Yesterday we said goodbye to our loving dog, Molly.  She has been a stable part of our family for 14 years in our sometimes not-so-stable journey.  Just 1 year and 4 months ago we had to say goodbye to another faithful dog, Goldie. (http://www.trainupthechild.org/2009/12/07/when-a-pet-dies/ This is the first time in 29 years the Daws family has not had a dog!

Our friend, Steve, made this comment yesterday, “I think one of the reasons God gave us dogs (I mean besides cleaning up our spills) is to show us how to lay at your Master’s feet, enjoying simply being in His presence and then showing unconditional love (i.e. crazy, uncontrollable tail waggin’) when you hear His voice.  Here’s to Molly – role model.”

I love that analogy of our relationship to God.   As I grieve the loss of Molly’s unconditional love and tail waggin’ each time we called her name or came into her presence, I hope to be reminded of how God feels when I am not fulfilling the role I was created for -  ” to glorify and enjoy Him forever”.

Proverbs 16:4 The Lord has made all things for Himself

1 Tim. 6:17 . . .  God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

God made Molly for Himself,  but He gave her to us for 14 years to enjoy.  Thank you, God, for sharing!

Exodus 20:3
You shall have no other gods before Me.

Here’s a simple way to illustrate the meaning of this verse.  I used these cards with my children 30 years ago, so don’t laugh at the TV with rabbit ears   We made cards illustrating things we might be putting before God such as friends, money, and TV.

We also read from The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes, the Bible story recorded in Exodus 32:1-6 about when God’s people turned away from God and started praying to a golden calf that they had made.  We talked about how this caused God much sorrow,  just as it makes Him sad when we put other things or people before Him in our lives.

Let your children help make your own cards with pictures of things that tend to take your family’s time and attention away from God.  Place the cards face down and mix them up.   Then take turns choosing a card to see who picks God first.

God will give you all the things you need and enjoy if you give Him first place in your life and live as He wants you to. (Matthew 6:33)