Mornings with Miley

 By Andrea Boeshaar

When I get up in the morning, it's all about my dog. My back can hurt, my fibro can flare, but it's all about Miley. A yellow lab, she's so happy that I've managed to get my body out of bed. With her tail wagging she reminds me that the first order of business is fixing her morning meal. After she laps up her breakfast, it's time to take her outside where I stand on the back stoop and throw the Frisbee to her come rain, snow, or frigid temps. 

Sometimes I wonder if my neighbors whisper about the woman (me) who goes outside and into her back yard wearing jammies, boots, her winter coat. Cane in hand, this strange lady trudges around the yard after her hyper dog. (Hey, in the summer, I'm in jammies, a bathrobe, and have  my coffee in hand!)

Miley will be three years old this April and as she ages she's become more protective of my husband and me and our home. She has a ferocious bark that can make the UPS driver leave deliveries at the end of the driveway. But what impresses us the most is the unconditional love our pet shows us. As I muse this Friday morning, I find myself wishing I could show the Lord Jesus Christ that same level of devotion. 

So why can't I?

I guess there's no excuse for not being diligent about studying my Bible and praying, but I'll admit to getting distracted far too often. The cares of this life can weigh on my oh-so-human mind and then the sin of worry creeps in. But if I can just remember to take my beloved dog's approach and joyfully sit at Jesus's feet, look up into his glorious face, and say, "Feed me. Take care of my needs today." I believe He will do it. If He cares about even one small sparrow, how much more does He care for us?