This is the tale of a beloved pet named Glacey. :) I bought my sweet Pyrenees "on a whim", several years ago, and my days have been made far more interesting by her antics and their addition to my life. :)

She's the most amiable dog you'll likely ever meet, but she does have just a few character flaws...like the fact that she chewed several of the feet off my mother's brand new dining table, only days after coming home with me. Also, in spite of her sweetness, she is stricken with an incurable case of "wander-lust".

Well...today, I was just about to leave home for a long-awaited walk when I walked down the hall and found our rear entry door standing wide open. A wave of dread came over me, as I had a premonition of what was to follow. I quickly searched through the home, and sure enough, Glacey was already long gone. She can't help but indulge herself in a fling, when the door is beckoning her toward the radiant sunlight outside. :)

I "ran for the hills", literally, and found myself on a hour-long sprint to chase her down. I have to be honest, after tearing through thickets and brambles galore, I was about ready to just let her run as far as she pleased. (step...step... oh! dried thistle... step...step... a cedar limb slapping back on me... step...step... spear grass... step... step... "Think happy thoughts. Think happy thoughts.") :)

As soon as I rounded her back up and took her home, she was immediately inducted into "bootcamp" with my mother as drill sergeant. Two hours later, we were still trying to get the "oh, so stubborn" pooch to sit on command. When she finally did make up her mind to lower her haunches, it took her a full six seconds for each sitting attempt. :) Meanwhile the brilliant, white lab in the yard next to Glacey sat the entire time, watching Glacey and not moving a muscle. I know she had to have been thinking, "You dolt, just sit down!" :)

Well, I've decided that since I am to dwell on what is good and lovely, I'll put aside her shortcomings for the night and reminisce on the qualities I love about her...her mild nature, her faithfulness, her sensitivity to come lay her head in my lap and just "check on me" when a day has been trying. You see, even the most tedious companion can offer manifold blessings, if we'll just look beyond the "growth opportunities" to see the hidden qualities of beauty...

Surely, if this is true with a lowly (yet truly treasured) pet, it is all the more true when applied to the human relationships we find all around us. Tonight, I am preaching to myself, for today has brought me many opportunities to look past the smudges in the hearts of those I love. I know I should be appreciative of the glorious blessings that are beyond the slight shortcomings. So often, however, I don't try as hard as I should, and today, unfortunately I could've tried a bit harder. That's why I'm so grateful that God allows us to ask forgiveness and "try again" tomorrow.

For tonight, I will simply stand humbled by the fact that a Great Pyrenees has helped teach me a lesson about life. Tomorrow, I'll give all my heart to find the very best in those I love. I owe more to them and to the Lord Who bestowed them on me than I can ever repay, and I'm so grateful for the grace that has been made mine...

"Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment."

I Timothy 6:6

Find something you've never recognized before for which to be grateful in the life of one close to you. It will brighten your spirits as nothing else and make you so much more able to love them in the way Christ first loved you...

Goodnight!