Our dogs never cease to amaze us. Whenever something happens (lightening, bloody toe, mad rabid squirrel) they just shake it off and keep right on going. No matter how small or large the scare they have an unwavering belief that what they need most will be provided. This innate sense tells them that they will be taken care of no matter what. The object of their faith is us. Have you ever seen the bumper sticker:
I want to be the person my dog thinks I am.
Faith is believing in that which we cannot see. We know that it is there, however, it has not revealed itself to us at that moment. Years ago we began a journey together. We decided it was our mission to serve. To use what we know, what we have to help someone else. We've gone in so many directions...political campaigning, teaching parenting classes, financial education seminars, breast cancer walks, AIDS awareness rallies, fighting against anti-affirmative action and even our own radio show. We believe in our hearts that God's intent for us (for all of us) is to serve. Our only question throughout these years has been:
How may we serve?
This is where faith comes in...often when we think of service we consider first the sacrifice. Right? What is it going to cost me? What will I have to give up? Just think about the clothes we cast off (at least once a year) they're always the worn, torn used up things that have gone out of style, out of shape or are no longer useful to you. We are always so concerned about there not being enough to go around. Concerned that one act of service will leave us...without. Our dogs can be very selfish somebodies. After all they're dogs, right? But let one of us feel under the weather or sad or just a bit out of sorts...it is their instinct to come to us and see what they can do to serve.
Service is the ultimate act of faith.
When you give without condition, you release and let go of the "stuff" that keeps you locked in the monotony of small thinking. Once that gets moved out of your way, you make room for something greater. Think about it...if a dog can have faith that he'll be fed, why can't we have faith that we'll be taken care of? If a dog can let go of his comfort to see about his people...why can't we and believe that everything will be okay? If our dogs can have faith then so can we. Nathaniel Branden writes
The greatest crime we commit against ourselves is not that we may deny and disown our shortcomings but that we deny and disown our greatness--because it frightens us.
Have a little faith and remember whose you are.
3 comments:
Donald and Wanda thank you so much for this site. Your words on Faith rang true with me. It helps me to remember to not sweat the small stuff because after all, it's all small stuff.
I pray that the Lord will bless you both as you continue to serve Him by serving others.
P.S. - Tell Buster and BoDiddley I said "Hi" lol
What you have written has given me the inspiration to continue to do just what the both of you are doing - finding my purpose in life to serve. I have faith in knowing that I can surely be a benefit to someone else in life and have been involved in things that I know have contributed to the happiness of others. I know I have to continue to do this and it's through FAITH that keeps me involved in giving, knowing that my reward comes in the end.
This is a great blog and I just want to say, "Keep it up."
June E.
Don and Wanda-
What beautiful and thought provoking messages you have here. We can all learn a little more about ourselves when we learn to face our fears. It is only in facing them are we then strong enough to overcome them.
You're doing a great work.
Lenore T.
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