A while back I wrote about a video series that we're going through with our home group. In it, they talked about God giving us over to our own stubborn desires in order to help draw us back to Him (Ps. 81).
I think I've found my latest version of this- our new dog. And yes, it's only been three days! Short honeymoon, eh?
He is the cutest thing ever- but I HATE potty training. I hate the 'presents' that he gives us when we don't get it right (at least my kids didn't do that on the carpet!). And, I'm seriously lacking in sleep from his whining during the night. NOT a good combination.
As I was thinking about it I began to realize something- as I'm getting 'squeezed' by this latest challenge in my life, how am I responding?
Honestly, it really hasn't been all that pretty. I don't think it's been very pretty for most of us- each in different ways.
In some ways it makes me sad to see the struggles that each one of us are going through adjusting to this new dog. This is something we've all wanted and waited for for quite some time, and it's been a really hard adjustment (probably more so for me than anyone else).
On the other hand, it is showing me all the areas that I can pray into so that we can see growth.
In the book of James, the writer talks about considering it pure joy when we face trials of various kinds. I don't know about you, but I can't say that is my first thought when the dog makes a mess on the carpet!
Some might say that it's got nothing to do with testing our faith- but I disagree. How I respond shows me exactly what's in my heart (Matt. 15:18). Am I going to choose to honour God with my words and actions or am I going to play the fool and give full vent to my displeasure- like the exasperated sigh, using a harsh tone of voice or cutting words, stomping around, etc. (Prov. 29:11)?
How I respond also teaches my kids how they should react to unpleasant situations. Are they going to learn how to submit to God and persevere since we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13) or are they going to cave into the flesh and quit?
I hate to say it (especially after only 3 days), but today I wanted to quit. I wanted to get rid of the dog and never have another one again. That's what my selfish flesh wants.
But giving up before I learn what God is trying to teach me and my family isn't what He wants for us. He wants us to be steadfast to the end, so that we may become perfect and complete- not lacking in anything (Jam. 1:4).
It seems sad, really, with all the horrible things going on in the world, that this is one of my 'pressing issues'- such a 'first world problem'. However, the principle is the same regardless of the situation or circumstances that we find ourselves in.
Phil. 2:13 says that God works in us (through whatever circumstances that we find ourselves in) so that we not only will want His will, but to actually go and DO His will.
Am I going to consider others better than myself and volunteer to take the dog out for the 20th time that morning (Phil. 2:3)?
Will I, without sighing/muttering/complaining, consider it joy as I clean up after the dog- again (Phil. 2:14)?
Can I keep it together as I try to figure out how I'm going to work out the schedule to get us somewhere on time- not knowing if the dog will co-operate or create more work?
As I see the way I'm reacting to these frustrations, I can see a lot of the things that God has been trying to get my attention on over the previous months (years even?). Things that I haven't been listening to. Things that are now in my face.
I can still choose to ignore these things and not deal with them. That's totally my choice.
God can find another way to teach me these lessons that I need to learn to not be lacking in anything- but I think it would be much easier to finally get it on this round instead of waiting for another go at it.
Like every problem, there will eventually be an end to it. Sometimes things will work out the way we hope, other times our hope will have to be fixed on Him to make something good come out of the ashes (Rom. 8:28).
Trusting God and persevering haven't really been two of my strengths- so here's to working those things out, while I work things out with this dog!
Keeping it real, by the grace of God...
Tammy
I think I've found my latest version of this- our new dog. And yes, it's only been three days! Short honeymoon, eh?
He is the cutest thing ever- but I HATE potty training. I hate the 'presents' that he gives us when we don't get it right (at least my kids didn't do that on the carpet!). And, I'm seriously lacking in sleep from his whining during the night. NOT a good combination.
As I was thinking about it I began to realize something- as I'm getting 'squeezed' by this latest challenge in my life, how am I responding?
 |
| Snarly- just like how I was feeling today. |
Honestly, it really hasn't been all that pretty. I don't think it's been very pretty for most of us- each in different ways.
In some ways it makes me sad to see the struggles that each one of us are going through adjusting to this new dog. This is something we've all wanted and waited for for quite some time, and it's been a really hard adjustment (probably more so for me than anyone else).
On the other hand, it is showing me all the areas that I can pray into so that we can see growth.
In the book of James, the writer talks about considering it pure joy when we face trials of various kinds. I don't know about you, but I can't say that is my first thought when the dog makes a mess on the carpet!
 |
| A boy and his first dog- pure joy! |
Some might say that it's got nothing to do with testing our faith- but I disagree. How I respond shows me exactly what's in my heart (Matt. 15:18). Am I going to choose to honour God with my words and actions or am I going to play the fool and give full vent to my displeasure- like the exasperated sigh, using a harsh tone of voice or cutting words, stomping around, etc. (Prov. 29:11)?
How I respond also teaches my kids how they should react to unpleasant situations. Are they going to learn how to submit to God and persevere since we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13) or are they going to cave into the flesh and quit?
 |
| Getting in some snuggles. |
I hate to say it (especially after only 3 days), but today I wanted to quit. I wanted to get rid of the dog and never have another one again. That's what my selfish flesh wants.
But giving up before I learn what God is trying to teach me and my family isn't what He wants for us. He wants us to be steadfast to the end, so that we may become perfect and complete- not lacking in anything (Jam. 1:4).
It seems sad, really, with all the horrible things going on in the world, that this is one of my 'pressing issues'- such a 'first world problem'. However, the principle is the same regardless of the situation or circumstances that we find ourselves in.
Phil. 2:13 says that God works in us (through whatever circumstances that we find ourselves in) so that we not only will want His will, but to actually go and DO His will.
Am I going to consider others better than myself and volunteer to take the dog out for the 20th time that morning (Phil. 2:3)?
Will I, without sighing/muttering/complaining, consider it joy as I clean up after the dog- again (Phil. 2:14)?
Can I keep it together as I try to figure out how I'm going to work out the schedule to get us somewhere on time- not knowing if the dog will co-operate or create more work?
As I see the way I'm reacting to these frustrations, I can see a lot of the things that God has been trying to get my attention on over the previous months (years even?). Things that I haven't been listening to. Things that are now in my face.
I can still choose to ignore these things and not deal with them. That's totally my choice.
God can find another way to teach me these lessons that I need to learn to not be lacking in anything- but I think it would be much easier to finally get it on this round instead of waiting for another go at it.
Like every problem, there will eventually be an end to it. Sometimes things will work out the way we hope, other times our hope will have to be fixed on Him to make something good come out of the ashes (Rom. 8:28).
 |
| As promised- Samuel's first picture with our new dog. |
Trusting God and persevering haven't really been two of my strengths- so here's to working those things out, while I work things out with this dog!
Keeping it real, by the grace of God...
Tammy
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