Prodigal: I like the pattern in that quilt!
Me: I reckon it just grows on you.
I looked at my phone. The time said almost an hour and half. I could not believe I had been talking for that long. Time flies when the conversation is great! It was toward the end of the night. I had decided to walk my dog, Romans, and talk at the same time. Romans needed his nightly walk before bed, so it all worked out great.
I finished the walk, and went inside. I went to my bedroom, and sat in my chair. I took out my bible, and nightly devotion. I sat there enjoying God’s word for the night. As I closed the bible, I looked around for Romans who usually joins me in bed. He was nowhere to be found. I did a quick search of the house, and found him by the door.
He was staring at his leash, and was ready to go outside. I thought. How strange, there is no way he has to go out so quick after an hour and a half walk. I did not want any accidents though, so we went outside. Just as I thought. Romans really did not have to use the bathroom. I then began to piece it together.
I had changed up my routine. Every night I read my bible first, and then walked Romans. Romans saw me reading my bible, and was just waiting for the usual routine.
Without realizing it. Romans began to be trained by me. For two years my dog saw me read my bible every night, and then walk him. He thought when I read the bible at night, the next step, meant he goes for a walk. He was just following the nightly routine.
Routines are developed daily, and then weekly. Weeks turn to months, and months turn to years. I have been guilty of the desire to prove “how Christian I am”. I need people to see this, or understand this about me.
I need to tell people I do this. I need to show people I do this. Then they will see what a great Christian I am. I think I was way off track with these thoughts.
I developed the habit of reading my bible every night for a lot of reasons, but I was determined to make that a goal that stayed with me for the rest of my life. It really was between me and God, this goal of reading the Bible. I knew that if His word was so important to me, I would have to make it a priority to at least read part of it every day.
I praise God that the habit has been developed. The things we create that are consistent do not need to be shouted out. They speak for themselves. Even a dog figured out that I can be faithfully relied upon to read my bible every night.
Others have watched you too. They can see what you are faithful about. You don’t have to list them. It will show itself to others.
I love when I can talk, and show others what I have done, and accomplished. I think this night though God was showing me something else. He was showing me that just by seeking Him, others will notice. I don’t always have to be focused on who is seeing, and who is listening, and who understands.
I read the bible that night and saw God words. But the Lord used my dog that night to understand what his words look like in action.
Luke 12:2-3
Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
