Sunday Sentiments

 Tomorrow marks two weeks since Miss Lexi Grae came to live with us, and life has indeed changed dramatically in these two weeks.

This was the first time either of us has ever had a puppy (in our adult lives, anyway) and we've been working diligently to make sure she is well-trained and well-adjusted. We've also been working diligently to enjoy her cuteness and love on her every single chance we get. 

We're amazed at the things she has learned in two weeks. We're amazed that she knows "sit" and "down" and "drop" and can do them quickly. We're amazed that she has figured out her food puzzles and knows that the squeaky drawer of the freezer means her meal Kong is coming. We're amazed at how well she has adjusted to the leash after DEFINITELY thinking it was enemy #1 when we put it on her the first time. We're amazed at how well she does with Braeya as the two of them continue to work on some version of a relationship. 

Not everything is perfect. Potty training is a work in progress. (With some regression, but we're confident she'll get there.) She isn't fond of being apart from us, though she has made great strides in this department in the last week or so. Teething is NO JOKE.

But in those moments when she makes mistakes or just flat out rebels against us, I'm learning so much. God is actually using those moments of training Lexi to help me think about how He loves me. 

I'm sure that while I am quick to learn in some areas, I'm very slow to learn in others. I fall backwards when I know better. I forget what I should remember. And I know I am always grateful for His patience with and tenderness toward me. I strive to show the same to Lexi.

It's an imperfect analogy, of course. My rookie parenting of a puppy is not even close to the Almighty God's work in my life. But it is helping create a fresh perspective for me about His love and my own behavior. 

I'll also add that one of my favorite things is watching Lexi's tail wag with joy and her eyes sparkle when she knows she's done something right and a reward is forthcoming. Though she doesn't always remember what a good thing it is to make her parents proud, she often remembers it. And while my goal in life isn't to sit in wagging expectation of God's rewards, my goal is to make His heart glad.

Again, it's an imperfect analogy. But it's how He's teaching me. May I strive to learn and make His heart glad. May I put aside the bad habits and sins that cause me struggle. 

And may I never stop learning - from cats, dogs, or anything else in God's creation.