DOG...GOD

This evening I found myself overcome with sadness.  There was no particular reason for this.  The end of the weekend is always a little bit sad because I won't be getting to see or spend time with my husband as much during the week and that's just hard to handle sometimes.  I will continue to sit at home and look for jobs and he will be at work doing his own job.  But I digress. 

Many who know me are aware of the fact that I am a very physical person - and by this I mean I love to be touched, hugged, snuggled, "pet" (this one is for my family), etc.  I find great comfort in touch and I generally tend to need it more than others around me.  So it was a wonderful thing when I was taking my bath and told my husband I was sad and he let me crawl in bed next to him while he put his arm around me, stroked my hair, told me he loved me, and quietly continued to read his book.  And then, our "baby" (translation = youngest dog), Chandler, jumped up to join us.  He snuggled right in next to me as we both rested our heads on John's chest and I wrapped my arms around him (the dog_ and held him tight.  He didn't miss a beat.  He never does.

It never ceases to amaze me how tuned in my dogs are to my emotions.  I never have to say a word, they just know I'm upset, something isn't right, and that I need them at that exact moment.  It never fails.  EVER.  It's pretty awesome how God entrusted us with these beautiful animals to take care of that meet so many of our (my) needs on a daily basis.  I think this shows a huge part of the heart of God and His love for us.  Like dogs, God knows our hearts and knows when we need to be comforted and loved and just does it.  Unconditionally, by the way.  Just like my precious animals.  I would be terribly lonely without them to comfort me, lay beside me, play with, pet, and love.  No one greets me the way they do, comforts me the way they do, or loves and appreciates me the way they do.  Except God, because they are a part of His heart He has decided to share.  What a blessing these precious creatures are! 

This is not to say I am not comforted by other means, but my dogs are some of the very best comfort God has to offer and I would really be missing out if I didn't have them in my life.  Thank you, Lord, for these priceless treasures you allow me to watch over and thank you for entrusting me with their lives.  Amen. 

Below I've posted a link to a clever little song about God and Dog, I hope you take time to enjoy it and smile and that you give thanks for your animals and the heart of God they keep. 

Blessings of Comfort,

Maureen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17edn_RZoY

Thoughts for the day

I haven't blogged in awhile since I've been sick and then out of town.  I've missed it!  I'm feeling much better now, though, and had a nice visit with my family and friends in Norman that lifted my spirits.  However, today I am feeling a little lonely and restless.  It was so nice to wake up and be around people who love me and take care of me - not that my husband doesn't, but he leaves for work early in the morning and then it's just me and the puppies.  They provide me with comfort, but not the same as being around people when I need them to stimulate me.

I think a part of these things I experience are due to the fact that I am currently unemployed.  I feel purposeless some days and like I'm just treading water.  This wasn't a choice I got to make but I am looking every day for something new to do that will meet our financial needs and maybe fulfill some of my social needs.  I pray for the right job at the right time, I just haven't found it yet.  Another obstacle in the job hunt has been that I am a RN but I don't like my career.  It's hard to know what you want to do with your life when you don't know what you like.  So, for now, I've decided to just look for a job as a nurse off of the floor (no hospitals) to pass the time and help provide for our family and pay off some debt.  This has also proven to be a challenge as there aren't as many jobs available outside of the hospital as there are in - and the jobs that are available outside have requirements that I don't meet in terms of experience.  I've found this to be frustrating and disheartening at times, but I'm not giving up.
I guess this just leads me into feeling restless.  I do what I can with what I have and sometimes it feels like it's not enough and that I'm not getting anywhere.  It's hard to stay focused when I feel this way so I try and distract myself with other things like our debt free journey, planning for the baby, and cooking dinner for my husband.  There are things that I just have to accept are out of my control and I can't let myself focus on them and let it bring me further down in my depression.  Refocusing is so hard for me right now, though.
 
There's not much else for me to say today, I just felt like sharing some things that have been on my mind lately.  No major themes, just thoughts.  Here's to moving forward, one step at a time.

Maureen