 The focus on giving thanks this time of year finds me counting my blessings. It even brings a song to mind. It’s an old Paul Simon hit called, “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes.” When I think of someone who owns diamond-encrusted anything, I might be tempted to think, “Wow! That person has it all.” Then, when I consider diamonds on the soles of one’s shoes, well, that’s just over-the-top extravagance! It may seem great to think of yourself as possessing so much wealth. However, recently I caught a different view of being extravagantly blessed. It doesn’t involve any diamonds or material wealth at all. In fact, catching a glimpse of how blessed I am only cost me a sincere desire, the surrender of a few preconceived notions, $105, and a trip to my local humane society. Yes, another lesson from another dog. (Read my blogs about the lessons I’ve learned from Torque and Joey.) I’ve wanted a dog for a long time, but who? With so many rescue shelters in Colorado, and even in other states, how could I ever decide? Then I returned to one of my well-used prayers. I usually pray it to God while acknowledging Him as the Great Networker. In this case: “God, you know me, and you know every small detail in all of your vast spiritual creation in which I live. I trust You to keep me constantly companioned with just the right spiritual qualities, today and always.” Along with this prayer, I also threw out all preconceived notions about what I was looking for—not a really small dog (too yippy and nervous); not a really big dog (too rambunctious); not a really young dog (too energetic); not a really old dog (too tuckered out!) I thought about a passage from the chapter on Prayer in Mrs. Eddy’s book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. “Desire is prayer; and no loss can occur from trusting God with our desires, that they may be moulded and exalted before they take form in words and in deeds” (p. 1). I desired to have a new friend who was perfect for our house, and, in turn, who our house was perfect for. I trusted God to provide just the right companion for my home office life, which includes walking sometimes, and quietly reading sometimes. I also wanted our new family member to appreciate the kindness and affection my husband has to offer—even though he’s not home most of the day. I opened up my thought, and in came Lily! If I hadn’t thrown out those preconceived notions she’d be a little too small, a little too old, and a little too snaggle-toothed. But, she’s just right for us! Lily has taught me more about how God knows each of us intimately, loves us impartially, and never abandons any of us. Someone had put Lily in the night drop at the humane society; she had nothing with her—not even a name. And yet, God knew her very well and placed her right into our loving home. So, this Thanksgiving season, I get to look at the small, precious things that point to the magnificent, and all-encompassing nature of divine Love’s tenderness for all His beloved spiritual creation. Being a witness to Love makes me feel like Lily and I both have diamonds right on the soles of our feet! If you aren’t familiar with Paul Simon’s song, or you’d like to rediscover it, you can go over to my mountaintop moments page and watch the youtube video. Also, if you love the idea of helping out shelter dogs, run over to my mountaintop moments page and see a Missouri program that's helping dogs and kids!
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AuthorI hope these insights will inspire readers to think more spiritually about themselves and the world around them! Archives
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