“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” Psalms 103:8

I love a good bumper sticker message. One of my favorites I saw a few months ago said, “I used to be cool.” It was on the back of a mini van. My daughter didn’t understand why I wanted to pull up alongside the lady driving the van and smile and wave at her (like we somehow had this sisterhood). Needless to say, I drove on, and the mini van went on its way – not before I got a picture of it and sent it to some of my girl friends, of course.

Last week, as high taxi season settled in (a.k.a summer), I saw a bumper sticker that really stuck with me (no pun intended).  It said – wag more, bark less. The word picture hit home – maybe because we just adopted an abandoned dog, or maybe because the kids are out of school and chaos has officially begun in my house, or maybe because I need to slow down and appreciate all that God has given me and reflect on His love more in my household.  Basically, I think God was telling me, I need to wag more and bark less.

Our incredible Creator is described as “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love” – an illustration used eight times by six different authors in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament, God gives us Jesus as the perfect example of these attributes.  Just look at the patience Jesus had with His children as they argued as to who would be the greatest in Heaven (Luke 9:46), look at His compassion as He approached those who society had cast aside (think woman at the well), look at His graciousness towards those who plotted to have Him killed (think Judas Iscariot), and finally look at His amazing love as He begged for forgiveness towards those who were killing Him (Luke 23:34).  Today, I pray for a summer where I show my family the face of Christ.  A face full of  patience, kindness, compassion, graciousness, and love.  Help me Lord today to wag more and bark less.