Monday, January 30, 2012
A Small Brown Dog Kind of Day
Several years ago, my family and I took a three week road trip across the south. Along the way I spent many hours reading to my son. His favorite story was "Small Brown Dog's Bad Remembering Day," about a dog that wakes up one morning and he has forgotten who he is. On each page, another dog he meets tells him something about who he is. At the end of the book, a police dog finds his collar and he realizes his name is Patches. Throughout the book there is a little mouse hidden somewhere on every page. On the last page as he finds out who he is the little mouse finally speaks and says... "I could have told you that."
One morning during this trip I was driving by myself and pulled over on the side of a country road as I felt the Lord speak to me, "you are having a Small Brown Dog day, you have forgotten who you are." Of course I knew my name, but I knew in my spirit what the Lord was saying... God had given me a clear call, a clear understanding of my identity found in Him and I had allowed the things of this world to cloud it. I had been like that little dog, asking everyone I saw who I was, of course, not literally, but figuratively in that I was seeking their approval, so wanting to receive their love and acceptance.
We all want to be loved, but the problem with seeking man's approval is when we seek it to gain our value. Each person asked may have a different answer about you, just like those dogs in the book trying to tell "Patches" who he was, and each answer can vary from on target, to completely off base depending on whether or not the person is hearing GOD about who you really are or making their own determination. Unfortunately, most people base their opinions of others on very little evidence, but largely on their own perspectives and judgements, which can be tainted, or as in the book, just a very small part of who you are. Even your own opinion of yourself is inaccurate if not lined up to who GOD says you are, what His word declares you are! There is only one answer to who you really are, only ONE who knows you inside and out, knows the gifts, the callings, the plans for you... ABBA. He is that "still small voice", like the voice of the mouse, present on every page of your life, the One who can really tell you who you are... When we seek our value from others we will be disappointed, when we find our value in Him we will find peace.
That morning, God set me back on track. That morning, He reminded me who I am, the REAL me, the one He loves, the one He has a plan for, the one He sees value in... whether others do or not. So, if you are having a "Small Brown Dog's Bad Remembering Day" (or month or year!), see what He says about you and ask Him to help you believe it! Allow Him to remind you who you are...
God made you and he doesn't make junk...(and He does not lie!)
" Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day." Genesis 1:31(NKJ)
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11(NKJ)
"But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.[b] 6 And because we[c] are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”[d] 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child.[e] And since you are his child, God has made you his heir." Galatians 4:4(NLT)
"I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened;
he saved me from all my troubles.
7 For the angel of the LORD is a guard;
he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!" Psalm 34:4(NLT)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSIVjjY8Ou8
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Great word! Thanks for sharing life lessons.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sally for reminding me God don't make no junk even when I have day's when I am feeling and seeking others approval like the little small brown dog instead of seeking my heavenly father who knows me well.
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