Dwelling in Content

Honeybun continued to improve throughout the day despite her dizzy dog syndrome getting the best of her in the morning yesterday. I worked on my new book, and she looked out the door. Around mid-afternoon, she decided she was feeling better, and she was eager to go for a walk.

"You can't go walk," I said, "You will fall down." Her head was still listing to the right and she was still wobbly. However, she looked pleadingly at me and whined.  I got up and she raced to the door.
"Come on," I offered, "I will carry you down the stairs and you can frolic in the backyard." I headed to the back door.

She looked at me, and ran to the front door. Then, she turned and stared at me. She could not be clearer. She didn't care that she might fall down. She wanted to go for a walk. She had no interest in the back yard or the indignity of being carried down the stairs.

I sighed and put on my coat. Snapping the leash on her, I opened the door. She dashed out, tail wagging, head still tilted to the right, but full-steam ahead. She trotted gleefully, yes gleefully, down the street. She wanted to go all the way around the block, but I made her turn around after only a sixth of the way around the block. She glared at me, but this time I wasn't giving in. I knew her heart was bigger than her endurance.

She sniffed and pranced, and didn't fall down once. We returned home, and she cheerfully shook as I unsnapped the leash. It wasn't as far as she wanted to walk, but it was further than I thought she could. It wasn't much but it was something. The sun and the fresh air, and the smells had reminded her that a world out there missed her. It was as eager to have her back as she was eager to return.

I noticed that she never seems upset or jealous or angry that our other dog Lucky can walk straight, go on long walks, go up and down the stairs, or carry his head level instead of dipping sharply to the right like it's attached to an anchor by the right ear. She just does what she is able to do without complaining and doesn't seem to notice what she doesn't have or what she cannot do or what others are blessed with that she is not. I could learn quite a bit from my sweet dog.
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Hebrews 13:5 

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Philippians 4:11-13 

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 

Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

Matthew 6:31-33 

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Ecclesiastes 5:12 

Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.

Psalm 16:8-11 

I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.