Little Guidance

The bickering.

The arguing.

They have the same toys.

The same treats.

You would think by now they would have learn how to share or play with their own toys.

I had enough of the crying and arguing and reach down and took the chewy from both my dogs.

We have a 4 month old puppy name Murphy.

Buster is the oldest by 8 months old and you would think they were toddlers except with hair everywhere and a tail.

Buster, our older dog, could be minding his own business and within seconds, get bowled over by Murphy, or quietly trying to enjoy his chewy, only to have Murphy within inches of him, barking in a high pitch yelp.

It didn’t matter they have the same set of toys or chews. They want what the other one has.

There were quite a few times, I’ve expected Buster to just go up to Murphy and go, ”Look, you have a chew right at your feet yourself, leave me alone”.

That hasn’t happen-yet.

Buster, being the big brother just puts up with Murphy for as long as he can before letting out a heavy sigh and moving on to something else.

It’s not Murphy’s fault.

He’s just a young puppy with lots to learn and I can’t help but wonder if Buster picks up on that. I’ve seen times when Buster is outdoors, barking ferociously at the air, and then stop and look behind him, as if he is looking for Murphy.

If Murphy wasn’t there, Buster would stop and wait for Murphy to catch up before resuming the agonizing barking. I think Buster was trying to show Murphy the ropes of what to do or just trying to drive me crazy or both.

How many people do we know in our lives that are like that?

New to the faith and in some ways, we wonder why they just don’t get it yet or base what they know on what we already know without giving them a chance to learn on their own.

There are a lot of people in the body of Christ that are new and can use a mentor not only to just guide them, but to let them know, it’s okay; We’re all on different levels in our walk with God and it doesn’t make us one better or one worse than the other.

Now when I say being a mentor, I don’t mean teaching someone new to the faith, how to fetch or run into the backyard and start barking at the air, but really taking the time to just lend a hand and help guide them in their new walk.

People may have wonder why we didn’t just get it either, but instead of making a quick judgment call, sometimes it helps to just extend a helping hand, and with scripture in tow, listen and hear what they are really saying.

I could imagine how our Heavenly Father might chuckle at us when we are on fire and quick to serve Him a little too quick in our walk, that we may not realize that rather than being helpful…our words may sound more like a high pitch bark instead.

1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Murphy and Buster are doing a little better now.

Murphy has stop barking at Buster and I think it’s safe to take out the earplugs.

Buster found another chew and let Murphy have his, so now the two of them are both happily working toward the same goal of eating up the chew and I’m sure, later on, I’ll find a remnant of it in my shoe or under the bed. Did I mention Buster thinks he is a cat sometimes?

There are many times in my own walk, I feel so spiritually immature and weak compared to others that I look up to that person or persons in awe and pray I could be so in tune with our Heavenly Father like they are.

I wonder, if I sound to those who are more further in their walk than me, like Murphy must sound like Buster. I am humbled deeply, when someone comes to me for guidance and I lead, half in fear, that I have no idea what I’m doing, but then remember, I was in their shoes at one time. It’s not time to flex my muscles, but instead be humble and just lend a help and help them in their walk to.

I don’t think Buster worries about that problem when he is showing Murphy the ropes so how could I? It’s about being an encourager and helping each other grow. No where have I found that it’s every one for themselves.

Our Heavenly Father calls out to all of us in Hebrews 10:24-And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

It’s so important if you are new to the faith, returning to the faith, or whatever the circumstances that you are in, or at that point in your life, to find others to connect with, to speak with and more than anything to encourage each other and be encouraged. We all need someone and we are no better than the other.

Hebrews 10:25-Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

It’s not about where we are in our walk that is important, or really our own personal views. It’s about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that is unique and personal to each and every one of us.

Buster is 8 months older than Murphy, but I think there is an innate sense that he is no better or less than Murphy. Maybe he remembers at one time, he was in the same shoes as Murphy was, or maybe all he cares is that he gets fed, loved and the best spot to sleep.

Whatever is the case, I do know, at least in the human world, it’s not about who is better or more learned or more accomplished and that what matters isn’t how many letters we have behind our name, how much money is in our bank (though that sometimes helps paying the bills), or how many times we have read the bible.

Instead, it’s about the most important thing in the world, “Do we or do we not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and if we don’t, would we like to hear how we can” and how we can encourage each other in our walk instead of discourage each other.

Philippians 2:3-5
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.Questions to Reflect on:

In what ways can you think of, that you can reach out to others who might be new to the faith, returning to the faith, or just in a general walk with God and help encourage their personal relationship with Jesus Christ?

Think back to a time when you were new to the faith and how you once felt. Remember who was it that was your mentor and how can you be a mentor to someone else?

Looking back at, 1 Thessalonians 5:11”-Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing”, challenge yourself this coming week to reach out not only to those you do know, but look for non-familiar faces at church and around your normal routine, and find ways to encourage someone you don’t know yet, in their life.

Heavenly Father, I pray that You keep challenging me to push myself out of my comfort zone, to seek faces I don’t know but You call for me to know, to encourage them in their walk with Jesus Christ and if they don’t know Christ yet, find ways to let them know that they too are special to Him and that You strive to have that personal relationship with them.

Lord, I pray that You help me find people in my own life to keep me encourage, convicted and humble and help me in my spiritual walk and growth. I’m a human being; A very imperfect human being who stumbles and falls and I pray that I can be guided in my own walk because I know there are times I feel like I’m only tripping over my own feet and could use some help.

And Father, I particularly pray that You keep me humble and in Your word and remind me it’s not about what I do know, but rather what I don’t know which is a lot and about everything. Pray, keep me from allowing pride and self-righteous lead me to be un-loving and judgmental and I pray I have the humility to remember that we are all on different walks with You and we don’t have all the answers…You and ONLY You do.

In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

Join Twinkle Mom daily at, Sunflower Faith, where she daily journals her life and the occasional escapades of her dogs known as "Double Trouble".