I sat in a folding chair on the bank watching LB fetch the treasured stick he had recently found. Nicole patiently threw the stick further out into the water over and over. The stick barely left her hand and LB was already bounding into the water, swimming to retrieve and repeat the process again. He was tirelessly happy as Nicole continued to toss the stick into the lake. He shook off the water every time he came out, then pounced in excited anticipation as Nicole picked up the stick and sent it sailing through the air back into the water. There was pure joy in his face and tail with every fetch!

LB had recently mastered this skill of swimming and fetching in the water at age 11. This triggered a new level of confidence, enabling him to jump off the dock to fetch a favorite stick without hesitation. Nicole had worked with him tirelessly to accomplish this feat, coaxing and encouraging him. Amazingly it all clicked one day, and he swam out beyond the shallow depth to bring back a stick. His enthusiasm was contagious, and I chuckled and smiled as I watched their interaction. She was searching for special rocks but stopped every time he brought the stick to her feet and dropped it for her to throw again. He had the same energy level after two hours of almost non-stop activity. He had discovered a new freedom, a new pleasure in this mastery, and he even began to swim around without the stick. He was loving every minute! Nicole gleefully observed his pleasure with love.

Walking back to the car with Nicole’s collection of small rocks, LB was still carrying his beloved stick. Later at home, he curled up in Nicole’s lap and slept, safe and secure in her love and care.

The Holy Spirit moved in my heart as I watched the interaction between my friend and LB. Nicole had witnessed the day he simply started swimming to fetch a thrown stick from the water. According to her description, it was as though the discovery of this ability surprised and excited LB, awakening him to a whole new level of canine joy as he swam around in the deeper water. She was thrilled as she watched him and cheered him from the shore.

God has given each of us unique gifts, talents, and abilities to be discovered and used. He delights in our uncovering of the gifts He has provided and in our enjoyment of the experience. My heart was full and tears filled my eyes in that special revelation of God’s great love. Our laughter, our pleasure, our gratitude rise as praise to Almighty God. Surely part of our pleasure comes from sharing the joy and laughter in His presence. I drove home in gratitude for my friend’s invitation to share this special afternoon with her and LB, my heart flooded with love.