So God made a dog....

Psalm 121 asks, "Where does my help come from?" And the answer is: "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."

How exactly? 

Psalm 16:8 answers the how AND the result. "I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

Yesterday God provided the where, how and the result in a very physical example. Nearly five months ago he sent to me a puppy.... I had no idea if I was making the right choice...if she was THE one or should I get a dog at all. One thing I now know for sure; she has helped in ways I could never have imagined. I was reminded of the popular 2013 Ram trucks commercial (a take off of Paul Harvey's 1978 speech "So God made a Farmer") called So God made a Dog. You can watch it here, try not to tear up 🥰

https://youtu.be/VDrabmm421I

Yesterday I took Miss Penelope Joy to visit my mom. I was praying she would bring a smile to my mom's face.....what I couldn't have imagined is that she would crawl up on her bed and snuggle in. She's a bit timid but she is also very smart! 🥰 It's like she has this ability, a sense if you will, that comfort was needed. Brings back memories of other dogs we've had, who would lay all day with someone who wasn't feeling well. I began to ponder what God might have been thinking when he created animals. I found a really touching article. Here are snippets from it with the link posted at the end.

"At the very beginning, God blessed the people He had made and commanded them, “Fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Genesis 1:28).

"When a child maintains an aquarium, for example, he or she is reflecting the nature of God, to a certain extent. The child creates the environment for the fish to live in, maintains the habitat, and feeds and cares for the creatures in the tank."

"Keeping a pet, then, is a weighty responsibility—it is modeling the Creator and exercising dominion over a portion of creation."

"Pets also provide companionship, amusement, and unconditional love. It’s why pets are taken to hospitals and nursing homes to interact with people in need. Any animal that helps us show love more freely is a good thing."

Full article here:https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-pets.html

"Any animal that helps us show love more freely is a good thing."

I can't help but think AGAIN as I have over the last months that God will use what's in our hands to teach us, train us, grow us, enable us, provide for us ALL that we need. Yes, God will use a dog. He used Penelope to give my mom great joy and comfort and for me, he provided an "instrument" by which he blessed me. See, I could never have known five months ago that:

1. Life would turn in the ways that it has.
2. My mom would have a major health crisis.
3. I would get a dog
4. It would be Penelope
5. God would use her
6. I would not only give God all the glory for his amazing plan but that I would not even entertain the idea that credit be given to anyone other than God.

As I sit here on this cool, crisp morning I feel a bit like an excited teenager who has been gifted a car. I can never quite grasp how God works. His plan for me is unique TO ME. It is mine, it is personal. God already knew five months ago that he was going to send me a dog with a lot of personality, very smart and so unique in looks that people are drawn to her. He knew about my momma and he knew Penelope would bring her joy amidst very bad circumstances. And his reveals are timed perfectly. I could not have orchestrated a better plan. Why do I think I can?

Today is a day of rest. I have zero on my schedule.....a mental health day if you will. Ever so slowly I'm learning to balance this life. But more than that I'm learning that God will show me when to move and when to be still. His timing is perfect. I don't have to fret. Here's a short albeit personal realization.....my hair is beginning to fall out...again....this time I don't need to turn to medical professionals.....I know it's stress. I once had a doctor say, "You need to control your stress". I laughed....just how does one do that? What I know today are two things.

1. Stay as close to God as one can possibly be.
2. Take the time that is needed to do number one.

Today I'm so grateful. As I've tossed the ball over and over again I realized that just for me...for my own unique plan...

God sent a dog. ❤️

Be blessed today.