Thursday, January 8, 2009

By Faith there is Hope

Hebrews 11:1 " Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."


My first older adopted dog was named Faith. A lovely GSD that we loved till she was 13. Upon our moving to the first farm house, we then agreed to adopt a 14 mo old black lab. She had been injured during training as a pup and the gentleman wanted a good farm home for her. Her name-Hope.


My mom and I were going through a year long bible study(did it for 5 years total) called-Bible Study Fellowship and we came to a discussion one week about one of my favorite passages in the bible-1 Corinthians 13. We joked for a long time about our next dog will have to be called Love. We had Sophie, Clairee, Addie, etc., but no Love. Then I took to really discussing the Corinthians chapter with my group.


We all know this chapter as it's the standard at weddings. 1Cor 13:13 "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." Oh how I figured that my greatest dog would be Love. I was wrong. What God was and is still trying to tell me is that Love is not the dog, but love is the greatest act that our canines show us. That bottomless devotion to us. Real love as Paul talks to the Corinthians is not just an emotion that we randomly throw around but it is a spiritual gift. Great faith, acts of dedication or sacrifice and miracle working power can produce little without love.


Though we all have our different gifts. Mine were Faith and Hope, it is selfish of me to want the greatest Love all to myself, for love is available to everyone.


Here's to a very Happy 14th Barkday to our Hope. May your couch never sag, may the puppies leave your toes alone and above all, may you be surrounded by love.



Later gators...

C

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Never mind it is about one of my most favorite animals ever, this is one of your greatest blogs. Well put and certain puts the Faith, Hope,and Love in true perspective.

Kathy and Kim Gibson said...

Well said Cindy! Happy Barkbay Hope girl...you are loved! kg

Frink Lemur said...

Happy Arf-day Hope! You're a big sweety!

Winjammin' said...

Happy Barkday baby girl!! I'm sure your humans will keep those pesky puppies from chewing on your toes so you can nap on your couch undisturbed. :)

Traci said...

aw, happy barkday Hope! :)

Holly said...

How sweet! Happy Barkday Miss Hope!

Sherilyn said...

Happy barkday, sweet girl! Hugs from all of us!