God can refine our character through so many ordinary things in our lives, have you noticed? I'm not one of those demented middle aged women who are fanatical about their little sissy dogs and annoyingly kiss-kiss them in public and dress them up in little outfits. Okay, I'm 41, and today I am celebrating my Papillon's one year anniversary of joining our family, but I PROMISE YOU I do not play kiss-kiss in public...I save that for the privacy of my own home! And outfits??? Well, there's that one sweater - but she gets COLD in the winter and she SHIVERS!!!
ANYHOW...this little dog, named Angel, has brought me so much joy this past year, and I must say that God has used this cute little bundle of fur to refine my character just a wee bit.
Speaking of wee...I've learned perseverence through housebreaking (it's been a while since I've toilet trained a toddler, but it's a similar study in perseverence) and I'm proud to announce that we're in the accident-free zone now. God has also reminded me that I've come a long way in my own training, and there have been many people - not to mention God Himself - who have persevered and never turned their back on me while I've been learning.
Angel can be quite a stinker when she doesn't get enough of a walk on any given day, so my patience has been tested - and I'm learning self-control on a different level (after all, puppies don't reason quite as well as humans...). I need to practice patience in other areas of my life, too, and I've gotten an opportunity to do so quite a bit this past year!
My little puppy, Angel, is afraid of many things - vents, electrical cords, the laundry room, the t.v. turning off - and when I laugh at how silly that is, I see myself and all the silly things I fear. God is right there beside me, just like I am right beside my puppy - and the things I fear are no more a danger or obstacle to Him than the vents or the laundry room are to me.
So, here are some pictures of my little Angel - one taken last year upon her homecoming, and one taken today - a year later. And, Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all!
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