Precious Moments

“Surely your goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life……”. 

Psalms 23:6

I think it’s safe to say that many of us are pretty familiar with the twenty-third chapter of Psalms.  It’s often read at gravesides when loved ones say their final goodbyes, and also recited during storms of all types, both natural and man-made.
Although the Psalm is only 6 verses long compared to the 178 written in Psalm 139, the words paint a picture that vividly speaks to many hearts, including my own.
Recently my husband and I took time away to see and experience a quieter part of our country.  We had hoped to wind down, read neglected books, and sleep in.  Focusing on our thirty-second year of marriage, reconnecting to one another, and disconnecting from our frantic pace of life were our only goals.
It took us a few days and missteps, but we were able to put aside utility bills, doctor’s appointments, and long work shifts to settle into a “play it by ear” vacation.
Nearing the end of our retreat from reality, we rented a home in the country that was surrounded by corn fields and offered the songs of birds I have never heard. Our country retreat home was quite a contrast from our home in the suburbs of the Windy City.
The owners of this rental have a sweet pup named Precious. She is a young Australian sheepdog that we fell instantly in love with. To be honest, we considered kidnapping her, but our Christian faith and concern for the young children who called her their pet prevented us from committing this federal crime.   This sweet and furry-faced canine taught me, how our Great God loves us. Actually, she reminded me of this.

  …”I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”    

Ephesians 3:17-19

I have read that the words “follow me” as they were written in Psalms, are better translated as chasing or nipping at the heels.  This explanation is much more active, purposeful, and personal than the word “follow.”
Back to that sweet young dog “Precious.” This furry friend quickly became the highlight of our stay in Tennessee.  As soon as her family would leave for their day of activities she would come out to our porch to greet us with a smile and a very busy wagging tail.  Quickly she was down on her back for a tummy rub.  She would repeat the venture from her home, each time she saw us return from a day of sightseeing.  When we were just sitting on the porch for an afternoon, she would stay with us nudging us occasionally and reminding us she was there and needed attention.
Toward the end of our trip,  we took a walk around the sprawling property and she followed us each step of the way.  Here is what sparked this blog.  Precious didn’t actually follow us, she ran in front of us, lay on her back, and wouldn’t move until we gave her some attention. This activity was repeated again and again.  My takeaway from this adventure was this is what God has to do with me so often.  He chases, nips at my heels, and does whatever He needs, to get my attention, to look up at Him and behold Him and His presence.   He wants me to be more than just observant of my surroundings, but to live in the wonder of who He is and what He has done and continues to do in my life.  Precious nearly tripped me a couple of times,  I have seen God do that with me too in a variety of ways, to get my attention; to remind me of his love and his provision. Have you been nearly tripped recently?
In the book of John, Jesus clearly teaches that if we are to bear any fruit, we must abide in Him.

“Abide in me, and I in you.  As the vine can not bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide inmate.  I am the vine, you are the branches.  Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 14: 4-5.

I am not sure about you, but abiding for me means keeping my agenda at the back door and keeping God’s at the front.  I need to cover the canvas of my mind with His Word and listen for his voice that directs my steps. I don’t want to be so oblivious of His presence that He has to nearly trip me to get my attention. Rather I want to see Him and worship Him at all times, in all seasons.
Family, next time you see a sweet pooch, let him remind you of the One who loves you most!
Blessings, Karen

PS

My favorite book explaining Psalms 23 is ” A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23″ by W. Phillip Keller. He writes knowledgeably and beautifully as one who was once a shepherd himself.