Doggone It!

Yesterday, on my way to work the cars on the other side of the boulevard were slowing almost to a stop. I frowned and looked to see if an accident had occurred. Nope. Then I spotted a white and tan dog, similar to this one but bigger, dodging cars in this four lane traffic.


Aloud, I said,"Oh nooo." I started to slow, but the cars traveling behind me inched toward my bumper, all headed to work at the 8:30 hour. I continued to look in my rear view mirror until I couldn't see anymore. None of the cars stopped. That scenario tugged at my heart all the way to work.


Why didn't I turn around and stop? I'm a dog lover, and knew this apparently well-cared for dog's people would be hunting him. Well, my boss loves dogs, but may not understand me being late for the patients at his office. And then this fast road is too dangerous to stop on the side, much less try to corral a dog. And last, what if I did all that and the dog was vicious? Those are my excuses.


"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them.... Romans 12:6


What other things have tugged at my heart and I refused to follow through? Knowing someone who needs that phone call and I put it off until it was too late, bringing food, or companionship to that person the Lord has put on my heart, helping at church when that tug comes, encouraging a neighbor, or mending fences, and so on. Why do I shove aside those thoughts, like a runaway dog?


Because, I don't want to put out the effort, usually. I don't want to use the gifts and grace the Lord gives me. I don't want to offend or I don't want to get hurt if the situation doesn't work out, and so on.


Did you catch that? My sentences all use the letter "I." No sharing, no caring. The letter "I" is the word of the day. I want to keep all my gifts to myself, the Lord gave them to me and they are mine. Ooops, there's the letter, "M."


Lord, take out the letter "I" from my thoughts and replace with the letter, "O" for others. May I act on the next tug You send.

Bark at the Ball Park 2009

We went to "Bark at the Ball Park" today and wanted to share some pictures for all you dog lovers. Three times a year the Clearwater Threshers minor league baseball team allows the Humane Society of Pinellas to have a dog day during the game. Yes, you have to pay for your four-legged friend, but it all goes to the Humane Society.

There are big dogs, and little dogs, and some dress up for the special occasion.

The Humane Society has raffles and T-shirts you can buy and all sorts of fun stuff. You can be in the stands, or hang out in the grassy areas. A fan favorite moment is when someone hits a foul ball and they play a door bell sound-all the dogs bark.

Then here's my dog, Major after a rousing day of meet and greet, or rather, wag and sniff. He's not too spoiled. Hey, we are empty nesters, what can I say!

Was a good time. Enjoy your family pets.

ps. Click on the pictures to enlarge-of course you probably already knew that.