Gabrielle and Holly
“Then the word of the LORD came to me: ‘The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. Who despises the day of small things? Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.'” Zechariah 4:9-10
The day of small things. The Lord has been ministering to my heart through these verses the last several days. I love when He keeps bringing me back to the same scripture, don’t you? He is faithful. My heart is thankful.
Joshua, Gabrielle and Holly on Easter Morning
I shared a month ago how the Lord gently (but quickly) led me to die to self and surrender to Him in order to honor my husband’s desire to grant our children’s wish and prayer for a family dog. (To read that story, click here: “My Husband Asked Me To Pray“.)
The Lord led us to the dog we were to adopt. It was clear. Loud and clear. We were to adopt Holly, a two-year old West Highland Terrier, who needed a new home and new family.
While I was obedient to the Lord and adopted Holly, I went through several days of grieving this “death to self”. I cried. I groaned. It was the “groaning cry”. I didn’t want a dog. Couldn’t God ask a woman who loves dogs to adopt a dog? I had a complaining attitude for a few days and felt insulted by God. My pride and my “ugly” questioned God: “This is how you want me to spend my time? Taking care of a dog? I don’t even like dogs.” I was insulted. God had hurt my feelings.
I wrestled with God. I wrested some more. Then, His Word came to me and I surrendered. He won. Him winning means that, though I was spent, I was resting in His loving, gentle everlasting arms. In His arms, I was refreshed. My heart, perspective and attitude were renewed.
“Then the word of the LORD came to me: ‘The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it.'” (Zechariah 4:9) His Word came to me. Adopting Holly was an act of obedience to the Lord and honoring my husband’s heart. As I pray continually that He would establish the work of my hands, I know that somehow taking care of Holly is contributing to building the foundation of our home, our family. My hands want to complete that work with joy, even if that means decades of labors of love taking care of Holly.
“Who despises the day of small things? Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.'” (Zechariah 4:10) Oh, I don’t want to despise the days of small things. I want to enjoy and relish the days of small things. My heart is thankful for small things. So thankful to the Lord. My heart is thankful for Holly. She is a sweet dog who adds such joy to the family.
“The Bible is God’s plumb line on Himself and on truth!” Kay Arthur (Precepts Ministries) God’s Word is our plumb line. His truth keeps us straight up. His Word cultivates and measures vertical depth. I want my family to rejoice because they see God’s Word in my hands every day. They see a difference in my heart and life because I am steeping myself in God’s Word. I want His plumb line in my heart and my hands.
A daily and continual prayer of mine is that He would establish the work of my heart and my hands each day. (Psalm 90:17) I never imagined that taking care of a dog would be on God’s list of things He had for me to do. However, it is. The small things.
Does having a dog change the landscape of my daily life? Yes, it does. Does caring for Holly carefully and lovingly mean adjusting my schedule every day? It certainly does. Is taking care of Holly different than the things on my own “How I’d Like To Serve The Lord List”? Yes, it absolutely is different.
But God has asked me to do it. He’s given me small things. Small, beautiful, meaningful things.
So, my heart and my hands are tending to the small things. Literally. Holly weighs about 16 pounds. And the miracle through God’s big love: I do love Holly. (I am still not a dog lover, but I love our dog! That alone is the Lord’s heart work!) I miss her when she is not near me. I get excited to see her when we have been away from home for several hours of the day. God has given me a love for this sweet, small dog. I do not despise His assignment for me. I do not despise Holly. Rather, I am grateful for His tenderness and faithfulness toward me. I am thankful for the joy Holly has brought to our home, our children and our family…and me.
The day of small things. My heart is content.
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much…”
Luke 16:10
“The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”
Proverbs 19:23
“… be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'”
Hebrews 13:5
“For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”
Hebrews 11:10
Unknown says
AMEN! and AMEN!
I too am not a dog lover. But I love our dog.
Our children adore him and would truly be sad without him here. He has brought much joy to their precious hearts.
I understand your feelings and post!
Love and hugs,
Jill
Unknown says
Well, I am a dog person. And the sad thing is, you will not get "decades" to care for your sweet dog. The saddest part of caring for a dog is that their life is so much shorter than our own. About 10-15 yrs depending on the dog. I can't imagine my life without a dog in it. 🙂
So glad that God ministered to your heart. Your children will never forget the joy of having a dog in their life. And I suspect that you will not either. 🙂
Be blessed!!
Heather says
WHen I woke to this this morning, I think I actually did a happy dance. I am so thankful for your obedient heart, but also for the truth that springs forth from this expereience in your life. So beautifully articulated Sharon, but it reminds me that in my flesh there will be times when I will die to self, I will have to and His way will produce fruit I could not have imagined.
We love you and Holly 😉 and are so happy she has such a loving home with such an amazing family. You know I saw leopard print baggies the other day at Petco…just sayin' they may be in your future 🙂
Love you!
Heather
Mich says
Beautiful post.
Your children, including the four legged one are adorable.
Anonymous says
Cute post!