Our God of Relationships

I’ve been on a journey the past couple of weeks; a journey of reconnecting, restoring, and mending fences.  That much I had planned for, what I did not anticipate was the courage needed to keep my feet on the path.  If a u-turn had been available, I would have gladly changed directions.

And then . . .in steps our God of Relationships: through my husband who reminded me about truth-telling, through a meditation on the power of intercessory prayer, through admitting vulnerabilities, through friends who wrapped their arms around me from afar with their words of love and encouragement, and through an embracing welcome filled with warm gracious hospitality.  I knew I was not alone on this journey.  In fact, it became apparent I was not orchestrating this reunion, it was our God of Relationships.

Think about the people in your life and how God works through them to reach out to you.  I bet you’re smiling right now!

What an amazing relational God we have!

Spud and Brooklyn: Chapter Two

Well, it happened again!  Spud and I were making our way home from our Thursday morning walk, when Brooklyn spotted Spud!  But let me give you a little background of the morning, before I share their interaction.

Thursday is my 6am Bible Study group, which every Wednesday night I second myself as to guess why in the world I ever signed up for such a thing.  I mean I’m retired, I don’t have to get up early any more, you’d think I’d pick a more convenient  time.  But I LOVE this group of women and every week I leave at 7am thanking God that HE has brought us together.  In our closing prayer this morning,  I asked that we be open to how God would show himself to us, as we move through our day.

Since I’m wide awake when I return home and of course Spud is ready to launch into a new day, we go for an extra long walk; which includes horse trails and a pedestrian walkway over a busy freeway!  The morning is fresh and crisp, the birds chirping, and squirrels chasing each other (I think just to tease Spud!). 

I take my phone with me for emergency purposes, believe me when it rings I’m completely startled, as that happens so seldom!  But toward the end of our walk I did get a call from my son.  I wanted to arrange time to have a “Billy fix”!  (Oh and BTW, it is SO La Canada to be walking your dog and talking on your cell.)  I’m in the middle of the conversation, when we round the corner and see Brooklyn and grandpa.

I quickly tell my son I’ll call him back and walk over to greet Brooklyn.  Brooklyn is holding his arms out toward Spud and grandpa is asking him if he remembers meeting him. And did we make progress!  Grandpa showed him how to hold Spud’s treat in his open hand and Spud licked it right up!  Brooklyn squealed in delight and pointed to my bag of treats to do it again.  After three feedings, Brooklyn wiped his hand on his shirt and said, “He be slimy”.

 

As we each went on our way, I said good-bye to Brooklyn and he waved back and said "Good-bye Spu"  that’s right Spu, not Spud!  At that moment, I broke into the biggest smile and thought about the prayer from earlier – here you are, God.  Thank you!

 

So here’s wishing you your own “Spud and Brooklyn” moment today!  

     

P.S. 

Since I didn’t think it appropriate to ask to take a picture of Brooklyn, here is one of Spudster and my little guy, whom I call the “Sheriff of Crankertown”!