Lent Devotional 4

Sometimes I forget the obvious. I have been writing about Faith and its centrality to Christianity. But I sometimes forget it is not something we own, but something we receive as a gift.

The last week in January I went to the Leesburg camp for the week long Board of Ordained Ministry meeting. I planned take my camper and enjoy the comforts of our “COW”, or “condo on wheels” and did. Jane makes a real sacrifice when I am gone for these long meetings, but for this trip she asked me to decide which of our 2 dogs I was going to take, because the two of them are more than she could handle by herself. I could take either Buster who is over 16 years old or Trixie who is 6 months old, Buster who sleeps a lot or Trixie who is a ball of energy, either Buster who is my dog who spent his puppyhood at camp or Trixie who sees life as constantly moving butterfly to be chased. Not a difficult choice for me.

So Buster and I went on what could be our final adventure together. Early on I was reminded by him of his basic requirements. His first is that I walk him in the morning, at lunch, and that we take a long walk at night. The second was that food and water always be available, and include in the food some hand fed dog bones. And finally that I scratch his chin when ever he sits down beside me. And his gift to me was his faithful presence by my side. His willingness to listen to all I said and his continued devotion. His faithfulness is a gift that reflects a lifelong relationship and is reminder of what is included in all our human and divine relationships.

Attached is a little ditty I received via email. Listen and enjoy this reminder of how our dogs and our God remain faithful to us and consider today the ways we are faithful in all of our relationships.

Have a great day and

SHALOM,

Tom Mc