We have this one year old dog that can not seem to get enough of our attention. If we sit down she comes and sits beside us and nudges us with her nose so that we pet her or pay attention to her. She will even try to climb on my husband's lap. She is insatiable in her desire to receive attention. If you just rest your hand on her, she will wiggle around, I think to mimic petting, so that she has a sense of being paid attention to.
Of course being a dog lover, my husband, in particularly, loves the attention he gets from the dog wanting his attention. The love relationship is definitely two way for them. When I think of this dog, I pretty well think of the adoration and great need she has of being in a connecting relationship with her masters.
The link between our dog and my spiritual life is pretty amazing. Billy Graham says: "Sit at the feet of Jesus more often." Sitting at Jesus' feet requires attentiveness to His presence and a desire to be in intimate contact with Him. It requires leaving other distractions behind and focusing on the one I both want to adore, and the one who will gladly pour himself into me. Of course the problem I have with leaving distractions is that at times I simply do not put my adoration of the Lord into action by dropping everything to be with Him. I can too readily relate to the story of Mary and Martha where Martha is busy, distracted and frustrated with the seeming laziness of Mary who is disregarding responsibility and simply sitting at the feet of Jesus. The pressure I feel to provide food, hospitality and orderliness to those around me is big in my mind. The pressure is like an overly full balloon in the process of being blown up, the risk of explosion is pretty high. Fortunately, equally, the inner voice that says, sit down, enjoy the LORD's company, take in His teaching in a non-rushed posture and state of mind calls me to alter my living patterns.
The call is powerful and compelling. When I heed that call I find peace, rest, refreshment, easing of my soul and renewal for my mind and body. Sitting, in adoration, with an eagerness to listen and a willingness to take in and live out the wise counsel of the Lord, is a place and posture of blessing. May I take the example of my dog to heart daily and simply spend time in attentiveness to and adoration of my master and Lord.
The link between our dog and my spiritual life is pretty amazing. Billy Graham says: "Sit at the feet of Jesus more often." Sitting at Jesus' feet requires attentiveness to His presence and a desire to be in intimate contact with Him. It requires leaving other distractions behind and focusing on the one I both want to adore, and the one who will gladly pour himself into me. Of course the problem I have with leaving distractions is that at times I simply do not put my adoration of the Lord into action by dropping everything to be with Him. I can too readily relate to the story of Mary and Martha where Martha is busy, distracted and frustrated with the seeming laziness of Mary who is disregarding responsibility and simply sitting at the feet of Jesus. The pressure I feel to provide food, hospitality and orderliness to those around me is big in my mind. The pressure is like an overly full balloon in the process of being blown up, the risk of explosion is pretty high. Fortunately, equally, the inner voice that says, sit down, enjoy the LORD's company, take in His teaching in a non-rushed posture and state of mind calls me to alter my living patterns.
The call is powerful and compelling. When I heed that call I find peace, rest, refreshment, easing of my soul and renewal for my mind and body. Sitting, in adoration, with an eagerness to listen and a willingness to take in and live out the wise counsel of the Lord, is a place and posture of blessing. May I take the example of my dog to heart daily and simply spend time in attentiveness to and adoration of my master and Lord.
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