Lesson on my Daily Walk~

 I love taking walks and many times it will be then that God shows 

me something in my life where I need to learn a lesson.

I'm a thinker ~ My mind has a way of going places,

good places of course, with God as my focus.

He walks with me and He talks with me,

something I look forward to on a daily basis.

Not that He doesn't talk with me otherwise, its just that my walks
are a special God and I time alone, well, of course Donatella too.
I couldn't be more thankful for the beauty that surrounds our home
making my walks all the more enjoyable.
The snow surrounding the creek is like soft marshmallow 
or fluffy white pillows, just gorgeous!
When the earth is blanketed with snow there is a beautiful quietness,
a hush in the air as even the winter birds sing softly and sweetly. 
The ice crystals on the branches of the growth near the creek
are reminders that Jack frost is still in the air. 

After I rescued Donatella her and I took a private obedience training course

together and I must say, I learned a lot about a dog's behavior.

We do not know the story of Donatella's previous owners or her life,

 our trainer said "maybe it's better that we don't."

Donatella was running from something when I found her

and it took a good year for her to stop running.

She is now at peace in our home and happy with her surroundings

and the love that she gets from other family members.

She is a real JOY in my life! 

I believe God knew that she would find a special place in my heart

and that she has!

With Donatella being a Beagle, she is happiest sniffing rather than walking,

but her tummy needs more than what her nose can give her.

I have always leashed Donatella as my bad knees could never reach her

should she decide to run and take off, which she did once

and thankfully a lady walking on our road was able to get to her.

I was in tears ~ I thought for sure I had lost my new best friend.

While I was out on one of our latest walks the Lord began to show me something

through Donatella's leash.

In the winter month's there is a shortage for Donatella to sniff

due to all the snow we have where we live ~

high in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

I have always walked on a certain side of our quiet dirt road

and it's been that way since Donatella made her way into my life.

But...lately She has decided that she is going to fight me and walk on the 

opposite side of the road thinking there is more over there to sniff!

WRONG!!

As we walk I am constantly tugging at her leash and telling her

"no, this side please."

Oh she obediently listens and responds to my command,

but it's a constant tugging and commanding.

As I gently tugged at Donatella's leash and commanded her to return to my side,

the Holy Spirit was tugging at my own heart.
I could hear those gentle words going through my mind ~

How many times does the Lord gently remind you, Debbie, to obey His commands?

A lot!

There are things in my life where just one tug doesn't quite do it.

But God, in His love and concern for my life continues to work

ever so gently, molding and making me into the lovely vessel 

He has chosen for me to be.
I am reminded of  1Peter 1: 13-16  ~ living before God, our Holy and Righteous God. 
"Therefore gird up the loins of your mind,
be sober, and rest your hope fully upon grace that is to be
brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts 
as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is Holy, 
you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 
"Be ye holy for I am holy."
The desire of my heart is to obey my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, 
in every area of my life with one tug to my heart, not many. 
Teach me Lord, and make me more like You.

"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, 
being fruitful in every good work
and increasing in the knowledge of God. 
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, 
into all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness."
 ~ Colossians 1:10&11 ~

Take Joy!
Debbie
♡