In June, fellow blogger, Kara, asked Isabella, our 9 year old, to dog sit for her family for close to two weeks. We thought that I would end up doing the dog sitting but to our surprise, she took full responsibility for her job. At $5 per day, she was up every morning by 7 to take care of them, and went over there four times a day.
We were so impressed that we decided she could have a pet. At first we thought a turtle would be a great low maintenance pet, but after a visit to the nearest pet store, w
e soon figured otherwise. Isabella was crushed, thinking she'd never have a pet to call her own, when all of a sudden, Ty burst out "Why don't we just get a dog?"
e soon figured otherwise. Isabella was crushed, thinking she'd never have a pet to call her own, when all of a sudden, Ty burst out "Why don't we just get a dog?"
This was Monday night. By Tuesday, we were driving home from south eastern Iowa with our beloved maltipoo, Cotton. You may say we're impulsive. I'd beg to differ, and say that Ty and I are a couple who, once we make a decision, and get into agreement, is quick to take action.
We sometimes can read each other's minds... When we talked about this moment later that night, we both confirmed what each other had been thinking: We're at a really good place to add that "one more thing" to our plate. Cooper is growing up, and not as needy. Isabella has proved that she's responsible enough to help me take care of a dog. She's been folding and putting away her laundry all summer long as well as unloading the dishwasher, and keeping her room clean. She's also been patient with her brother (more often than not) which at times mitigates any unnecessary arguments. She's been such a blessing to us this summer, and I think God's tangible teaching moment for Isabella was that she waited patiently for her puppy, and here she is, blessed with the one that God hand picked for her, at exactly the right moment in time.
We sometimes can read each other's minds... When we talked about this moment later that night, we both confirmed what each other had been thinking: We're at a really good place to add that "one more thing" to our plate. Cooper is growing up, and not as needy. Isabella has proved that she's responsible enough to help me take care of a dog. She's been folding and putting away her laundry all summer long as well as unloading the dishwasher, and keeping her room clean. She's also been patient with her brother (more often than not) which at times mitigates any unnecessary arguments. She's been such a blessing to us this summer, and I think God's tangible teaching moment for Isabella was that she waited patiently for her puppy, and here she is, blessed with the one that God hand picked for her, at exactly the right moment in time.
Cotton's been such a great addition. She's allowed us to slow down and enjoy each other's company as we take her on walks, or just sit outside and play with her. A total blessing.... EXCEPT for the potty training. Ummmm. Yeah. I forgot about that part. I find myself saying "Go Potty" so many times a day. "Go Potty" over and over and over again. I'd get tired of saying it, but I know the end result, and I have faith that she'll be fully potty trained by the time winter rolls around.
Isn't it the same with God? What do we think God is up there saying to us, over and over and over again? And do we think He gets tired of it?
I guess it depends on our perception of how God views us. And that perception was probably formed in us early on...by our family and our surroundings growing up.
If you grew up in a judgmental, critical, unforgiving, and guilt driven environment, that's probably how you'll view God. If you grew up in a loving, graceful, forgiving, and compassionate environment, that's probably how you'll view God.
Let's not let our pre-conceived notions put a box around God. Let's go to the source. Let's take some time to get to know God ourselves instead of letting others tell us who God is. Let's go the inherent word of God...the Holy Bible.
Deuteronomy 28:1-14 lays out God's Blessings for Obedience for us. Let me draw a parallel to me telling Cotton to "Go Potty"over and over and over again. Once she finally gets it, and obeys me, I will shower blessings on her! Blessings like being able to sleep on Isabella's bed at night instead of in her crate. Or being able to roam through the house all day long without being crated while we are out. I can imagine these would be considered huge blessings to a puppy who hates being constrained.
But she needs to understand that the Blessings come alongside her Obedience.
In so many ways, God tells us all through history how He wants to bless us abundantly. He tells us through so many stories. He blesses us first, we mess up, He puts us in time out, we repent, He blesses us again... repeat, repeat, repeat. In Genesis 2, He blessed Adam and Eve with the most beautiful garden. In Genesis 9, He blessed Noah and his sons. In Genesis 12:2-3, He blessed Abram. I could go on and on.
He blesses us through His promises... Deuteronomy 8:18 "But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth" Proverbs 8:21 "bestowing wealth on those who love me, and making their treasuries full" Psalms 1"Whatever he does prospers". So many promises! Such a small place to write about them!
I challenge you to do a little searching on God's blessings, and God's promises. I promise He'll speak to you. And searching will help take God out of his box, and release Him into your life, so you'll see the full extent of the blessings He has for you.
Always remembering that the Blessings coming alongside our Obedience.
Love, C.
I guess it depends on our perception of how God views us. And that perception was probably formed in us early on...by our family and our surroundings growing up.
If you grew up in a judgmental, critical, unforgiving, and guilt driven environment, that's probably how you'll view God. If you grew up in a loving, graceful, forgiving, and compassionate environment, that's probably how you'll view God.
Let's not let our pre-conceived notions put a box around God. Let's go to the source. Let's take some time to get to know God ourselves instead of letting others tell us who God is. Let's go the inherent word of God...the Holy Bible.
Deuteronomy 28:1-14 lays out God's Blessings for Obedience for us. Let me draw a parallel to me telling Cotton to "Go Potty"over and over and over again. Once she finally gets it, and obeys me, I will shower blessings on her! Blessings like being able to sleep on Isabella's bed at night instead of in her crate. Or being able to roam through the house all day long without being crated while we are out. I can imagine these would be considered huge blessings to a puppy who hates being constrained.
But she needs to understand that the Blessings come alongside her Obedience.
In so many ways, God tells us all through history how He wants to bless us abundantly. He tells us through so many stories. He blesses us first, we mess up, He puts us in time out, we repent, He blesses us again... repeat, repeat, repeat. In Genesis 2, He blessed Adam and Eve with the most beautiful garden. In Genesis 9, He blessed Noah and his sons. In Genesis 12:2-3, He blessed Abram. I could go on and on.
He blesses us through His promises... Deuteronomy 8:18 "But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth" Proverbs 8:21 "bestowing wealth on those who love me, and making their treasuries full" Psalms 1"Whatever he does prospers". So many promises! Such a small place to write about them!
I challenge you to do a little searching on God's blessings, and God's promises. I promise He'll speak to you. And searching will help take God out of his box, and release Him into your life, so you'll see the full extent of the blessings He has for you.
Always remembering that the Blessings coming alongside our Obedience.
Love, C.
Cotton is so adorable. Isabella is such a responsible child as it is. However, knowing that my precious Chunk and Milli had a hand in showing you Isabella could be even more responsible makes me happy that I asked her to dogsit for two weeks. I love how you tied in what God is trying to do in our lives. Wonderful story CC!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kara!!!! Yes, so glad she watched Milli and Chunk for you!!! If it hadn't been for that, there's no way Ty would've budged on getting a dog. He loves her now!!!! Pets are such a great way to teach kids responsibility and compassion. Thank you!
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