must love dogs.

I have always been a "cat" person.

Growing up, it was not uncommon for our family to have anywhere from five to fifteen cats at one time, all of them living outside of course. When we moved to our new house about five years ago, Dad finally got us a dog. Needless to say, this precious puppy grew into an excited, overwhelming dog, and for a long time I have struggled with loving her as I love my wonderful cats. 

This morning I was sitting outside trying to soak up some Creation/Creator time, and lo and behold Manny (dog) wanders up. At first I was admittedly annoyed, wanting to be alone and at peace with the pine trees instead of having to ward off the inevitable licking and rubbing and smell that Manny brings with her. BUT, something God has been teaching me lately is to see Manny as He sees her, to see her as His Creation. I have never really thought about dogs, or even cats for that matter, as God's Creation. He made her just the way she is for a purpose, and to wish her any differently is kind of an insult to God. Those verses in 1 John came to mind, 4:20-21, that say: "If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this is the commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also." 

Sitting in the shade with Manny, God taught me to love her as much as I love Misty or Midnight or Merlin or Lynno or Simba. How can I say I love God's Work when I don't even try to love this sweet dog right in front of me? After years of avoidance and annoyance, am finally learning to love Manny for who she is, licking and all. We sat for a while under that pine tree, God showing me all the while how much Manny points to Him, how she can teach me so much about how we are supposed to love our Master. 

Thanks, Lord, for teaching me always. For breaking my stubbornness. For creating DOGS. 

MANNY.

"FURTHER UP AND FURTHER IN."