Good morning…
On Sunday afternoon, I picked up our new golden retriever puppy, and brought her home to meet our family. My husband Steve is walking the Camino in Spain, (and the Camino was the first trip we shared as a couple as he started his new job leading adult trips), so we have decided to name our eight week old pup Camino (Cami for short). What a joy to begin getting to know our new family member!
The first night was rough, I’m not going to lie. With crate training rules swimming in my head, “let cry her it out” and “dogs never soil the place where they sleep” vying for my attention, we woke to a poopy crate after a very stressful, sleepless night. Trying to be the puppy parent I “thought I should be” did not work well for any of us. Ugh.
Abandoning my best laid plans and changing course, I decided to calmly follow Cami’s lead. I thought about her experience thus far in life. She was raised in a pen with her momma and her littermates, so using our pen as her nighttime home made so much more sense. We played in the pen throughout the day. We napped there together. She found a corner in which she loved to stretch out and snuggle. We made it a positive place with peaceful vibes, and night two, she drifted to sleep without a whimper. Just now, she stirred at 1:00 am, and I took her out to do her business. In the dark, she quietly went back to sleep. I am sure there will be more wakings, but I will respond with the peaceful presence of God.
There will be many challenges ahead, I can guarantee you that, but the fun and the frustrations will balance themselves out. As many of you know, we deeply loved our nine year old golden mix, Tate, who we welcomed into the family also at eight weeks and put to sleep in June due to her growing cancer. Grieving well and gathering excitement, our aging family is stepping into another puppy year, supported by God and each other.
As all of us make important decisions, day after day, balancing the fun and the frustrations of life, may this Scripture be said of us. Anticipating the best, they had sought God—and he showed up, ready to be found. God gave them peace within and without—a most peaceable kingdom! (2 Chronicles 15:14-15, MSG).
As we witness God’s kingdom expanding within and among us, in our homes and across the globe, may we follow the Spirit’s lead down the path of peace.
…Sue…
