The Dogs of Psalms 51

I went on a private retreat last week and when I got back I added two guest dogs to my lineup. This  means I had five dogs this weekend: three big ones, one medium and one small. When I took them for walks it was like a clown car with  dogs coming out every door. 

When it came time to take #4 home, I opened the car doors. Two went right in, the little one followed but then the comedy sketch of my life began. #4 wouldn’t go in while #3 was there so I opened up the back to get #3 to move so #4 would get in but while I was doing that #5 went on a walkabout. I got #4 in and went to get #5 when #4 came back out, so I got #5 in there. I went to shut the back and #5 came out again… It went on like this for an undisclosed amount of time and made me giddy with laughter. To top it off, I almost left the one who was going home at my house. 

I tell you this because the whole circus made me laugh and smile like I haven’t for a long time. It was something that would typically push me to the edge of oblivion but today, instead, it gave me delight. That’s when I knew, as Philip used to say, my spark was back.

I don’t know exactly how it came to be but my  Psalm 51 prayer was clearly answered:

Psalm 51:10,12
Create in me, a clean heart 
And renew a right spirit within me
Restore unto me, the joy of thy salvation
And renew a right spirit within me