I am a Christian. I love God. I breed, raise, and show English Cocker Spaniels. I love dogs.
I read a book recently titled "Lessons from a Sheep Dog" by Phillip Keller. Awesome book. It's a story of a man and a sheep dog who learn together what it means to be loved and the joy that comes from becoming all and fulfilling all that God made you and designed you to be.
Keller's book made me reflect on my own relationship with God. It made me reflect on God's goodness toward me, His love toward me, and His wisdom in guiding my life. I started to think about how blessed I was to have a GOOD Master.
I then started thinking about my 16 years raising English Cocker Spaniels and about all the dogs who have shared my home. It may seem obvious, but no two dogs are exactly alike in personality and/or intelligence. To all the dogs, though, I am Master. I am not a perfect Master, but I try to learn from my mistakes along the way.
Thinking again about my Good Master (God), I asked myself what specifically motivated me to want to be "good"? I then thought about my dogs and as their Master, what was it that motivated them to want to be "good"? Looking upward, how do I view God and how do my dogs view me? Looking downward, how does God view me and how do I view my dogs? The word I got in my heart was this: Good Master, Good Dog.
I will be sharing here real life stories of my life with my dogs and the truths about God they have taught me along our journey together. I love my dogs and want nothing but the best for them. They are entrusted to my care by God Himself. I am their Master. Should not my Heavenly Father feel the same toward me as my Good Master...and then some? I am certain He does.
I pray you are blessed by the God-analogies shared here...and that you will grow in the love of God to the point that you cling to His every Word, revel in His goodness, overflow with joy to be in His very presence, and desire to please Him in all you do.
In Christ and covered in dog hair,
Debbie Owczarzak
I read a book recently titled "Lessons from a Sheep Dog" by Phillip Keller. Awesome book. It's a story of a man and a sheep dog who learn together what it means to be loved and the joy that comes from becoming all and fulfilling all that God made you and designed you to be.
Keller's book made me reflect on my own relationship with God. It made me reflect on God's goodness toward me, His love toward me, and His wisdom in guiding my life. I started to think about how blessed I was to have a GOOD Master.
I then started thinking about my 16 years raising English Cocker Spaniels and about all the dogs who have shared my home. It may seem obvious, but no two dogs are exactly alike in personality and/or intelligence. To all the dogs, though, I am Master. I am not a perfect Master, but I try to learn from my mistakes along the way.
Thinking again about my Good Master (God), I asked myself what specifically motivated me to want to be "good"? I then thought about my dogs and as their Master, what was it that motivated them to want to be "good"? Looking upward, how do I view God and how do my dogs view me? Looking downward, how does God view me and how do I view my dogs? The word I got in my heart was this: Good Master, Good Dog.
I will be sharing here real life stories of my life with my dogs and the truths about God they have taught me along our journey together. I love my dogs and want nothing but the best for them. They are entrusted to my care by God Himself. I am their Master. Should not my Heavenly Father feel the same toward me as my Good Master...and then some? I am certain He does.
I pray you are blessed by the God-analogies shared here...and that you will grow in the love of God to the point that you cling to His every Word, revel in His goodness, overflow with joy to be in His very presence, and desire to please Him in all you do.
In Christ and covered in dog hair,
Debbie Owczarzak
4 comments:
Deb, what a great writer you are. Hope you don't mind me linking to your Blog via my Catholic one! =)
God bless,
Heather
(also covered in ECS hair! lol)
This is really awesome, Deb. Can't wait to read more.
Warmly,
Kelly
Nice work Deb..Each one gets better..You make a mother proud!!!
Love You.....
I was in the mood to read more great stories and at the same time reflect on some meaning to our relationships with our dogs....Thanks for sharing your's. Powerful thinking my friend. Great material for a book!
Blessings,
Betsy
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