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| This is Pascal. His “serious face” cracks me up. |
As many of you know, I have two golden retrievers. Chloe is 2 years old and finally starting to settle down a bit.
And then there’s Pascal. He’s 1 year old and the sweetest little (well, 70 pounds) ball of fur. He snuggles up to us. He wants to be near us. He loves other dogs and people…especially kids. He’s rambunctious sometimes and super calm at others.
But Pascal has a vice.
He loves to dig in the mud.
And since we have a doggy door that lets the pups come and go as they please…let’s just say, mama no like that vice.
Because it’s kinda not cool to come home after a long day to find mud all over the couches, newly washed floors, and well, Pascal.
And unfortunately, I’m not the best at controlling my temper. I get angry and so frustrated with him. It’s even worse when he tries to jump up on me and greet me with mud on his paws.
But then I look at his face. He’s sorry, he really is. He gives me his “serious face,” the one that says, “Mama, are you gonna stay mad at me forever? Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?”
And my heart just melts.
And of course, I forgive him, clean up his mess, and give him a bath.
When I think about it, that’s just how God responds to me when I mess up — except God doesn’t get angry and yell at me when I’ve come slinking to him with my tail between my legs.
He doesn’t make me feel worse about myself. Instead, he opens his arms and calls me to him. He gathers me in his arms, mud and all. He doesn’t care that I leave muddy footprints on his robe — he washes them all clean with the power of his majesty.
The way he feels about me doesn’t change. He forgives me and my mud — my sin — is as far as the east is from the west. He’s removed it, scrubbed it clean. I may remember the effects of it, but I no longer see the stain on the couches and floors.
It’s something I do not deserve, but something I am so incredibly grateful for…that he sees my mess and loves me anyway.
What patience. What grace.
“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.”
Your Turn: Can you relate? And anyone else have a dog — or kid — that loves to track in the mud?!
We had two goldens–they are the best! But having lost three beloved dogs, I have a better perspective on our current canine's misdeeds. When she chewed a hole in my lovely living room rug? I considered how many rugs I would give to have Crockett, Precious, and Sam back. It's just a rug. I think it's the same with God–from his heavenly perspective whatever we've messed up can fixed, replaced, or cleaned. What he's interested in is US! Thanks for this wonderful reminder.
Having a long-range perspective is sooooo crucial…with animals who mess up rugs and with ourselves in relation to the Lord.
No dogs or kids, but I relate to the need and gratefulness for grace and patience. 🙂
Amen amen!
No dogs. But kids. But they're girls, so very little mud. And I second Melissa… nothing but grace all day long for this mess of a life I lead. I can't imagine living life without God's sweet and endless supply of grace for me. Thanks for this sweet Monday morning post, Lindsay. 🙂
-raj
Isn't it great to know that He's always there to lift us up and forgive us, even when it's hard for us to forgive ourselves?
Amen! I love how God speaks to your through your puppies! Neither of my kids have been one to get too dirty so I'm thankful lol!
It's so awesome that He speaks to us through the everyday things of life, isn't it?
This is my first visit to your blog, Lindsay, and I think God led me here because the life-lesson Pascal displayed is exactly what I needed to hear and be reminded of on my personal faith journey today! Thank you very much for sharing. 🙂
(And my dogs, Duke and Trixie, wish a big, tail-wagging hello to Chloe and Pascal, too!!)
God's blessings to you, your family and doggies!!
k_kperry@yahoo.com
Thanks so much for visiting, Kimberly! Welcome here, and I hope you'll be back. 🙂
I'm so glad God used this post to touch your life. It's always so awesome when he does that.
And Chloe and Pascal say "ruff, ruff" aka "Hello, Duke and Trixie!" 🙂
Aww, I completely understand. The puppy face–naughty puppy face!!–melts me too. I love that God is patient with us. My patience goes low when I catch Sophie chewing up yet another pencil…
It's the garbage for Chloe…she knows what she's supposed to do and does the opposite anyway. LOL. Thank goodness for grace!
Love this! 🙂
Um, yes. You've met him. Not only does he drag in the mud, but he likes to run around naked, too! 🙂 I'm actually working on a blog post for next week all about this little turkey of mine. I love how you've correlated Pascal's mess and our mess. I'm always amazed that God never loses patience or gets angry with me. It's a great reminder that He calls me to do the same with my children. Thank you. 🙂