April 2, 2008

Baptized in a Fishpond

I’ve been gone more than usual lately working with Dani at her workshop. We’re out of the house at 7:30 am and home around 2:30pm. Though not long hours for the average worker, they are plenty long for a puppy’s bladder. To compensate for Ecclesi having to be in his crate all night and much of the day, I try to give him a treat each evening by taking him out for a spin. Yesterday we drove around town doing errands that only required a drive thru window and today we went to a nearby wildlife preserve. It proved to be doused with excitement.

Winding my way down the rough gravel road, we stopped at a beautiful fishing pond. The water was smooth as glass offering a double view of the sky and tree line set before us. After parking the car I let Ecclesi out to run free and then proceeded to coax Dani to do the same. Since she had grumbled and complained over the fact we'd left the house in the first place, I wasn’t surprised when she refused to get out. Perched in the car as if on strike, I left her door open so she could watch Ecclesi have his fun.

Skimming the ground like an industrial vacuum, he sniffed every stick, rock, tree, and bush. Then he found the pond! Approaching the water’s edge with cautious delight, he vigorously pawed at the water causing huge droplets to fly in the air. Discovering this massive amount of water had proven to be an unexpected joy and he was quick to bask in this dog's hog heaven.

Patting the water with increasing force, suddenly, as if the floor of the pond had dropped out from under him, he disappeared under water. Afraid to stray too far from Dani, I stood half way between the car and the pond with my eyes and mouth opened as wide as they could go. “Oh God. Help him surface! He’s only seven months old. He’s never had to swim before!” I’d always heard dogs automatically know how to swim, but could it be my little Ecclesiastes had been born without the DNA to swim? No one could know, but I was about to find out.

About the time it took for me to process these thoughts, my little sugar cookie with two chocolate chip eyes and a big prune nose immerged from the abyss. Paddling for his life, he swam in one tidy circle then straightened his course and headed for shore. After promptly unloading the excess water from his coat, he resumed vacuuming the land, no worse for the wear.

I think I witnessed a baptism today. Ecclesi was completely immersed in water and experienced a bit of heaven, I called on the name of the Lord as I watched, and we all left with big smiles on our faces! (Thank goodness for leather seats.)

Visit Nancy's Website: Olive Leaf Ministries

8 comments:

luvmy4sons said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Fran said...

Love seeing a new friend over at my blog!! Thanks for stopping by!

Sounds like a wonderful day and then I was not expecting the baptism at all! :)

Glad all is well! Have a wonderful weekend.

Blessings~
Fran

Kelley said...

Nancy,
What a beautiful dog you have! I have a yellow lab as well, Maggie. She is a year and a half old and HUGE! She is our first lab and she is awesome! I love the pictures of Ecclesiastes. I see you live in Lees Summit, I live in Overland Park. What a small world!

Have a great weekend,
Kelley

connie said...

Nancy,
I love Dog story's I love to watch explore, even if they get them selfs into a bit of trouble... My lttle Simon always sniffs something up his nose and then he sits there and snorts until he can it out...
Thank you for visiting my blog...
Connie

Cheryl Barker said...

Nancy, thanks for stopping over at my blog and for sharing the verse -- a very welcome touch! I've enjoyed looking at your blog and also your website. Very nice!

God bless!
Cheryl

Emmy said...

Thank you so much for your sweet note! I loved reading all about you! Your ministry sounds so powerful!
I hope you have a blessed day! Your puppy is precious! I love his name too!
God Bless- Emmy : )

TeriAnnElizabeth said...

Thank you so much for your sweet note on my blog! Now that I realize you are an author, I am humbled indeed by your kindness about my blogging.

I read the first page of your blog and then visited Olive Leaf Ministries.

What an amazing GOD filled story you have!! Your Dani - I can feel your heart so tender and poured out for what you know is a gift.

So strange you happened by my blog on that day. I had read a post on the LPM blog from a woman asking to remember the autistic children. She was the mother of an autistic child and she said this was the month to remember Autism.

I so wanted to say something to her...I couldn't because she posted anonymously! I so wanted to acknowledge and pray with and for her. My daughter has been working with autistic children and she so loved it! She had helped me understand some of the things I didn't know.

Then you said "hi" and I now get a chance to say, May Our Father bless you mightily in what you do. You and your family and sweet Dani.

You keep being an encourager. You wear "the coat of The King's Daughter" so well

Prayers and blessings,
Teri

Nicole said...

Nancy,
Thanks for the kind words and commenting on my blog...nurses have a profound connection that few other professions can match.

I have a 10 month-old Westie-Bichon mix (also referred to as a wee-chon)...her personality is best described as a friendly digger. I thoroughly enjoyed your story. You are a gifted writer!
Blessings to you,
Nicole in Michigan