It was an unusually nasty night. The wind was howling the rain was pounding on the roof; the weather had turned to freezing. It was 3:30 a.m. and “Lady” had to “go” outside. With great hesitation I opened the door and discovered a small Shih Tzu gazing upward into my eyes.

Her markings were stunning: grey, tan, white - even brown stripes on her ears. She “bumped” my ankle with her nose, began to wag her tail, looked steadfastly into my eyes and then bowed - as if pleading for her life.
After carefully examining her we realized that she had been abused and abandoned. Covered with dirt, fleas and ticks, she needed a home. However, Mary and I had agreed that as long as Lady lived there would not be another dog allowed. Without saying a word, she used her pleading eyes and wagging tail to “force” her way into our lives. Bella overturned our rule,

After a few weeks she became “overly” attached to me. Constantly resting at my feet, standing patiently at the door when I leave, quietly waiting for me to make a move so she can join me, it is as though she cannot live life without me. I am her “rescuer and provider.”

Hear wisdom speak: “Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my door, waiting at my doorway.”

Bella is a constant reminder of those three very important words: listening, watching and waiting. May God give us no peace until we look only unto Him!

Prayer:  Father, May we learn to depend only on You as the way, the truth and the source of life each moment. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today:  Proverbs 8:34 Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.

“Pay attention to what I say…listen closely to my words and do not let them out of your sight…and keep them within your heart,” wrote Solomon.
Prayer:  Lord, we can never fool You, and we only fool others briefly. We only fool ourselves. Forgive our folly. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

There once was a dog named “Nipper,” a terrier who was very devoted to his master, Mark Barraud. The two were best friends and were rarely seen apart from each other. When Mark died, his brother Francis ‘adopted’ him and after a lengthy period of mourning, “Nipper” became very attached to Francis, an artist. Eventually they too developed a very close relationship.

Mark and Francis lived in the latter 1800s and at that time phonographs with wax cylinders were used for recording voices and music. Some of Francis’ cylinders contained recordings of his voice and each time he played one of his recordings “Nipper” would place his head near the phonograph and look intently into it as though he was looking for his new master to appear. “Nipper’s” pose inspired the artist and he painted a picture of it that became the symbol of one of the most famous and recognizable brands in all the world, called “His Master’s Voice.”

In Psalm 99:7 we read that “He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud.” What an unusual means of communication. Imagine walking through a field and suddenly hearing a cloud call you by name and give you a special message. Seems improbable but that’s what God did to Moses and Aaron. And He can do that today.

Our God is constantly speaking to us in different ways at different times and from different places. He will do everything He can to get our attention and share His message with us. If we want to hear our Master’s voice, we must be open, attentive and waiting to hear Him speak.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to eliminate the unnecessary noise in our lives so we can hear You when You speak. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 99:7 He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them.