Self Destructing

We have two dogs.  One, Cassie is an older, settled half Husky, half Golden Retriever.  She is beautiful, calm, and well settled.  She loves her family, judging by the greetings we receive when we come home. She is a good girl, well settled and easy to manage.  The other, Koffie, is a three year old black Labrador Retriever.  She seems to love her family too.   She is an attention hog who is quite jealous. If the old dog is getting attention, she will nose her way in to ensure she isn't forgotten.  She follows us when we move about the house.   She even waits outside the bathroom door when someone is in there.  She can not seem to handle separation from us very well.  All of this is fairly manageable when we are home, but if we are not home we run into problems with her. If left alone and feeling neglected she will eat something of ours like shoes, books,  foot stools or last month, the pièce de résistance, the sofa.
We have found that she can handle herself at home without people until about 5:00 p.m.  After 5:00p.m. she seems to become uncomfortable and not quite know what to do with herself.   This is when she decides to entertain herself with whatever is at hand to chew, toss around or mangle.   It does not seem to cross her mind to just sit at the window and wait for us.  She seems to have an inner drive to fill the void in her life with something, and that something is typically destructive.  When we come home, she has no shame, only an exuberant joy that we are again present and spending time with her.
Some major changes have occurred in our home to work around the dog's behavioural quirks.  Both dogs now have the pleasure of staying in the laundry room while we are away.  Fortunately, Koffie has not figured out how to eat the washer and dryer yet.   We are also, very belatedly, training them to settle in a cage which is intended to become a secure home to them, a safe place to go when they find themselves uncomfortable.
Unfortunately, at times I see myself in this young dog.   When God gives me too much latitude, I can get myself into trouble. If I am not close to Him I get uncomfortable and do not quite know what to do with myself.   Sometimes I bury myself in frenzied activity that only moves me further away from the nearness I desire. I know that the best thing to do is sit, focus on God and wait patiently and attentively until I perceive God's presence.  At times though, I admit, I have a hard time settling down.  It is as if there is an inner drive in me to fill the void in me which is meant to be filled only by God. 
I thank God that He steps in and helps me live with  more effective boundaries than I may implement on myself.  He gives me still time, often in the middle of the night, to focus on Him and calm my heart.   He helps me see the destructiveness of an overly busy life.  He knows how to give me the space for stillness and the balance of His presence so that I do not self destruct.  
I praise the Lord for His wisdom, attentiveness, guidance and patience in steering me towards a life style that shows His influence in my life.
In quietness and confidence is your strength.  Isa. 30:15