Don’t Settle for Dead Stuff

I’ve shared many times how much I love sitting on my front porch. It’s one of my favorite places to read, relax, pray, and simply enjoy nature. Marley is almost always right there with me because she loves porch time too.

Many days, I’ll even take a special treat outside for her to enjoy while we sit together. But recently, something funny—and honestly pretty eye-opening—happened.

I gave Marley one of her favorite treats, but instead of eating it, she left it laying on the porch and wandered out into the yard to sniff around. A few minutes later, I noticed her rolling around and playing with something in the grass, so I got up to investigate.

Y’all… it was a dried-up, stinky, dead squirrel. 🤢

And judging by the pure joy on her face, you would’ve thought she had just won the lottery. It took me a solid minute of telling her to “leave it” before I could finally get rid of the thing.

As I sat back down on the porch, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Why would she ignore the perfectly good treat I had given her and instead go after something so disgusting?

Then it hit me–sometimes we do the very same thing.

God offers us things that are good, life-giving, peaceful, and nourishing for our hearts and souls. Yet so often, we wander off chasing things that are empty, unhealthy, distracting, or even harmful. Sometimes we cling to old hurts, unhealthy habits, bitterness, comparison, or things we think will satisfy us, but never really do. Meanwhile, God is gently offering us something far better.

It reminded me how important it is to stay close to the One who knows what truly nourishes us. Just like Marley needed me to pull her away from something harmful, there are times God lovingly redirects us, too. Not to keep good things from us, but because He sees what we cannot.

I’m thankful God is patient with us, even when we go sniffing around after “dead stuff.”

“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.” 📖 Isaiah 55:2 (NIV)

May 27, 2026 Morning Brew

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