Do you see that big black area, like a black hole in space? That’s my dog, Shadow. At night time wherever she is sleeping, we have to be sure we keep a small light on or you cannot see her! She is literally invisible! We’re always afraid someone will trip over her and be seriously hurt. Let me bring the camera in for a closer shot.
Can you see her now? She’s very camera shy. She’s the hardest dog I ever seen to get good pictures of. When you point a camera at her, including all phones, her ears go down. She weighs in at 100 very solid pounds. Her mother was Labrador Retriever and her father was German Shepherd. (But she mostly looks Lab, and loves the water like a Lab also.)
My daughter had purchased a pup from the litter and by the time I got around to checking into it, there was only one pup left, and they had nicknamed her “Hoss”, because she had such a tremendous appetite! I guess that’s why she grew so large. She grew considerably larger than my daughter’s dog.
Shadow is my partner at Tumble Pigeon Farm as we are developing the Teepee and everything else. And just like the way she is curled up on the floor by my side as I write this article, she “shadows” me everywhere! She is my constant companion. Shadow is the perfect name for her. Every where I go, she quietly follows.
When I was painting the Teepee, of course she was right there. She ended up with white paint on her black fur and an orange spot on her nose!
This week has been a really tough one around here. After shoveling snow at the farm I got very sick. I ran a fever on and off for three days. I coughed so hard and deep I thought my toe nails would come up! I missed two days work and also had to delay a job interview at a Pet Store. If you follow this Blog you know I’m trying to move my life towards Whitestown Indiana, where we are building a spiritual retreat. We’ve also had wind chills way below zero and people’s pipes freezing. Its been really tough. Fortunately, my pipes have survived all this, and with as sick as I have been, I’m so thankful they have.
But today I was supposed to make that job interview after having delayed it. I was a mess as I crawled out of bed. I had not shaved or showered in three days. I’ve had very little appetite. I was weak from lack of food, no energy, still have some cough, especially if I breathe that cold air, and somehow I had to get to this interview? Could I possibly pull myself together enough to do a good interview? I was seriously worried.
Why is God’s will so hard sometimes? Am I sure this is God’s will? My heart says it is, but why is everything against me? If I were to simply go by the signs around me, I’d be convinced I must be on a wrong path, but my heart still says go! So by faith, I will.
I rose early and it took me hours to get ready. I managed to down an egg on toast and some coffee, and it actually tasted good. I got my vehicle warmed up and headed to the appointment. My coughing spasms have greatly decreased, thank goodness, but I did this interview entirely by prayer and faith. I was hired on the spot and begin training this next week. I won’t be pushing wheelchairs at the Airport much longer. My physical circumstances did not prevent God’s will from going forward, as long as I was still willing to step out in faith. (Even though I still feel lousy!)
Now I get to work in a field having to do with dogs, and other pets. I’m looking very forward to learning more about taking care of the health of my dog, Shadow. And soon we will begin preparing the shack we will move into on the farm. This will be the future part time home for Shadow and I, as we more and more develop Tumble Pigeon Farm.
So as my strength and health slowly returns, we continue in Faith Forward Motion that all these things shall be. Even though in my flesh I feel so very weak, my spirit man still burns with a vision that simply must be. It’s a beautiful vision. I have seen what I must do, and step by step we progress that way. Act III in my life will not be boring with such a vision to pursue.
Our progress may be slowed by such severe winter conditions as we are having, but progress is still progress. We are not discouraged by old age, sickness, freezing cold and snow, or anything of this physical realm. We have learned to walk by faith, and not by sight.
My wife has this virus too, and I told her, “Just focus on keeping breathing, dear. This thing will pass and bright skies will come again, if we just keep breathing, and then with that breath…live inspired!
Path Without End 