My Dog and my God

I decided to retreat from my busy day after dinner tonight. I laid on the floor in the living room and my Bassett-mix hound, Greta, quickly took to my side. Her big paw tapped my face, urging me to pet her.

I scratched her neck, scratched her belly, and noticed how saggy her gut is now that she’s 11. My perspective is so different from down here, I thought.

She knew I needed to relax tonight after a busy day, or did she? More likely, she needed me to relax for her.

So, I decided to be fully present with her for 10 minutes…rub her, watch her, talk to her and tell her how much I love her. (I tell her how much I love her quite a bit; her best days are behind her). I reflect upon how she told me she needed me to pay attention to her before I agreed to rest on the floor by her side: She followed me around the kitchen for about 15 minutes as I was cleaning up the dinner dishes; and as I checked my phone, she stood at my feet and whined.

And now as I lay here, she contently snuggles her head next to mine and tucks her head into her chest. I feel like we are two puppies in a blanket-lined basket.

It occurred to me that the Holy Spirit nudges me in similar ways. First, He will make his presence known as I go through my day. As I think of other things to do, other things to think about, He reminds me of what I should be thinking about, should be doing. Ignore those nudges, those subtle thoughts, and the next thing I know it’s more of holy whine. It’s only when I fully attend to Him and only Him is he satisfied. Our God deserves so much more than my reluctance.

When I arose from my snuggle time with Greta, being fully present with her, my mind had fewer thoughts, my chest felt more relaxed, a thought about how I was grateful for her need tonight, though I needed her more in that moment than she needed me.

How often it is that when our minds are too busy and we are caught up in doing, we do not have our mind set on the Holy Spirit. We miss out on peace, calm, being centered. May we desire Him more than he desires us. May we always seek what He seeks. May we forever be in this alignment.

Amen.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. – Romans 8:5-6 NIV