Mount Pupmore

The pups went to the vet this week to get their first vaccination and a thorough vet check before they go home with their adoptive families in two weeks. They have been such a blessing to have around and my family will miss them. We’re still trying to find homes for Peri and Louis, however, there’s a lot of interest so it’s just a matter of time.

As they were being transported, first in the car and then in the wagon, their fear was evident. They had no clue where they were going and what was in store for them. They only knew the face of the person who was with them on the journey. They heard the calm, reassuring voice telling them to not be afraid. Everything will be ok. The only thing they could do is trust that face and voice. And because over the past 7 weeks, that face and voice having taken care of them, fed them, cleaned up after them, washed them, snuggled them, and loved them, they could indeed trust that person.

This simple story is illustrative of how we humans go through life. There is so much to be afraid of and worry about. How much we fear and anxiety we feel is a function of how close we are to the Person who created us. Do we trust that Person through the valleys of life?

Many of us don’t believe in that Person. If you don’t, then I would welcome the opportunity to introduce you to Him.

Many of us do believe in Him but don’t have a genuine relationship with Him. Our priorities are not aligned with His, and we simply don’t make time to know his face and voice. If this is you, then I would welcome the opportunity to teach you habits that will enable and empower you to live up to the life He has called you to live.

Some of us believe and know Him very deeply. That does not mean we are perfect or are immune from life’s valleys, but it does mean we are equipped to trust our Person, just like the puppies were trusting of their person. The key to sustaining our relationship with Him is to never get complacent with the relationship. Do not take Him for granted and do not ever think your success in life is all because of you. Humans suffer from the problem of pride. Even the most faithful are vulnerable to the sin of pride.

So what can we learn from the story about the puppies?

• Valleys are a part of life. You likely just came out of a valley, are in the middle of one right now, or are headed into another one. There’s no way to avoid valleys while you’re on Earth. Rather, you can count on them.
• Valleys happen to everybody. Good things happen to bad people, and bad things happen to good people. Nobody’s immune to problems. Nobody’s insulated from pain.
• Valleys are unpredictable. You can’t plan them. Problems typically catch you off guard. In fact, they usually come when you don’t have time, when you’re unprepared, and when it’s inconvenient.

Moreover, we can count on these truths. You only need to believe them.

• You are not alone. God is with you. You need to stop worrying about the things that scare you: bills, health problems, or concerns about your children or aging parents. When you shift your focus off your fears, you can focus on the Father.
• God has a good purpose for your valley. Even when you’re facing problems, conflict, grief, fear, or failure, God is at work, creating good from your valley. It’s hard to see in the middle of the storm but believe it. See Romans 8:28.
• You’ll be rewarded and the reward will last forever. Remaining faithful to God in life’s valleys produces fruit. You will receive an inheritance for your faithfulness and investment in your relationship with Him.