Relax

And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.  ~ Genesis 2:2

Rest is important for all of us.  However, I have noticed that it is sometimes hard to stop and really rest like my body needs.  Although, I was able to get some rest this past holiday weekend, which is quite unusual for me.

The Sabbath Day was meant to be a day of rest.  In fact, the Jews had some very strict rules in observing this rest.  In the New Testament, we see that Jesus is our Sabbath.  We find our rest in Him.

Although, the natural body still needs rest.  While we do not come under the Old Testament ceremonial Law anymore, I know many in the workplace and in ministry do not take time to relax.  They are afraid that if they do not do it now then it will not get done.  You know, that just might be the case.  However, more often than not, I believe it is more important to rest, relax, and recreate.  The word recreation means to re-create.  As I have heard our pastor say (although he does not always practice it - in my opinion), we need to come apart before we come apart.  The work will get done.  Either someone else will pick up the ball and run with it or it will be there when we get back.

Whether it is a vacation, a day off, a short nap, or a 15 minute mental vacation, we need to take the time to relax every once in a while.  If we do, I believe we will find ourselves to be more productive during our work time.  It's the way God made us.

My dogs understand this.  Do we?

Patience

Patience.  It does not come easy for me.  I am often very impatient.  I want to be patient.  But, I am often not willing to go through what it takes to become patient.

James 1:3 says, "Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience."  So, in order to become more patient, I need to go through a few trials and tests.

I have watched my dogs as they patiently wait.  In particular, I have noticed this attribute in my vizslas (Hungarian Pointers).  When they are on the hunt, they will stand perfectly still and wait for just the right moment to pounce.  Dozsar, my current vizsla, will stalk his prey patiently.  It is a beautiful thing to see a vizsla point.  When other dogs would begin running and barking, he will stand perfectly still, point, and wait for just...the...right......moment.  Now!  Then, he pounces with everything he's got!

I can learn a lesson from this.  I see many things that I want in life.  I will point and say, "Hey, I want that."  But, instead of waiting, I often charge full steam ahead.  And, because I didn't wait for the right moment, I may miss the opportunity.  I need to learn to wait.  It might seem like I have missed the right moment, but if I wait patiently, God will work it out in His time.

Thanks, Dozsar, for teaching me to wait.  It is a beautiful thing!

Welcome to "Pawsitive Words!"

Someone once said, "If you treat your dog like a human, he will treat you like a dog."  However, as I watch my dogs, I see some attributes that are not all bad.  Perhaps I can learn something from them.

Therefore, I have created this blog to share some of the life lessons I have learned from my dogs.  Sure, it is a different perspective.  But, we sometimes learn a little more about ourselves when we look at things a little differently.

So, I invite you to look along with me here.  Some things will be funny.  Some will be serious.  However, it will all be educational.

Thanks for stopping by.