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Stop and Smell the Bears
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Stop and Smell the Bears
By Belle Touchton
The Missionary Dog
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. Ps 23:2-3 NIV
Why is Mommy always in a rush? Doesn’t she understand that life was meant to be lived one sniff at a time? We live in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is full of lovely smells. Squirrels, deer, raccoons, chipmunks, cats, dogs, and even a bear play in our yard. God would not have given me such glorious smells if He hadn’t wanted me to take the time to enjoy them. Would someone tell Mommy to stop rushing me?
“Belle!” Mommy demands. “Walk! Hurry up and walk!”
I keep sniffing. I know I’m supposed to mind Mommy but she doesn’t understand. If I hurry up and walk, she’ll make me come inside. I’ll never get to stop and smell the bears. Life is too short to miss the bears.
Mommy is not the only human who rushes. You know who you are! Mommy and I travel all over the country and I see you. When you walk, you usually stare straight ahead and rush. When you drive and have to stop for a red light, why do you stare at the light? You can’t make it change. Why not look around and enjoy the world?
I wish you could see what I see. Did you know that if you look into the eyes of a homeless person, you can tell they’re good at giving hugs? By the way – they smell good too. Sometimes I bark just to try to get you to look up. You couldn’t really want to miss the birds, squirrels, and butterflies. Did you know that tiny flowers peek their heads through cracks in the sidewalk? Sometimes a mouse is hiding behind a rock hoping that snake doesn’t see him. Spiders catch flies and children play hopscotch. God sends adventures everywhere and most people miss them.
God said to take the time to lie down in green pastures. I don’t just lie down in green pastures, I stretch out and roll over and over. Sometimes Mommy gets mad about that too but I listen to God. He knows what feels good. God promised to lead us to still waters and restore our souls. Bears go to those still waters to drink. Maybe God leads us to still waters so we can stop and smell the bears.
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Belle’s mommy is Cheryle M. Touchton. Cheryle is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries and known as the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady. She and the Missionary Dog Belle travel the country as missionaries. For more information or to schedule a speaker for an event, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org.
This ministry exists because people like you are called to help fund the work of the kingdom. To help keep Belle the Missionary Dog and the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady on the road leading people to Christ, you can donate at Donate
Copyright: Pocket Full of Change Ministries
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