Things I have learned from my puppy…

We are deep into puppy training starting week three... 

Don’t chew on mommy.  Eat only your food, not Benny’s food. Your tummy can’t take his food.  Don’t pee or poop in the house.  Yes the grass is okay to do your business.  I know, the grass gets wet sometimes in the morning but it is okay to do your business there.  Okay, I will hold you after because you are cold.  No, Rocco doesn’t want to jump and play first thing in the morning.  He needs his space. Yes, your new treats are yummy, aren’t they?  No, thank you I really don’t want to share them.  Daddy is your friend too and takes you out every morning.  Yes, he is excited to see you too at the end of the day and loves your kisses too.

But what I didn’t know was God was training me too - through Gabriel…

Slow down. You don’t need to run that fast ahead of me.

Gabriel loves to run ahead of everyone.  He doesn’t know the dangers around the corner.  I am here to protect him when we are outside doing our business.  Hawks and other predators are waiting to pick up his tiny three-pound self as a morning snack.  I am his protection.  God reminded me – He is my protection.  Slow down.  Stop trying to get ahead of His Plans.  He knows what is best for me.  Even when I think I am running behind, I must remind myself, GOD is never late. He is just in time.  I need to slow down and just breathe.  Then take deliberate steps.  His steps. Not mine.

Don’t jump off that bed.  You are not superman. 

Gabriel loves to run to the end of the bed and do a Houdini and slide down between the comforter and the footboard.  He doesn’t see the danger in his action, and I have to grab him before he tries the superman feat.  He also tries to jump off the front retaining wall where Benny jumps daily, and Gabriel’s young legs are not ready just yet.  God reminded me of the many times I tried to do things I wasn’t ready for yet.  “I got this Lord!” I would say as I tried something on my own, or in my own strength.  Each time I did that, it ended – spectacularly – horribly.  God reminded me how silly I looked to Him as I played ‘superman’ on my own.  “Yes Lord…I get it.”

Take time outs.  We all need them. 

Each day we give the other puppies a break from each other and Gabriel a break time in his crate.  He wasn’t happy at all with me at that moment.  The other dogs, however, are happy with me.  They get a break from the hyperactive puppy and a little attention from mom.  Gabriel gets a nap and some quiet time.  He is refreshed after his nap and ready to play again afterwards.  Everyone is ready to play again.  God reminded me once again – we all need time outs.  Even me.  Take them.  Or He will give them to me.  I am more refreshed when I do take time for me.  I appreciate time with my Heavenly Father when I take my ‘time outs’.   I get away from the distractions of the world.  I can hear Him clearly.  I don’t miss the small things when I am being still…

Mom (Dad) knows best.  Even when we think we do.

Gabriel LOVES all the foods and treats!  He Loves his food.  He Loves Benny’s food.  He Loves Dad’s food.  ANY Food and ALL Food!  When he finishes his food in his dish, Gabriel immediately bee lines to Benny’s dish to try and sneak a bite of his food too.  I am the house monitor to guide him back to his dish as he is learning his place.  He tries again and then learns through Benny’s growl that he has overstepped his boundaries.  “I told you honey that your dish is Your dish.  You can’t share Benny’s food.”  Gabriel looks at me as if to say, “But mom, I know best.  I should get his food too.”  As much as Gabriel ‘thinks’ he knows best, we all know too much of a good thing isn’t good for him.  And taking another dog’s food is a recipe for disaster.  He learned quickly that wasn’t a good idea too.  I was there to solve the problem.  Mom knows best.

I have stepped into places I didn’t belong when I thought I ‘knew best’.  After licking my wounds, God was there to pick up the pieces and reminded me – He knows best.  I had to learn the hard way.  Don’t we all sometimes?  But the older I get… Well, I still stumble. But I am grateful for His mercy and grace. 

AND that He is there to call on daily because I am not much different that Gabriel…

 

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalms 46:10

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Psalms 139:16

I wait for the Lord , my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.

Psalms 130:5

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