I hear Him knocking at my heart’s door?
Do I enthusiastically leap from my distractions to bring my treasures to Him in prayer? Family concerns, friends’ needs, hopes, dreams, a longing to laugh and play along life’s adventures with Him?
Is my internal clock ticking down the time until I get to slip away in quiet solitude with Him? Am I looking for the signs that He is tying His shoelaces (that He is preparing a time for me)?
Am I content just to be with Him? Just for the ride? Not for a reward at the end?
Is your heart tingling like mine? What am I waiting for? It’s time to dance and play, to rejoice and rest with my King and God.
“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.”
Psalm 63:1-5 NIV
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What a beautiful dog and a wonderful analogy. Blessings to you this day.
Who knew one little dog could impart so much wisdom?
And Janis, I love your post below about learning with the visually impaired student. God bless your generous heart!
This was a beautiful analogy and really brought your message home. I have a little dog and I could so relate to your stories of Chip. I pray that I will become more that way with God every day.
Blessings to you this WFW!
Yes, this was a great illustration.
What a beautiful dog.
Have a blessed day today♥
Oh he is beautiful…our pets teach us so much.
It is a wonder Moggie has not come to pull me to bed…..usually by this late I have had a visit, but I moved some furniture before so she is probably still captivated by that.
What a great dog!! And wonderful analogy. We can learn so much from our dogs!! Oh that we would yearn to stick close and closer still to our Master. 🙂 Have a great day!
Don’t you just LOVE when the Lord takes what is right in front of you and turns it into HIS words!? I LOVE that and this was just so neat! You’re right…we can learn much when we notice and look to the dogs! 🙂
Janis, have a blessed day!
peace,
lori
We can learn so much from our pets!!! Last week I wrote my post about what I was learning from my fish 🙂
Oh, how I LOVED this one!!
Chip is such a very sweet boy – I loved all the photos of him. My favorite might have been his face poking through in the computer room. “He just wants to be where you are.” That’s so true – that’s at least one of the main reasons I love dogs so much.
I got to spend some time with Marty on Sunday/Monday. I slept all night in my sons’ recliner – because Marty chose to sleep “smack dab” up against me. There was such a peace in my heart, feeling his warmth, hearing his breathing (snoring!!), and being able to hold him all night long.
Like you said, this reminded me of God. His warmth is with me all the time, His breath is as close as a prayer, and He is “smack dab” next to me no matter where I go. That gives me such an immeasurable sense of peace. Where can I go from His presence? Nowhere!
You’re right, Janis – it’s time to dance and play…
GOD BLESS!
Chip, this is Marty here. Liked your pictures a bunch! You’re a handsome guy! Do you think you could talk my people into pizza Friday night?? Or at least string cheese Tuesday? Keep loving your people, and keep pointing them to the Great Master!! Gotta go – got a ball to chase!
Great comparison and thoughts to ponder! Thank you.
Hi Everyone,
I so enjoyed your comments and the insight you added to my post.
Mildred~we think our dog is pretty cute, too. And lovable.
Dorie~so glad you found this post offered you opportunities to meditate on the Lord.
Michelle~I’m the one receiving all the blessings from working with my visually impaired student. I’m stretched and challenged each day, and always seeking the Lord for His guidance on how I can best meet this precious one’s needs. Glad you enjoyed the post.
Donna~the Lord teaches us so much from those around us as well as the pets He places in our lives. Praying we’ll all grow to spend time enthusiastically before the Lord.
Susan~glad you enjoyed the illustration.
Jane~that was a cute comment about your cat. I know Chip will sometimes heave a sigh on the steps when I’m up too late writing. “Like when are you going to bed?” he asks! They’re a blessing in our lives.
Mary~Yes, it is a journey and progress of learning to stick closer and closer to the One who loves us most–Our Master.
Lori~I do love when the Lord teaches me a lesson from what is happening in my life and surroundings.
Harter~I will have to get over and read what you learned from your fish.
Sharon~Thanks for coming over. Your time with Marty sounds precious. Almost like having a little one falling asleep on you. They are so cozy and loving. I really liked your insight about how this reminded you of God. “His breath is as close as a prayer.”
Thank you all for visiting. You blessed my day.
From My Heart to Yours,
Janis
I missed this post that has so much wisdom in it.
I can almost feel the fur in some of your photos.