Meet Zoe.
The best Christmas present I ever got.
My twin in wiener dog form.
My child.
Seriously though. I love this little dog, especially because she has helped heal parts of me I didn't know were broken. People who know me probably think of two things when they think of me: music and wiener dogs. There's a reason for the borderline creepy obsession, people! Who knew a tiny little sausage shaped dog with legs a few inches long could teach me so much? Sometimes, when I really need to learn something important, I think Heavenly Father knows the only way He is going to get through to my stubborn heart is through a wiener dog, so He gave me Zoe. I sound ridiculous right now, I know. But hear me out. I'm gonna tell you all about Wiener Dog Life Lessons.
Lately, I can't seem to turn off my brain. At any given moment there are a million little tasks and goals and all sorts of random things sort of swirling around my head in a terrifyingly overwhelming tornado, largely thanks to the constant distractions that seem to be unavoidable in this day and age.
So.
Tonight, I took my little dog outside, threw out a blanket, laid on my back and looked up at the stars while I started to have a little chat with God. I needed to be still.
Normally, when we're outside chillin', Zoe meanders around the yard and sniffs everything, checking in with me about every minute or so. But today is the 4th of July. Today, there were fireworks - the quickest way to get a snuggly dog! She quickly nuzzled between my waist and my arm and put her head down on my shoulder. Every time a new group of fireworks would go off, she'd lift her head and look around, slightly distressed. I'd hold her tightly and whisper, "It's okay. I've got you. You're safe with me." She'd breathe a deep breath, and back to my shoulder her head would go.
I'm a lot more distractible than Zoe. I'm not always as faithful in checking in with my Master. That little dog cannot be in the same vicinity as me without being with me literally every single minute, yet sometimes I go days without really turning to God. Sure, there are the routine prayers, which are better than nothing. But lately, it takes a firework to make me REALLY run to Him - a firework like not having a clue where to go next in my life, or trying to decipher between the spirit and my emotions when making decisions about where a relationship is heading (or not heading), or feeling like worldly things are taking over my life. And while I know that God is patient while I'm not desperately running from the fireworks, it's me that's missing out on the peace, joy, and calmness that comes from being close to Him.
The good news is, no matter when those fireworks come, or even if they don't, I can ALWAYS turn to God.
It's okay.
He's got me.
I'm safe with Him.
So tonight, when I go to bed, I'll take a deep breath, close my eyes, and let those reminders sink deep into my heart.
He's got me.
