Shepherds @ MindSay 
I went to the Pet Expo at the Orange County fair grounds this past weekend and was lucky enough to speak with the German Wirehaired Pointer breeder from Norco. We talked for a long time, and she even offered me a potentially great 12 month old bitch. I just about melted but knew I needed to obey my mom's orders for the house. I told her my interest, and how sorry I was that I couldn't take it, but left rather disappointed. I have brought it up countless times around the house and plan to still do it. Now that I am almost set on a breed, I have decided to be absolutaly sure.
I created this list of dogs I potentially can look into, but I think I might be just about decided, for the time being.
I'll first start off with the breed I am most used to:
Shetland Sheepdog:
Pros:
Cons:
Just about everyone is somewhat familiar with Psalm 23, although this is a slightly different version than you may be used to.
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD (New Century Version)
The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in green pastures. He leads me to calm water.
He gives me new strength.
He leads me on paths that are right for the good of his name.
Even if I walk through a very dark valley, I will not be afraid, because you are with me.
Your rod and your walking stick comfort me.
You prepare a meal for me in front of my enemies.
You pour oil on my head; you fill my cup to overflowing.
Surely your goodness and love will be with me all my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
A psalm of David.
Sometimes, it's the simplest concepts that are the most difficult to grasp. Or, perhaps it's that the concept keeps growing, adapting, or evolving as I walk through this life. I don't often write in detail about my beliefs simply because they are mine, and I'm sure, as such, they are unique to me in some ways. The concepts within this Psalm, or poem, if you will, are among those that have grown with me since I was a little girl.
We don't see too many shepherds these days in the US, but I had the pleasure on numerous occasions in both Alaska and Germany of observing shepherds. In fact, our apartment in Zirndorf was quite close to a field frequented by shepherds at work with their sheep. Being the "observer" I am, I often walked over to this park with my dog (who was carefully watched by the sheep dogs) to get a closer look at their operation.
As a parent, we can grasp the concepts of wanting to give our children the very best opportunities, to provide for every need, and to surround them with loving encouragement and protection everyday. We, however, do not always have that ability. Now, I'm sure that some of you have some "Buts" ... and I don't have answers for all the buts ... What I do know, and of this I am more and more confident everyday, God's "BUT" is bigger than any "buts" we can come up with. I won't try to define God for you, because He's also big enough to define Himself to you, but the chorus of this song is ...
I am overwhelmed by love
Overtaken by Your mercy
Lord Your goodness without end
Will be the house in which I dwell
Give a listen ...
~ B
I can't sleep. Not that I'm surprised, as it IS Christmas, a day when I traditionally wake up shortly after midnight...
The house is lovely. The children are nestled, all snug in their beds, while the visiting puppy rests her little head. But for me...no rest. I just cannot quiet my mind.
So I'm up, with iced tea and a manuscript.
And with another story, found in Luke's gospel, second chapter:
I guess one reason I'm up is the let-down. Silly, isn't it? The presents are still wrapped. Christmas dinner hasn't even been started, obviously. Yet, somewhere in my insides, I feel a drop in anticipation. As if the celebration is already over and all that is left is the marathon of a day where I only want to sleep.
Silly, at a quarter to three, I know.
I know it's silly and it's also wrong. Because, you see, there shouldn't be a let-down. As we can learn from Scripture, finding baby Jesus is only the first little bit of the story. What keeps the momentum going is how shepherds – uneducated but wise in the most basic ways – praised God and told all they had seen what had just happened.
The birth of a very special king warrants such enthusiasm.
So now...oddly enough...as I type this, I smile to myself. There should be no let down on Christmas morning. Instead, it should be the beginning of a new "act." The next chapter.
The Lord my God is extremely cool. And merciful. I was down and a little dumpy, sitting here in a flannel granny gown with my hair in pigtails and iced tea. Now, I am smiling, because he has guided me to a story I know well, but hadn't dipped into, fully. Again. God is alive, his word is alive, and I am so blessed to be in his family.
Christmas isn't "over" just because it is the 25th. It isn't "over" because the anticipation gives way to celebration. It isn't "over" because it's only the beginning of a wonderful, wonderful life.
And now, with my manuscript, tea, and most excellent pillow, I can remember to celebrate this life without the "post-holiday let-down."
Yay, God!