Rerun of Daily Devotional October 28, 2020
I have always believed dogs were God’s greatest invention. If you are a dog lover, you know exactly what I am talking about. Dogs are awesome.
All my life I have owned big dogs. Now, in addition to a big outside dog, I have three little indoor dogs.
Ziggy is an American Hairless Terrier. She’s like petting a warm, underinflated football. Ziggy is kind of creepy, but I love her.
White Dog is a Heinz 57 dog. She’s a mix of every breed that has ever existed. White dog is white. That’s why we call her White Dog. She’s never met a person she didn’t love.
Morgan is half Dachshund and half Yorkie. She’s a Dorky. Morgan is named for Morgan Fairchild, who happens to be the most beautiful actress of all time. Morgan has a Primadonna attitude, but I love her anyways.
Ziggy, White Dog, and Morgan will tolerate Shannon until I get home. Then they drop her like a hot potato and act like she doesn’t exist. It’s as if I was the only human in the world worth their attention.
This is a real point of frustration for Shannon even though I have tried to explain to her many times that dogs are only attracted to people with pure hearts. Shannon doesn’t’ buy it.
While I do admit I like the fact our dogs love me more than Shannon, I am not sure why. As to seeing whose heart is pure and whose isn’t, only God does that. In fact, that’s exactly how God does see us – by our hearts.
When Samuel is sent to anoint the new king, he thinks he’s found God’s chosen but God says, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on their outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1Samuel 16:7)
Just know, when God looks at you, nothing is hidden. God sees your heart. That’s what really matters.
When David realized how far he had strayed from God’s path, he prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)
The good news is that when we ask God to make us clean and whole, that’s exactly what God does. That’s because God loves us even more than my dogs love me. That’s a whole lot.
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, help me have a pure heart. I pray my motivations and the way I lead my life bring you joy. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Someday, Shannon will finally accept the fact that the dogs have proven I am the one in our family with a pure heart. But I’m pretty sure it won’t be today.
Also, just for the record, have you ever noticed that God spelled backwards is dog? It makes sense.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 