Oh my sweet Lizzy. That first month with a little dog in the house - one with a nervous bladder because she had been mistreated - was not a good month to say the least. Aaron was gone the whole month training to deploy, which made tensions high. Learning to be completely responsible for another living being was difficult for me... especially when I found myself scrubbing carpet more often than not. I almost changed my mind about that little dog in the beginning, but by the end of the month, her company was something on which I relied.
I can't imagine going through Aaron's deployment without Lizzy's companionship. That nervous little dog has completely stolen my heart :-) In fact, everybody loves her! My grandmother even scolded Aaron for coming to visit without bringing her granddaughter... and she was talking about Lizzy, not me!! My mama keeps a bowl ready for when Lizzy comes to over, and my daddy can't wait for her to jump into his lap. Her daddy spoils her the most, though. There is something so cute about how they both fall asleep in his chair.
We have adopted three other abandoned dogs, and each new pet comes with challenges. One ate out of the trash can for a while and was scared of everyone, one likes to roam too much, and one chews up everything! However, I highly recommend to everyone to adopt a pet. Take the time to nurture your pet and teach them how to behave, and you will reap the rewards of a loving companion. My scared trash-eater is now loving and gentle to adults (he's still terrified of kids), my wanderer loves curling up on her chair and getting her picture made, and my chewer (who still chews, but I've just taken away anything she can damage) is the sweetest puppy who just craves loving attention.
I am so thankful for my pets.
The Blessing of an Active Father
In today's society, so many children are growing up without a good father figure. As children of God, we have a wonderful Father who loves us unconditionally and is always by our side. Fortunately, I also have a wonderful earthly father. My daddy not only taught me to shoot a jumpshot and dribble left handed, but he also went to every one of my basketball games for 6 years- JV and Varsity. He understands me more than most dads would, he listens when I need a helpful ear, and he tells me I'm beautiful like I am still five years old in pigtails.
Most of all, I am thankful my daddy is a man who stands out in this society. 1 John 3:18 says, "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." My daddy has practiced this verse my whole life. He has always stood up for Jesus and lived the way Jesus would want him to live, even when he was the only one. My daddy doesn't have to talk about God for people to know he's a Christian. He doesn't have to carry a Bible around and read scripture for those around him to know he is different and respect him for it. He doesn't have to tell them how to live like Jesus... He shows them. Sometimes, my daddy's faithfulness means he gets left out of worldly "fun." Some people are uncomfortable around him because he doesn't drink, smoke, or carry on. His faithfulness, whether these people realize it or not, makes them conscious of the fact that God would not approve of their actions.
Matthew 5: 14-16 says, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
I am so thankful for my daddy. I love him so much!
Most of all, I am thankful my daddy is a man who stands out in this society. 1 John 3:18 says, "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." My daddy has practiced this verse my whole life. He has always stood up for Jesus and lived the way Jesus would want him to live, even when he was the only one. My daddy doesn't have to talk about God for people to know he's a Christian. He doesn't have to carry a Bible around and read scripture for those around him to know he is different and respect him for it. He doesn't have to tell them how to live like Jesus... He shows them. Sometimes, my daddy's faithfulness means he gets left out of worldly "fun." Some people are uncomfortable around him because he doesn't drink, smoke, or carry on. His faithfulness, whether these people realize it or not, makes them conscious of the fact that God would not approve of their actions.
Matthew 5: 14-16 says, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
I am so thankful for my daddy. I love him so much!
The Blessing of a Mom and Friend
For years, I've turned to my mama when things were going wrong. I always knew that she'd be there for me no matter what because she was my mom. She's been there for me every day of my life, a steadfast rock. Sometimes, her constant presence and love has made me neglect to think that not everyone has what I have. Not everyone has a caring mother to whom he or she can turn. Not everyone has memories of family dinners, even if it's just pizza or chicken fingers and mac-n-cheese, especially not family dinners several times a week. Not everyone remembers a clean house - except my room, of course - and clean clothes every day. Not everyone has a mom who stays up at midnight to wash a basketball or cheerleading uniform that needs to be clean for the next day like mine did time and time again, for which I never even said, "Thank you." How ungrateful I was as a teenager, complaining that my mom was in my business and telling me to clean my room, when other teens would have given everything for a mom at all, especially one who cares about their happiness and well-being.
My blessing goes even further. My mama is my friend, and I wish so badly to be there for her when she needs me just like she has always done for me. She deserves that and so much more. I hope the day never comes when she needs me to take care of her daily because I know she wouldn't want that, but I would happily be there and do whatever she needed. After all that I've put her through, I know I wouldn't be here without her dropping everything and running to my rescue. I love you, Mama. I hope you know that.
My blessing goes even further. My mama is my friend, and I wish so badly to be there for her when she needs me just like she has always done for me. She deserves that and so much more. I hope the day never comes when she needs me to take care of her daily because I know she wouldn't want that, but I would happily be there and do whatever she needed. After all that I've put her through, I know I wouldn't be here without her dropping everything and running to my rescue. I love you, Mama. I hope you know that.
The Blessing of a Supportive Spouse
This Thanksgiving season, I want to first give thanks for my wonderful husband. While my family is stuck with me by blood, my husband has chosen to walk with me hand in hand through the ups and downs of this journey. His love for me is so obvious (most days, anyway) that I believe one would have to be blind to not see it. Many people claim to love their spouse, but I don't believe many men show that love like my husband does. He even washes dishes and clothes occasionally!! While I am so thankful for his love, most of all I am thankful for his whole-hearted support. I've struggled since our marriage to find God's plan for me as both a wife and a career woman. When we got married, I felt that I couldn't be both. I chose to be a wife. However, I quickly realized that being a wife -- as wonderful as it is -- was not the sole purpose for which God intended me. I've struggled to figure out His plan on my own and make something fit my life, my schedule, my finances... nothing seemed to work. Through it all, my husband has supported my pursuit of whatever goal I had at the time. His wish is for me to be happy and fulfilled. How wonderful is that??? Now, as I embark on my writing career, I wonder if I would have ever had the courage to do this were it not for his support.
The following poem is one of my favorites (I just wish I'd written it!). It was printed in our wedding program because this is how I always wanted to love and be loved in return. I am so blessed to have found this type of love!!
"How do I love thee?" by Elizabeth B. Browning
"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death."
I love you, Aaron.
The following poem is one of my favorites (I just wish I'd written it!). It was printed in our wedding program because this is how I always wanted to love and be loved in return. I am so blessed to have found this type of love!!
"How do I love thee?" by Elizabeth B. Browning
"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death."
I love you, Aaron.
Made to Last Forever
In starting a new journey, one might look ahead as though today is "the first day of the rest of your life." This writer says we shouldn't do that. Instead, we should live each day as if it were our last. How different are the first day and the last day of a journey! The first day is spent making plans of where to go and how to get there, packing bags of items needed along the way, and anticipating the fun that lies ahead. The last days are ones for reflection and completion: realizing what is most important and doing that.
I want to spend my last day with my family, the people I love more than anything on this earth. I want to feel that I have done my best, that I have used what God gave me, that I focused on the important things that were made to last forever instead of building on to my house, putting in new floors, canning tomatoes, reaching my Avon sales goal, needing to lose ten pounds.
The question to consider at the end of the devotion today is this: "Since I was made to last forever, what is the one thing I should stop doing and the one thing I should start doing today?" In my Avon business, we are told to talk to at least 3 new people each day about buying or selling Avon. What if I used that Power of Three to talk about Jesus instead of makeup?
I want to spend my last day with my family, the people I love more than anything on this earth. I want to feel that I have done my best, that I have used what God gave me, that I focused on the important things that were made to last forever instead of building on to my house, putting in new floors, canning tomatoes, reaching my Avon sales goal, needing to lose ten pounds.
The question to consider at the end of the devotion today is this: "Since I was made to last forever, what is the one thing I should stop doing and the one thing I should start doing today?" In my Avon business, we are told to talk to at least 3 new people each day about buying or selling Avon. What if I used that Power of Three to talk about Jesus instead of makeup?
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