Tag Archives: Molly

MOLLY AND ME – HABITS

Christian Life, ,

Our time together, Molly and me, has produced some unusual habits. Habits are good, I suppose, if they contribute to a peaceful life. Some habits are irksome but…we tolerate each other for the sake of love and harmony.

Habits develop over time when we repeat behaviour patterns until they stick. Take Molly’s cute habit, for example, of make a wide detour around the furniture every time I put her food bowl down on the floor. She will never walk in a straight line to her food…always a detour, for what reason? Only she knows?

Another habit she has developed is to do her business in my bathroom when it rains, but she does it furtively, like she doesn’t want me to know… until I discover the evidence. I don’t mind because it’s easy to clean, and always in the same place…never in my lounge or bedroom.

She started a bad habit which I recognised after a few times, and quickly nipped in the bud. She would wake me in the middle of the night to go outside, and then moon around in the garden for quite a while before coming back inside.

Now I know that she has excellent bladder control, so her little ruse didn’t fool me.

Why do we develop habits, some good, some bad? I guess habits help our thought processes. If we don’t have to think about every routine move we make, it frees our minds to engage in more profitable thinking. I don’t know if habits work for Molly but they work for me

One thing I realise, after observing Molly’s funny little habits, is that I also have habits that influence and direct my behaviour. My best habit, practised over many years, is to rise early and spend time with Lord, engaging with Him, uninterrupted, while it’s dark and quiet, before my daily routine begins.

It wasn’t always like this. When my four children were young, school-going boys, mornings began with a bang and a flurry to get them off to school. Then the day rushed on with hardly time or a thought for the Lord.

Now that I have all day on my hands, my daily habit is deeply entrenched… not that I think my day will go haywire if I don’t have a “quiet time” but because these are treasured moments that I would hate to miss.

I have other, lesser habits that generally keep me on track, and habits that Molly and I have formed together that testify to the bond we enjoy, like holding her close every time I sit down on my chair next to her. She and I cherish those together times which are like the grooming that cements bonds in the animal kingdom.

Since we gather habits that are helpful or harmful, it’s up to us to recognise the difference and to break the habits that irk us or others. The best habit of all is to cutivate a God-awareness so strong that it keeps us connected to Him, His will, and His ways throughout our day, whether we are conscious of His presence or not.

I treasure the Holy Spirit presence because He helps me form the habits that keep me from wandering off into forbidden territory, and keeps my heart warm with joy and longing for more of the interaction with the Lord that keeps my anticipation for heaven alive despite the darkness all around.

2 Corinthians 4:18 NLT
[18] “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”

https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.4.18.NLT

MOLLY AND ME – A TENDER LOVE

Christian Life, ,

Molly is just a dog. She isn’t a puppy any more but I still call her my “baby girl” because she is small, vulnerable, and dependent. I treat her like a dog. I don’t dress her up like a child, I try not to feed her human food, (although I once did), I try to fall in line with her “dog-ness”.

She has limited understanding so I don’t expect her to understand what she can’t because she is a dog. Instead, even though she is naughty at times, stubborn, disobedient, fussy, and even independent, I still treat her like a dog. I crank up what she does understand, tenderness! Soft, kind tones…togetherness…
companionship…closeness…
exercise… praise…treats… and even routine which makes her feel secure.

My efforts pay off when I receive the kind of unconditional love and loyalty only a dog can give. My greatest reward is that moment when Molly lies on my lap, comfortable and warm under our “red blankie”, and gazes adoringly into my eyes.

I’ve learnt to be a good dog owner by the way my Father treats me. He knows my capacities and limits. Someone once wrote a song (which I can’t find on YouTube), “I’m only a child in His eyes…” The Father knows my child-ness just as I recognise Molly’s dog-ness and He treats me accordingly.

His tenderness is unmatched. His compassion is limitless. His mercy is as high as the heavens are above us. He us the Father of all fathers, the one we need more than anyone else. How precious is He to those who call Him “Abba!”.

Psalms 103:13-16 NLT
[13] “The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. [14] For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. [15] Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. [16] The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here.”

There is no one like the Lord who accommodates Himself to who were are, who knows our weakness and failures and forgives. He covers our sin with the blood of His own Son and removes the pollution of our rebellious acts as far as the east is from the west. He changes our stubborn hearts from rebels to adoring children. Thank you, Father, for such tender love!

MOLLY AND ME – AGING?

Christian Life,

It’s inevitable! Molly and I are aging!

Molly came into my life nearly eight years ago, a tiny, strawberry dapple ‘worsie’ hardly bigger than my foot. She was inquisitive, bouncy, and full of mishief. The leader of my pack, a Yorkie, did the mischief and Molly joyfully joined in.

Molly is a “velcro” dog. The closer she can get to a warm body, the happier she is. Tosca would get annoyed with her because Molly liked to sleep on Tosca’s back!

I should rather say, Molly is not aging. She is maturing. Her ever-increasingly white muzzle and paws speak of age but her maturity peeps out in her behaviour…

…For example, she loves to stretch out on my recliner and watch me prepare meals. I have taught her to move to the back of the chair when it’s time for me to sit down. Now she spontaneously wriggles her long little body backwards until she flush with the chair back! So cute!

I often wonder how much dogs can reason. When Molly has the urge to go outside when it’s raining or when she can’t get out, she does her business in my bathroom as close to the toilet as possible. How is that for consideration! At least I don’t have to tour the garden to clean up her waste.

As I said, Molly loves closeness…and equality. She believes she has a right to eat what I eat. Not always good for her. She also sleeps where I sleep. She starts the night under the blankets, especially when it’s cold. However, when I wake up, she’s sleeping with her head on the pillow next to me! How is that for equality!

Her latest habit is to wake me in the night. She used to wake me for toilet purposes but now she wakes me just to say “Hello, are you awake?” She tugs on the blankets, bumps me with her nose, or wriggles around until I show her I’m awake. After reassuring me that she doesn’t need to go outside, she lies on my arm, gazing at me with adoring brown eyes. Then we go to sleep again, assured of our love for each other.

I wonder if Molly knows that the older we grow, the closer we get to having to part! It’s a sad thought, so I make the best of every moment we have together. When I go out, I settle her in her bed, cover her with our favourite red blankie, and comfort her with treats. Homecoming is always a joyful reunion.

How much the Father has taught me through my years with this little dog. The older we grow, the closer we become. It’s like this with God too. I often spend time simply loving God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, trying to imagine what heaven will be like in the eternal presence of God. Sometimes, He wakes me in the night, for no other reason than to give me time to think about Him.

I love His presence when I go shopping, or make crocheted toys, or prepare meals. My Helper is always there to guide and advise me and to help me make the right decisions. He’s always thinking about me, more thoughts than all the grains of sand on the planet.

Psalms 139:17-18 NLT
[17] How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! [18] I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!”

Even if I don’t listen, He is still there. And when I wake up?

Psalms 139:17-18 NLT
[17] “… And when I wake up, you are still with me!”

What thoughts does God have about me?

Psalms 139:5, 9-10 NLT
[5] You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head….
[9] If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, [10] even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.

Good, blessing, favour!

So, thank you, little Molly, for all the life lessons I have learned through my partnership with you. You have carved out a tender spot in my heart that belongs to you and you alone. We both belong to God because He made us and He gave you to me to care for, for Him.

We have no idea how many days we have left together. When I go to my place or when you go to your place, together or apart, we will have good memories of precious times and all the love that glued us to each other here on earth.

MOLLY AND ME – MY CHAMPION

Christian Life, ,

Molly is my self-appointed guardian. I guess it’s in the nature of a dog to protect. Since I’m her owner and much bigger than her, it’s my responsibility to care for and protect her, but she has somehow reversed the roles.

When I’m at home, she uses her rotweiler bark to ward off would-be invaders, be they real or imagined, be they warm-blooded humans of any shape or colour, or cold-blooded “critters” of any smell or size.

Her pet hate is the domestic worker who comes to clean my landlady’s house every second week, because she wields a mop or broom. We are under house arrest until she leaves because Molly wants to eat her.

She also hates the gardening service men because they invade our property with their noisy machines when they cut the grass.

Neighbours’ dogs fall into the category of “enemies” as well. She treats little ones with disdain and big ones with ferocious barking… as long as they are on the other side of the gate!

Molly isn’t even afraid of thunder. She just keeps barking fearlessly until the noise goes away!

When I am not at home, she goes to ground, time out, day off, all duty suspended, immobile ’til Mom gets home. She refuses all attention and only comes back to life when she hears my car coming up the driveway or the gate being opened.

Molly is worth her weight in gold. My champion saved me from disaster when she barked a warning that my gas stove, unknown to me, was shooting a flame of fire from underneath the cooker top.

Of course, her size makes a huge difference. When there is any real danger, Mom takes over. Face to face with a real dog either turns her into a high-pitched barking/squeaking coward if it’s big, or a sharp, warning yapper if it’s small. Hairs on the back stand up and the adrenaline rushes in.

Thank you, Molly. You’re a trouper! Your intentions are all good.

If Molly thinks she is able to protect me, what about God, our great heavenly Father? He has made an endless number of promises to His children to see the enemy off and guard us from harm and danger of every kind, and does a much better job than Molly ever can.

‭Psalms 121:3-8 NLT‬
[3] “He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. [4] Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. [5] The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. [6] The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. [7] The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. [8] The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.”

If there were no other promise in the Bible, this one would be enough to give us complete confidence in Him.

Not only does God Himself watch over us but He has also assigns angels to be on duty as well.

‭Psalms 91:9-12 NLT‬
[9]”If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, [10] no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. [11] For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. [12] They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.”

God never sleeps, never takes time out or a day off. His angels are on duty 24/7, waiting for His command.

‭Psalms 103:19-21 NLT‬
[19]” The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything. [20] Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. [21] Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will!”

‭Jude 1:24-25 NLT‬
[24] “Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. [25] All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.”

So why, then, should we ever be afraid? If nothing else, Molly is a very effective “early warning system”, false alarms or not. How much better our God who watches over us moment by moment!

MOLLY AND ME – MY DELIGHT

Christian Life, ,

Molly is a cute little dog. She is no longer pretty, somewhat misshapen with back paws that point inward, front paws that point outward and hump of fat on her chest so low it drags on the ground. Her legs are super short, her body super long, but she has deep brown eyes, and her gaze at me soft and loving.

Her muzzle is turning white, and her dappled coat, always red-brown and shiny, is becoming more marked with white as she grows older. However, she is still exuberant (at times) and bouncy as she chases her ball or darts after “prey” which includes frogs and geckoes… and hadidahs!

Molly does crazy things like sleeping on my dirty laundry and entertain herself by rolling around on her back in her bed. She loves squeaky toys but ends up destroying the sqeak because she thinks it’s “prey”!

With all her crazy features and funny behaviour, I delight in her. As old as she is, she will always be my “baby girl”. She is always in my thoughts. When I go shopping, I look for ways to “spoil” her with little treats. She is a big part of my small world.

If I delight so much in a little animal, how much more does God delight in us, His crazy and funny children!

Zephaniah says that God sings a wild and exuberant song to express His delight in us.

‭Zephaniah 3:17 NLT‬
[17] For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

The Hebrew word, Rinnah – meaning a ringing cry, can be translated as “Shouts of joy, singing in triumph”, a sort of victory cry.

Is it possible that God sings and dances over us because He is so happy? What could delight Him so much that He sings a crazy song?

Look at this verse…

‭Psalms 5:12 NIV‬
[12] “Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”

The Hebrew word “ratson”, meaning favour or goodwill, can also be translated “delight”. God surrounds and protects us with His delight.

One usually never stops thinking about the person in whom one delights. No matter what one is doing, one’s thoughts soon stray back to one’s beloved. David said that God’s thoughts about us are more than the grains of sand.

I walk past a pile of building sand on my daily excursion with Molly. I try to think what it would be like to sit down and count the grains! Impossible! That’s a silly idea because David was simply trying to tell us that God’s thoughts about every one of His children are too many to be counted.

Why is God so delighted with His children?

Firstly, I think, because His daring plan to rescue us has worked. Think of the millions, perhaps billions of lost sons and daughters through the centuries, who have come back home to God because they have believed in Jesus.

Secondly, I think, because God is delighted with the finished product. He has worked hard, through our lives on earth, to recreate us in the image of His Son. He wants us all to be exact replicas of Jesus. It will happen when we come face to face with our Saviour.

‭1 John 3:2 NLT‬
[2] “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.”

The Father is crazy about Jesus. He wants us all to be like Him.

‭Matthew 3:16-17 NLT‬
[16] “After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. [17] And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

He gave the Son His Spirit without measure.

‭John 3:34-35 NLT‬
[34] “For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. [35] The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands.”

Thirdly, if God surrounds us with His delightful thoughts about us in such volume that they can’t be counted, then He wants us to be completely secure and protected until He calls us home.

‭John 10:27-30 NLT‬
[27]” My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, [29] for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. [30] The Father and I are one.”

If that’s God’s view of us, then we should also be dancing and singing with delight because we should be as crazy about God as He is crazy about us.