Protector

We had some tragedy at the farm a few weeks back.  A coyote or two came during the night and caught two baby goats for their dinner.  They also left one little baby with a hole in the top of its head and in the bottom of its jaw, which caused its mouth to close unnaturally.  Bo and I affectionately started calling her jack-jaw.  Awwww...aren't we sweet. :)
So back to the story.  We bought a guard dog.  A wonderful two year old Great Pyrenees named Buddy.  And while Buddy's name sounds playful, his demeanor is no such thing.  He is here to do a job.  He doesn't have time to be petted or played with or loved on.  He has goats to watch and herd and will not come near us.  He is an amazing work dog...he's just not a pet.  And we are learning to be okay with that.  We already have a pet, Bear, who will love you more than you want to be loved.  He's a 150 pound Bernese Mountain Dog.  And he still believes with all his heart that he is a puppy.
But, this story is not about Bear. 
So we got Buddy home.  We let him out into the goat pen, and he immediately went to each baby goat and smelled them.  He walked the perimeter of the fence and checked out every little thing.  Then he went to work checking each noise and howling of the wind.  It was about 9 at night, and that's when they are most on alert is during the night.  So he went right to work doing what he does.  Being the guardian of the goats. :)
 
This is a picture of Buddy.  Isn't he cute.  Don't you want to cuddle him.  Well, it's not possible.  I wanted to take some better pictures of him with the goats, but he runs like the wind every time I go out there. :) 
Every day I see him out there barking an alarm to the goats if there's any suspicious noise, or cuddling all the babies around him during his naps, or herding them in before the storm hits, and I am reminded of our very own protector.  Doesn't He do all those things for us.  He is our guardian (guard dog), which is someone that prevents injury.  He is whispering a warning in our ear about something, He holds us close when we feel alone.  He's always there whether we acknowledge it or not.  He is preparing us for the storms of this imperfect life.  But I think I don't always allow myself to be protected.  I can do this crazy life.  Or I am so caught up in life that I forget that He's still sitting there with me if only I will recognize His presence.  If I will listen to His voice trying to prevent me from failure.  If we fully trust in Him, He will be with us through the hard times and the great times...and all the in-between times.  He's always there watching, waiting, protecting.  Just call out to Him.  He wants to take care of us. 
Psalm 91
 You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow,
Say this: "God, you're my refuge.
I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
under them you're perfectly safe;
his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
drop like flies right and left,
no harm will even graze you.
You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God's your refuge,
the High God your very own home,
Evil can't get close to you,
harm can't get through the door.
He ordered his angels
to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they'll catch you;
their job is to keep you from falling.
You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

^14-16 "If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God,
"I'll get you out of any trouble.
I'll give you the best of care
if you'll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times;
I'll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I'll give you a long life,
give you a long drink of salvation!"