If you read my stories much at all then you probably already know that my mother and I pet sit my granddaughter’s pug, Allie. Dogs have always been a part of my life; especially pugs, which I have to say, are one of the keenest and kindest breeds God’s ever created. To know Allie is to love Allie. I say this because Allie’s so in tune … so super sensitive, to mine and my mother’s needs and moods. For instance, if I’m feeling tired or if I’m sick or I’m just having a flat out bad day … somehow, someway, Allie picks up on it … and she responds appropriately.
Frankly speaking, Mother and I love Allie. She’s our faithful companion and our fun-loving buddy. Even more than that, Allie’s a member of our family. And that’s why I let Allie sleep with me.
The other morning I woke up to discover Allie was awake. (Usually, she’s a late sleeper.) Allie was already sitting up and scattered near the foot of my bed were her toys. Come to find out while I’d slept … Allie had snuck out of my bed … and one toy at a time had carried her toys from her toy chest located in the den to my bedroom. Then, with the toy in her mouth she’d jumped up on my bed and deposited the toy at the foot of my bed. In fact, she’d emptied the entire contents of her toy chest on the foot of my bed! Bless her little heart. It’s a wonder she hadn’t worn herself out while I slept.
Still lying in bed, I thought about the One who knows me like none other even knowing the intents and motives of my heart. I thought about the One who remains faithful to me even when I am faithless. I thought about the One whose loving-kindnesses and compassions toward me never fail. I thought about the One who loves me and who demonstrated his love toward me by giving his son to die for me while I was still a sinner. I thought about the One whose family I now belong.
Then I asked myself … “Am I willing to empty my “toy chest” at God’s feet? Better yet, am I willing to give God my all?”
How about you? Are you willing to give God your all?
The Disciples’ Reward
“Then Peter answered Him, saying, “Look, we have given up everything and followed You [becoming Your disciples and accepting You as Teacher and Lord]; what then will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, in the renewal [that is, the Messianic restoration and regeneration of all things] when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you [who have followed Me, becoming My disciples] will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first [in this world] will be last [in the world to come]; and the last, first.”—Matthew 19:27-30 (AMP)
“So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not [carefully consider the cost and then for My sake] give up all his own possessions.”—Luke 14:33 (AMP)
Footnotes: Luke 14:33 Jesus probably is referring to a willingness and commitment to do so when necessary. Discipleship does not require poverty.
Reader, is your appetite out-of-control? Have you tried to lose weight … but failed? Are you open to God’s help? If so, ‘Like’ my Facebook page: “Weight Loss Empowerment with Debra Joy” to receive updates on tips I’ve learned and so much more! Email: debra@debrawallace.com