Joy in the Journey! (Lessons learned from Heidi Dog)

Our dog, Heidi, is a happy girl.

She loves to run, play, and explore. She enthusiastically accompanies us on every aspect of our farm work. She looks forward to long walks when I have an opportunity to take a hike through the woods. She barks at every visitor and LOVES our mail carrier.

And, she especially finds joy in chasing squirrels!

Now, Heidi can run really fast and she’s in great physical condition.

She can’t leap tall buildings, but she can jump over enormous logs, big trailers, and large bales of hay.

But, Heidi cannot catch a squirrel . . .

But, that doesn’t stop her from trying–she loves the challenge. She’s thrilled by the opportunity! She’s enthusiastic about the adventure! And, she never gives up HOPE.

Chasing squirrels is part of her Journey of Joy!

I often learn new things from my animal friends. If their basic needs are taken care of–they have an amazing appreciation for the joys of life.

Do we?

Are we viewing life as a JOYFUL journey? Are we appreciating the gift of the present? Are we looking toward the future with hope and optimism?

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hopes in you. Psalm 33:20-22

Sometimes we may become so busy with our many responsibilities of family, career, church or a plethora or other tasks, that we forget to enjoy the blessing and beauty of each day.

 

Our dog Heidi gets tremendous joy from chasing squirrels, but that’s not for me. But, I can learn from her optimistic perseverance. I can recognize the unrestrained enthusiasm that she gives to her journey of life.

 

• She meets me at the door each morning and expresses her appreciation for my attention and for the food I provide.
• She blesses me with her presence when I’m working in the yard or on the farm.
• She runs for joy–expressing sheer happiness at her God given physical ability.
• She is grateful for simple pleasures of life–a pat on the head, words of praise, a walk through the woods . . .

My sweet dog doesn’t attempt to hide her appreciation of the ordinary joys of life. She shows me daily how much she wants to be with me and lets me know that she is happy to have me in her life.

WOW! Those lessons Heidi is teaching me seem obvious, don’t they? I’m reminded that I should:

• Meet my Lord each morning (and throughout the day) and express my appreciation for all the blessings He provides.
• Honor my Lord’s presence in my life, his gift of good health that allows me to work each day.
• Live and work with JOY!! Allow others to see my joy in life and the Light of Jesus from within me.
• Be grateful for those small blessings (that are really awesome and amazing gifts that I receive every day).

Have your animal friends taught you some life lessons? Please share in the comment section below. I’d love to hear your stories!

One more lesson I can learn from Heidi is to dream big. Do you have some big dreams?

I’ve always wanted to complete a marathon, write a best selling novel, visit every state in America, and go to France and see the Normandy Beach where my father landed in the allied invasion of World War II.

I may not accomplish these dreams, but if Heidi could speak to me, she might say, “If you keep trying, you have a chance. After all, one thing is for certain–if you don’t try, you’ll never accomplish any of those dreams.”

Perseverance–Hope–Never Give Up! Wonderful lessons from my sweet girl, Heidi.

And, perhaps, one day . . . maybe . . . Heidi might catch a squirrel!