I live with a 91-year-old Man
Isaiah 66:2b (New Living Translation)
“I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word.â€
I live with a 91-year-old man. He is overweight and sits with his legs apart so his belly can hang between them. He has bad breath, feeble legs, and a cavalier disposition, certain the world exists to serve him. I have lived with this old man for years. He has been my constant companion and a thorn in my side.
My old man’s idiosyncrasies wear on my nerves, especially during our nightly battle for kitchen turf. Bad Breath stands facing the cabinet, his long nose an inch away from the door, his hulking body barricading my entry to the kitchen. I motion for him to move. He won’t budge an inch. Annoyance rises up in me instantly. With a scowl on my face I finally surrender, then push my way past him to the cabinet. I open the door and pull out a dog bone. Battle over. The old man saunters off to the family room carpet for a long and lazy chew.
Let me introduce you to my old man, Dutchie, our Dalmatian. He is thirteen, 91 in people years, and likely the fattest Dalmatian you will ever see. Too many dog bones, yes, I know.
It is fascinating to watch God perform life-changing surgery on my character through difficult or unlovely people or even dogs. He uses their grinding annoyance to wear away my pride, to smooth the sharp edges that wound. Through this refining and defining process, my heart becomes humble and teachable.
God’s opportunities for change frequently come to me through the cantankerous and ornery. I consider myself fortunate that the Lord Almighty chooses me worthy of change.
My dog and I have found a comfortable peace over the years. Although he still has bad breath and an ornery disposition, I can smile as I watch him saunter to the kitchen cabinet for yet another bone.
O Lord God, thank you that you find me worthy of change. Craft my character in Your likeness. Let me reflect Your love to the difficult and unlovely in my life. In Jesus name, Amen.
How wonderful that God even uses our dogs to change us. I know that He teaches me patience through ours. I am glad too that He finds me worthy of change.
Blessings on your day, Lynn :smile:.
God will use ANYTHING!! He’s amazing!
iron sharpens iron and apparently so do doggies!
I really enjoyed that, because I believe anything that god has made can change us. I was walking a long in the pumpkin patch with my kids yesterday and I thanked god for them. The opportunity to be their mother.
They change me everyday. The leaves changing this time of year reminds me of change and how good it is.
your words are wise, insightful and motivating. I will carry through my day these words, “I thank God that He consisders me worthy to be changed.”
thanks and love
nancy
hehe. I loved that. That is my prayer for the day.
Well said. I love this! Our cat is the sweetest thing. But he’s getting older now. He may end up teaching me a few things too…
Well said! There are people I see every day that wear down my patience and get on my nerves, and this has reminded me that God put them in my path for a reason. Your site does wonders for my spirit. Thank you!
So true. Thanks, Lynn, for reminding us that God uses many people (and animals) to guide our character.