Puppy Phase

First-ever puppy parent here.

I am in awe at how God designed puppies to refresh our infant/toddler parenting skills.

The constant watching, that is if you don’t want your whole house chewed up or stinky with pee and poop.

The high need for attention. We have a smart pup. We had two smart boys. I get it. I remember now. Vary the stimulation, or the smart ones get bored. Change it up, or the ornery bugs get into something they shouldn’t.

When our boys were little, I had a double stroller. We walked a lot.

Walking has been a saving grace for me and my mental health way before I ever knew what grace was.

Unfortunately, our new pup has no idea how to walk on a leash yet.

Right away, God revealed that I was hanging tightly to my own expectations. I believe I even mentioned to Jason that first day we brought our pup home, “Oh I guess I can’t take him to a park to walk.” Jason kindly reminded me not to give up on that thought. This puppy phase is temporary.

There is hope. You who read my blog know what comes next, With God, there is always hope.

We will virtually meet our trainer tomorrow night. Personally, I can’t wait. I am in need of someone with more dog training expertise to guide me, as I am with Rocko the most.

Meet Rocko Dibble, the newest member of our family. This was his first ride to his new home:

I am in awe of how God designed little people and little pups to humble us, to remind us the world is not about us and our wants.

There is always someone smaller who needs big amounts of our love, grace and forgiveness (for the naughty times).

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Oh and yes, I have asked for forgiveness a couple times already. I am a loved human, but I can get weary learning new things. For the past four days, all the Dibble humans have been trying to find our new normal.

Puppies remind us life is messy. I have picked up mega amounts of puppy poop, cleaned pee accidents (thanking God for all those carpet cleaner scientists right now), and removed some gross outside things from Rocko’s mouth.

(We bought Rocko a brand new comfy bed, but he just wants to eat it. We put it away until he gets older).

Nobody has a clean heart (Jeremiah 17:9). Not one of us.

When Rocko does something he is not supposed to do, I wonder how many times a day I do things I am not supposed to do in God’s eyes. I must pay closer attention to my sin.

When Rocko climbs into my lap, looks up at me with his puppy brown eyes, I am overwhelmed with the love of God who knew all the reasons we needed this pup. God knows all the ways this pup will help us grow.

Whether patience ( I need a lion’s share, Lord)

whether praying more often (if Rocko could talk, he would tell you how he and Mommy pray for puppy friends and their humans and for puppies who need a loving home)

whether fully submitting to our Creator (Lord, I need to make more time for just You. I miss You) …

… God will use this puppy phase, just like He uses all things, for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

God made no mistakes when He made puppies. He made no mistakes when He made you.

Though God gave us humans dominion over the animals, let us not be fooled to think we are in control (Proverbs 29:11).

As God looks down at us and our pups from His throne in heaven, He is looking for our hearts to remain tethered to Him, bowed down before Him:

Come let us bow down in worship

Let us kneel before the Lord, Our Maker

For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care (Psalm 95:6-7).

Oh Lord, Help me to walk in Your light, in Your ways, as I parent young Rocko. Lord, draw me near even when I am worried about the next potty time. For You, Lord, are my first love. I thank You for Your peace that flows like a river. I thank You for Your stability, the rock-solid foundation You have revealed to me, that which I didn’t know when Braedon and Jackson were little. I praise Your holy name! In Jesus name, Amen

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Welcome to all new readers here! Thank you to those who have hung with me for awhile now. I have SO many things to do, but writing this blog was important to me. I needed to hear the words He gave, just as I pray He is giving you what you need.

Have a beauty-full day, whatever is left of it.

In His love and for His glory,

Julie