"Do you have a dog's life?"

April is National Humor Month so here are some letters to God from dogs.

“Dear God, if all dogs go to heaven, do we get to sit on your couch? Or, is it the same ole story?

“Dear God, why are there cars named after the jaguar, mustang, cougar, and stingray, but not one vehicle named after a dog? How often do you see a cougar riding around? I mean we love to ride so what it would hurt to have a truck named bulldog?

“Dear God, if a dog barks his head off in the forest and no human hears him, is he still a bad dog?

“Dear God, are there mail carriers in heaven? If there are, will I still have to apologize?

“Dear God, can I put my head in your refrigerator?

“Dear God, when I live with you, can I eat the cat’s food, too?

“Dear God, do I have to shake the rain off before coming in your house?”

Laugh out loud as you listen to life and make a life, not just a living today.

"Made a mess lately?"

Bobby, who’s eight, got up one Saturday morning before his mom and dad and decided to surprise them by making pancakes. So he pulled out the big bowl and spoon, stood up in a chair and took the pancake mix out of the cupboard. As he poured it into the bowl, he spilled some on the floor and on himself.

Then he added some milk—to the bowl and the floor. He cracked a couple of eggs and put them in and dripped yolk on the counter. As he stood there trying to figure out whether he was supposed to put the mix in the oven or on the stove—and how to turn them on—he heard this licking sound. His cat was eating from the mixing bowl! As he shooed her off, he hit the bowl and spilled it all over the counter, the floor, and himself. And just then, his dad walked in.

Bobby’s eyes filled with big, hot tears. He’d just wanted to do something good, not make a mess. And then Bobby’s dad picked him up in a bear hug and said, “I love you, son!”

The next time you make a mess of life, let God love on you.

"Do you stake out your position?"

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “stake out your position?” Ever wonder where we get that phrase?

It actually is derived from the ancient Aztec Indians. In times of war, when their homes were under attack, the Aztecs would go outside the village to defend it. The men would tie one end of a rope around their leg with the other end attached to a stake. They used a hammer to drive the stake in the ground then threw the hammer out of reach. And there they stood, weapons in hand, having staked out their position, ready to fight to the death, or until they drove the enemy away and a friend would release them.

What are you willing to die for? Anything?

What position are you willing to stake out and never compromise?

Sure, we all have to give and take to get along in the world, but it seems to me there are some things that non-negotiable. What are yours? What would you die for? Think about it as you listen to life today for what God has to say and make a life, not just a living.

"How much “drama” is there in your life?"

We have a daughter in middle school which, in case you don’t know, is far more traumatic than you might imagine—for her that is. There is so much “drama” in middle school. The “he said/she said” creates “issues” for these kids.

Frankly I don’t remember all of this “drama.” But I was more into baseball, fishing, and hunting than relationships back then. It was a different era. We all wanted to wear Levis, I do remember that. And I do recall getting a lecture or two about peer pressure. Maybe that was what sufficed for our drama. Perhaps with us it was about peer pressure.

I read an interview with a 104-year-old woman recently. The reporter asked, “And what do you think is the best thing about being 104?”

The woman simply replied, “No peer pressure.”

Until you’re 104 or so, I guess we’ll have some “drama” or “pressure” to conform to certain social standards. But look, don’t take keeping up with the Joneses too seriously. Just keep with God and listen to life and make a life, not just a living, okay?

"Have you been surprised lately?"

It was Saturday morning. I woke up at my usual time of six o’clock, wishing I could sleep a little longer since it was the weekend. But I couldn’t. My eyes were wide-open, my mind was turned on, and I was awake.

So I stayed in bed for about thirty minutes or so, praying and welcoming a new day and whatever opportunities it would bring. Then I got up and went to our kitchen. In our kitchen, we have a big bay window that overlooks the horse pastures and in the distance, you can see some beautiful mountains.

A friend emailed me something he’d written and wanted me to read over it so I got my laptop and sat at the kitchen table reading it over, looking up regularly to watch the new day dawn. All of a sudden, as the day shook off its sleepiness, it started snowing. Huge snowflakes gently fell from the steel-gray clouds and settled lightly on the ground.

You just never know what surprises the day will bring, do you? Be prepared to welcome whatever comes as you listen to life and make a life today.