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Hanging On By a Thread?
Weary, hope, Spiritual Warfare, joy, comfort, Encouragement Dana Rongione Weary, hope, Spiritual Warfare, joy, comfort, Encouragement Dana Rongione

Hanging On By a Thread?

There's a particular kind of tired that has absolutely nothing to do with sleep.

I know it well. It's the kind that sets in when you've been fighting the same battle for so long you've forgotten what it felt like not to be fighting it. Maybe it's a health issue that just won't cooperate. Maybe it's a relationship that's draining every last drop of your energy. Maybe it's a financial situation, a ministry that feels like it's going nowhere, or just the relentless, grinding weight of everyday life when your body hurts, your heart is heavy, and the ceiling seems to be the only thing your prayers are reaching.

Been there? Yeah. Me too.

And on those days, the last thing I want is someone breezing in with a bright smile, chirping, "Just keep trusting Jesus!" as if that's something I hadn't thought of.

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When the Ground Disappears
Weary, Encouragement, Comfort, Discouragement, Anxiety, Animals of the Bible Dana Rongione Weary, Encouragement, Comfort, Discouragement, Anxiety, Animals of the Bible Dana Rongione

When the Ground Disappears

I want to tell you something about greyhounds that sounds completely impossible until you see it for yourself.

When a greyhound runs at full speed, it uses what scientists call a double suspension gallop. What that means in plain English is this: twice during every stride, all four of the greyhound's feet leave the ground at the same time. Not once. Twice. In fact, when a greyhound is running full out, it spends roughly 75% of its time completely airborne. That elegant, flying creature is, at any given moment, more likely to be in the air than on the ground.

Think about that for a second.

For a greyhound, losing contact with the ground is not a crisis. It is not a catastrophe. It is not even a stumble. It is simply how the greyhound moves forward.

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Handle With Care
Reaching Out To Others, Spiritual Growth, Animals of the Bible Dana Rongione Reaching Out To Others, Spiritual Growth, Animals of the Bible Dana Rongione

Handle With Care

If you've ever owned a greyhound or spent time around one, you know they are gloriously fragile.

Not in spirit. In skin.

A greyhound's skin is extraordinarily thin. There is very little fat or fur between the outside world and the muscle beneath. What would be a minor scrape for a Labrador can become a significant wound on a greyhound. A small bump. A brush against a rough surface. An accidental nip during play. Things that most dogs would shake off can leave a greyhound needing stitches. In fact, up to 25–30% of greyhounds have a condition that makes them prone to excessive bruising and bleeding, even from minor incidents. Greyhound owners quickly learn that what looks like nothing can actually be something, so they handle their hounds with gentleness, awareness, and care.

Now, doesn't that sound like some people you know?

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What Can a Greyhound Teach You About Keeping Your Eyes on What Matters?
Distraction, Deadly Darts of the Devil, Spiritual Warfare Dana Rongione Distraction, Deadly Darts of the Devil, Spiritual Warfare Dana Rongione

What Can a Greyhound Teach You About Keeping Your Eyes on What Matters?

Over the next few weeks, I want to introduce you to one of my new favorite creatures, the greyhound. Now, before you picture a bus hurtling down the motorway, let me paint you a different picture. The greyhound is a dog breed unlike any other. They are elegant, ancient, and surprisingly full of spiritual wisdom. (Yes, I said spiritual wisdom. Just trust me on this one.)

This slender, noble dog has been around since the days of the pharaohs. In fact, greyhounds are believed to be among the oldest breeds on earth, with references dating back to ancient Egypt. This week, we are going to look at three remarkable characteristics of this dog that I believe the Lord wants to use to teach us something. Today, we begin with the one that may be the most convicting of all.

The greyhound has extraordinary eyesight, arguably the best of any dog breed.

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Where Do You Think You’re Going?
Spiritual Growth, Inspiration, Bible Study Dana Rongione Spiritual Growth, Inspiration, Bible Study Dana Rongione

Where Do You Think You’re Going?

I have a confession to make: my dog is more socially determined than I am.

Let me set the scene. Jason's parents were visiting, and we were all gathered in the living room, food trays in front of us, enjoying dinner together. Meanwhile, Tess had been served her meal in the adjoining room, close enough to hear the laughter and smell the good food, but not quite with us. Well, apparently, Tess had a thing or two to say about that.

That crazy dog picked up her food bowl (without spilling a single bite, mind you), carried it across the floor, and set it down right in the middle of the living room. Then she looked up at us as if to say, "There. That's better," and went right back to eating. No drama. No apology. Just a dog who knew exactly where she wanted to be and did what it took to get there.

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