Lessons learnt from the passing of our family pet

 “A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” - Josh Billings

Sadly, we had to say goodbye to our family Labrador last week. Bella was 15 years old and had certainly lived a long and good life. In her earlier years she was such an energetic and busy dog, getting up to the usual dog-mischief when she was allowed. She watched all our boys grow up and loved to play with them when they were able to spend time with her. She travelled with us, as we moved 3 times, and was a constant presence in our lives.

As we get used to the emptiness that Bella's death has left in our home, I am struck by a few things that I hope we cherish forever. 

1. She was incredibly loyal - pets are such loyal friends to humans (certainly more than we are).

2. She was forgiving - you can be cross with your pet for a moment, but very soon, they come back to you as if nothing has happened.

3. She was happy almost all the time - the constant wag of the tail told us that she was content with her lot in life. A little food, shelter and love, was all she needed.

4. She loved company - Labrador's love to be around people and she used to lie down or sit wherever she knew someone would have to walk over her or around her :)

5. She was friendly to 99% of people - her capacity to accept people was truly overwhelming. If she didn't get along with someone, it was usually an indication that something was 'up' with the human and not her. 

We will miss her but are grateful for all the years we got to enjoy life with her. To all of you who have ever lost a pet, I am sure you understand. God bless. 

“Heaven goes by favour. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.” - Mark Twain

“I care not for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.” - Abraham Lincoln

Living in Grace

D3LM3

P.S. - The photo is from the internet 

The place of honour

“It is better to deserve honours and not have them than to have them and not deserve them.” - Mark Twain

As you read this quote, think on it in line with the following challenge from Jesus:

Luke 14:7-10 - When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honour, he told them a parable. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honour, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, 'Give this person your place,' and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place.

But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honoured in the presence of all who sit at the table with you.

Is there a clear message in this for us as individuals or even as communities?

Are we as 'the church' also guilty of this in some way?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Avoiding the inevitable?

We would do well to remember that every scripture passage was written in a time and context. So, when our friend Solomon is musing about various things we need to reflect on what is happening in the world about 3000 years ago. What do you think is happening in his world when you read these words?

"Since no one knows the future who can tell someone else what is to come? As no one has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has power over the time of their death. As no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it.

All this I saw, as I applied my mind to everything done under the sun. There is a time when a man lords it over others to his own hurt. Then too, I saw the wicked buried—those who used to come and go from the holy place and receive praise in the city where they did this. This too is meaningless." - Ecclesiastes 8:7-10

There were 2 points that I found interesting:

1. None of us knows what will happen in the future, so we can't tell others what is to come. We need to entrust our time and lives into God's hands.

2. We can't contain the wind (although we can now harness it) - and so none of us can stop our own death. What we can do is prepare ourselves as much as possible and then live our lives to the fullest.

“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” - J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
― Mark Twain

Living in Grace

D3LM3

No wood for the fire

Have you ever gone to make a fire and suddenly realised you have run out of wood? It's a little frustrating to say the least. The obvious reality is this: no wood or fuel = no fire. It's as simply as that! So, this is exactly the point of today's proverbs from chapter 26. The way we speak about others can be like fuel on a fire.

"Without wood a fire goes out;
    without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
    so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
    they go down to the inmost parts.

Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware
    are fervent^[a] lips with an evil heart.
Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,
    but in their hearts they harbour deceit.
Though their speech is charming, do not believe them,
    for seven abominations fill their hearts." - Proverbs 26: 20-25

I am challenged to think before I speak and to ask myself if my conversation is helping in a situation or just adding fuel to the fire.

"What you don't see with your eyes, don't witness with your mouth." - Jewish Proverb"He gossips habitually; he lacks the common wisdom to keep still that deadly enemy of man, his own tongue" - Mark Twain

What do you feel?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Courage is not the absence of fear

"Courage is not the absence of fear; it is acting in spite of it!" - Mark Twain is thought to have written these words, which have in turn inspired millions of ordinary people to do amazing things. This quote has meant a lot to me over the years, because I often feel as if I am fighting 'real' fears in my mind.

Take this blog as an example - the first time I began to pen some words, which I knew would be open for public scrutiny, I felt my heart pounding and I nearly didn't get passed the first entry. Well, over 2400 posts later, I am still grateful that God prompted me to deal with my 'fear' and to continue in his strength.

The other relevant example is of publishing my first book. I remember having a real wrestling match with myself, agonising over the writing of Living Oceans Apart. In the end, God gave me a specific scripture verse to help me overcome my initial fear, but I still needed to trust in his promptings. Again, I am thankful that God gave me those initial doses of courage, as it has given me the confidence to carry on writing and countless other blessings.

So, here is the challenge for us all. What are you afraid of at the moment? Is God moving you into a particular place or direction and you are feeling fearful? Ask God to give you his courage and the ability to take a step in faith. You may still feel a little afraid, but the presence of Christ will give you the extra courage you need to proceed. Go in Jesus name!

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Thank you so much for all the kind words and support for my latest book 'Living in Grace', which is a collection of daily devotions. If you would like a copy please go to the website to order or get them from the Church office. God Bless you.