Listen to My voice

Tonight was Emma's first obedience class. Well, we went last week, but this was the first week she got to come. And man was I nervous for her. J had to meet us there, and I talked to her the entire way there.

It's gonna be ok Em. There will be lots of doggies there, but Mommy and Daddy will be there, just listen to my voice Em.

I prayed with her in the car in the parking lot.

We waited for J to get there and boy was she excited to see him. Then they said, spectators to the side. Only one trainer. J said, go for it. So he went to the side, and I stayed with her.

We had to line up with the other dogs and "heel" down the asphalt. She got to go with the little dogs. She was so good. She walked with me and listened to my voice.

I cried when we got back and the big dogs took their turn, and I hugged her and told her how proud of her I was. I looked at my proud husband standing on the sidelines smiling, and I returned the smile through wet eyes.

Gosh I'm ridiculous.

I love my dog like I birthed her. Have I mentioned that? Just wait til I have kids.

The first day of kindergarten is gonna be rough.

Heck, the first day doing anything new is gonna be rough. Riding in a car seat. Sleeping in a big girl/boy bed. Going to the doctor. Crawling.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father...[The sheep] will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd." John 10: 14-16

Some days are rougher than others. Sometimes letting go is hard to do. Sometimes I have to trust that someone else knows better than me. Like these dog trainers. And my God.

He has a plan that is bigger and better than anything I could come up with on my own. He's shown himself to be faithful and true, when I listen to His voice. I am His sheep and He is my Shepherd. I need Him to lead me like Emma needs me to lead her. I need to hear His voice.

Thanks, God, for using my dog to remind me yet again of your simple truths.