Last night before going to bed, I sat for a few minutes with Onyx, our black lab. She loves, loves, loves to sit next to me and most of the time she is as still as can be. However, it rained really hard off and on yesterday and she hates storms. All of a sudden she started licking her feet. When she does this, she makes the most annoying sound ever, and it absolutely puts me over the edge! I had to get up and go to bed!
It bothers me so much, that I thought about it first thing this morning. I remarked to Harold, “Why in the world do you think Onyx licks her paws sometimes?’
” I guess she is anxious, ” he replied.
“What in the WORLD does she have to be anxious about? She has a warm place to live, good food, companionship (including canine, feline, and human), and she is dearly loved! How could she possibly be anxious?”
Funny, it is so easy for me to see the ludicrousness of my dog’s anxiety. This morning I saw it in myself. I said to Harold, “Hmm, that must be how the Lord views my anxiety!”
He must think, “Why is she so anxious? I have promised ‘I will never leave her or forsake her'” (Hebrews 13:5). “I have loved her with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to her” (Jeremiah 31:3). I told her not to be anxious saying,”‘What shall I eat?’ or ‘What shall I drink?’ or “What shall I wear?’ Her heavenly Father knows that she needs them all. Don’t be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself” (Matthew 6:31-32, 34). Finally I told her, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4: 6-7).
Forgive me, Father, when I am doing the equivalent of Onyx’s paw licking. Thank you for letting me see this spiritual truth through the actions of my beloved pet. Just as I can see through my eyes and limited understanding the ridiculousness of Onyx’s anixety, how much more can the God of the universe view mine. In the precious, holy name of Jesus, Amen.
It Is What It Is 