We have two older dogs. We've had them ten years and they know our routine. They sleep until my son gets up around 7:30am to feed them. This works perfectly for me by allowing me to get ready for my day then sit and have my quiet time.
A few weeks ago my son adopted a three month old puppy. The cutest little thing ever! This puppy, cute as he is, does not care about my routine or my quiet time. Clear from the opposite end of the house, when he hears my feet hit the floor in the morning, he's wide awake and in desperate need of attention. The longer I leave him in that kennel in hopes of him staying there until my son wakes, the louder his whines get...and the bigger mess he leaves.
I am left with two options: leave him there where he will interrupt my quiet time with pitiful whimpers. Or, let him out and feed him. I've been doing the latter. Sounds easy enough right?
Let me remind you, he is three months old. Not only is he young and full of energy, he likes to be right by your side at all times. So this little bundle of fury joy jumps on my lap, tries to nibble the edge of my Bible, demands I pet his head, and tries to steal my pen. Just take a look:
I could easily be frustrated. I could give up on my quiet time. Instead, I choose to flex and flow. I choose to be flexible and just go with the flow. Pat his head, move him for the tenth time, giggle at his energy, and pry my pen away.
This season of puppy raising feels much like those years in early motherhood. Those days of having to adjust my regular routine. To adapt to my current situation. To be determined to not give up no matter how challenging it might be.
If you have to adjust your time of day, do it! If you have to change your location, do it! What's important isn't the time or location. What's important is that you just spend time with God! It can be in the morning on the couch, at lunch in your car, in the afternoon on the porch, at bedtime in bed. Whatever it is, just be with God.
Friend, whether you are raising little ones, working way too many hours, caring for an elderly parent, or training a rambunctious puppy, don't give up! Flex and flow. It is all going to be okay.
The link up service we previously used now places ads on the link up. Some of the ads do not follow with our faith and we felt it was inappropriate. In order to remove the ads, we must pay and as a ministry with no income, we are not able to do that. So we are changing our link up! Each Wednesday we'd like to invite you to leave a link to your latest blog post in the comments. We still desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories.
What a great idea to circumvent a problem that seems to be everywhere!
ReplyDeleteHere's my post: https://michelemorin.wordpress.com/2019/01/31/the-challenge-of-womens-work-and-the-great-commission/
Blessings to you!
Michelle, thank you for stopping in and sharing your link! ♥
DeleteSuch a good suggestion - flex and flow - the way to maintain a consistent devotional time.
ReplyDeleteHere's my post today >> http://www.joanneviola.com/2019/02/girls-club/
Have a great Wednesday everyone!
Joanne, thank you for sharing your link! ♥
DeleteFlex and flow is the way to go.
ReplyDeleteHere's a link to my post In Sickness AND In Health Till Death Do Us Part https://yvonnechase.com/sickness-health-death/
Yvonne, I love your rhyme! ;) Flex and flow is the way to go! Thank you for sharing your link!
Delete"It is all going to be okay." That's a great mantra that we as Christians can all follow. Thanks, Jenifer. (I finally figured out that it was my browser, Safari, that wasn't allowing me to leave comments. So I switched browsers and it allows me to post here again. Go figure. lol.)
ReplyDeleteHere is my link to "When Hope Feels Dangerous"
https://www.lisanotes.com/hope-feels-dangerous/
Lisa, I am so glad you are able to comment now! Thank you for sharing your link! ♥
DeleteWhat an adorable little puppy! "It's all going to be OK" is a wonderful attitude for life. I recommend it. Way to flex and flow with the link up too! Here is my link:
ReplyDeletehttps://meditationsinmotion.wordpress.com/2019/02/04/spirituality-and-religion-freedom-and-rules/
Yes we did flex and flow in this link up! ;) Thank you for sharing your link! ♥
DeleteYes - I remember those days of having very young children. My time with the Lord just couldn't work like it did when in college or single or newly married. But learning to flex and flow, as you put it, is a great help. It's often a challenge, but it's a worthy one. My post this week is a tribute to my mother-in-law, who recently passed away: https://barbarah.wordpress.com/2019/02/04/a-tribute-to-my-mother-in-law/.
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful we can flex and flow in these difficult times. Thank you for sharing your link and for a beautiful tribute to your mother-in-law. ♥
DeleteSuch a cute puppy! May the Lord bless!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.legacyhomeschoolreflections.com/blog/
Thank you for leaving your link! ♥
DeleteNot only do we get to link up but we get to leave you a comment! Flexxing and flowing is the way I want to walk this walk. I like the words. They seem easy to pick up and run with too in my mind. I will see your Dalmatian sitting there to remind me!! At Being Woven, the new post is "He Had Come From God" -
ReplyDeletehttps://beingwoven.org/2019/02/04/he-had-come-from-god/
Yes, we love your comments! ♥ I, too, want to live flexing and flowing. Thank you for leaving a link! ♥
DeleteWhat a great idea to overcome the problem with ads. My little Pomeranian, Selah, is an active participant as well. :)
ReplyDeleteMy latest article is about fighting back against the enemy's tactics to overwhelm us with worry, fear and anxiety so he can steal our peace. https://drmichellebengtson.com/how-to-control-worry-fear-and-anxiety-to-keep-your-peace/
We are flexing and flowing even in blogging. ;) I am so thankful I am not alone with a quiet time furry buddy. :) Thank you for leaving a link. ♥
DeleteOh My goodness, he is too cute! I love how you talk about flex and flow. I am very routined especially while my kids are in school. Lately, though, my routine has been very off. We are remodeling and their is no quiet place in the house. Not to mention the many times I get called away from my desk to look at something or go pick something up. I reallly need to take your flex and flow advice, lol. Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOh remodeling definitely requires much flexing and flowing! :) Thank you for stopping in! ♥
DeleteSorry I just saw about the Link Up. My latest post is about submission, and I would love it if you would check it out.
ReplyDeletehttp://keepingthetiethatbinds.com/2017/09/16/i-am-a-submissive-wife/
Thank you for leaving your link! ♥
DeleteHow I could have left the church and God but instead my faith was strengthened and I learned a valuable lesson that God loves even the person who wronged me just as much as he does me and gives them the same opportunity to learn, repent and grow. http://anordinarymom.site/finding-faith-in-the-storm/
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your link! ♥
DeleteI really enjoy reading all the articles here. Thank you. I hope you enjoy reading this article I wrote on knowing what God wants of us... https://mcwglenys.blogspot.com/2019/02/what-does-god-want-me-to-do-now.html
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping in and leaving your link! ♥
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