Wag More, Bark Less

I’ve seen this great bumper sticker that says “Wag More, Bark Less.” I think it is terrific advice. What a better world this would be if we all wagged more and barked less.

The question is, how do we do that in a world that wags less and barks more? How do we maintain a positive attitude when things are difficult and stressful? I know the answer, but today I did not do what I know. Today, I have been one of those who wagged less and barked more. Today, I’ve let the little things get to me from the very start of the day. Actually, it started yesterday.

So what is it that I know but did not do? Pray. I know that if I pray more, I will naturally bark less. In other words, if I pray more, God will give me the strength and wisdom to be able to find and focus on the positive aspects of what is going on around me. If I pray more, God will give me the peace and grace to respond to the situations I face with more wagging and less barking.

But this morning, I spent about 60 seconds in prayer even though I knew God was calling me to sit in His presence for a longer period of time to prepare for my day. He knew what was coming. He knew what I was feeling. He knew I needed His strength, wisdom, peace, and grace for this day, and He was willing to give it all to me. But I was in a hurry, worried I would be late for my 9:00 meeting, so I didn’t listen.

Even Jesus prayed to the Father when He faced a difficult situation. He prayed in Gethsemane knowing His arrest and crucifixion were soon to come. And He commanded His disciples to do the same. Jesus said, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Matthew 26:41. If Jesus needed to pray and His disciples who were with Him needed to pray, what makes me think I can get through any day, much less one like today, without spending some time with my Father in Heaven?

I am thankful that tomorrow is another day in which I will have another chance to lean on the strength, wisdom, peace, and grace of my God. Tomorrow is another day to pray more so I can wag more and bark less.