Buddy, the Bird Dog
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
Buddy is the perfect name for this young German Short Haired Pointer! I watch him with great fascination as he moves from window to window for the best views of the property. There are a couple things about him that make me laugh. One being his approach to the bird feeder window. He lowers his head and sneaks up slowly, puts his feet on the sill and ever so carefully raises his svelte body to peer out at these feathered foes.
I have observed him time and again as he looks out to the back field. After coaxing, he will obstinately focus on a mourning dove shuffling along in the driveway and totally ignore three deer, a woodchuck and six squirrels. It is impossible to change his mind; he is blind to everything else. In his brain, he is doing what he was wired to do.
Do we ever miss the big picture because we are intently staring at a problem or possible road bump ahead? How easy it is to miss all the beautiful blessings that God has so freely given to us by becoming stuck on this one puzzle piece that may or may not even fit into His puzzle.
Perhaps it’s called obsession, worry or anxiety, but whatever it is, it can totally mess with the day. I mean, really, what is more important in the scheme of things—a fat, waddling mourning dove that I’ll never catch or a lush, green field full of God’s creation? Of course, I am not Buddy, but my heart is also bent toward the small, insignificant things. I frequently need that nudge from the Holy Spirit.
God has a way of turning things around! I am forever grateful that He knows how to remove my stubborn blinders and let me see more through His eyes. It is always such a revelation when He reveals all the things that I have been missing. In that moment, I realize, ‘You need to be my focal point!’ These are the moments I laugh at myself and know that my loving Father is nodding His head in full agreement!
Gracious Lord, You are so very patient with us and we thank You for Your continuous love. Help us to become what You planned from the beginning of time and not stay stuck in a perpetual rut. AMEN.