Dog Park Musings
My dear little sister, I took a few days off of work this week since things were slow. My mind has been all over the place and my heart has been aching with thoughts of you and all you are going through. Sometimes I feel like my words of encouragement are just nonsense. How could I possibly understand the pain, discomfort and frustration? The only thing I know for sure is the love of God. In this life it is all we can be assured of when everything seems to be going wrong. I've had to refocus on Him constantly lately and put my words into practice.
I took my boy to the dog park today. It is his favorite place to go. Anywhere in the car makes him crazy happy, though I'm not sure if it is because he loves the wind in his face or the fact that he is not cooped up in a tiny apartment. It is probably a little of both.
There were very few doggos there today and so I knew it would be a more relaxing stroll. I needed it. Your sweet hubby has let us know that you are struggling and the cancer has spread. None of us wanted to hear this. We want your total healing and to be able to embrace you again. I needed time to talk to our heavenly father.
While walking, I was reminded of the opening credits of the Courtship of Eddie's Father. Remember that old show? "People let me tell you about my best friend...." They always ended the show with the two walking in a park and talking. Eddie would ask his dad a thoughtful question and his father would always have the perfect answer. Of course I was Eddie today. I had a million questions and one answer was all I got. "Be Still and know that I am God." The perfect answer.
I decided to take a different route around the park and not use the path. I walked through the grove of pecan trees near the outer edge of the park. That is when I saw it, a beautiful white stork on the other side of the fence. Wagsley saw it, too. He took off running. It startled the bird and she took off. But he couldn't get to her and she flew low to the ground with him chasing along the fence. He stopped chasing after about 30 yards or so and she landed. She was safe from the ravenous dog and she knew it. I walked along the fence on one side watching her as she strut along the fence on the other side. She was so big and quite beautiful. Wagsley barked but it didn't phase her. She was untouchable. What a moment.
We continued to walk slowly through this new territory, Wagsley was running from tree to tree leaving his mark. I noticed one tree for the first time. It was once a lot bigger and had been damaged by wind or lightning. Half of the tree was gone and where that large branch had been there was now a flat surface. Someone had painted a flower on it. Can you guess what flower was painted there? That is right, a sunflower. What are the chances? I was reminded of both you and mom when I saw this sunflower. They had written under their painting a quote "Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes." Carl Jung
You know I've always been a dreamer, but in this last year I've been a seeker. I've been seeking to know God deeper. Jesus lives within each believer. The Spirit of God dwelling in us is where we should turn for truth and a deeper knowledge of our Father in Heaven. Jung was right. This year, with your help, I have been awakened to a deeper relationship with Jesus. I say with your help because you reached out to me when I was at a dark time and selflessly cared for me. Though you were 2,000 miles away I had never felt closer to you. I had been praying for healing between us for the last decade or more. I missed you so. My prayers were not unheard, but God's time is not our time. His ways are not our ways. Your friendship has inspired many of my blogs, my sister, my heart.
Imagine Jesus smiling at both of us. We are his forever, and like I wrote in the book, we are Sisters Forever. I Imagine Jesus with his loving arms wrapped tight around you. Relax, and let him be your strength. Remember what he endured for us. He is so strong and so much in love with you that like me, he doesn't want you to suffer. I Imagine Jesus hurting when you feel pain. I Imagine Jesus crying when you cry. This year's journey to knowing Jesus and imagining him in all situations has brought us here. I don't know if you will read this. I hope you do. So many are praying for you right now. You have touched the lives of a great many people. Be still and know that HE is God, and he loves you unconditionally. Can you see their prayers holding you up on spiritual hands before our father? I can and it gives me hope.
One final thought about Wagsley and the dog park. The joy he has when he realizes where we are going brings me joy, too. The excitement he displays by his constant back and forth between open window and the center console of the truck, seems to build the closer we get to our destination. His dog smile is ear to floppy ear. I wonder why Christians don't get that same excitement about our final destination. We have a destination that is far more incredible than any dog park, amusement park or travel port of call. Yet how many of us struggle to be happy about it? For years I feared the unknown of it. But we know through God's word what awaits.
Faith is the only thing we need in order to come to God. Without faith it is impossible to please him. Mom had great faith. You could see it when she played, eyes closed in praise of her God. Her favorite song was "I Could Only Imagine." Daddy had great faith, too. One thing he said to me during his last few days was, "I can't wait to breathe that celestial air of heaven." What a thought. He listened to mom's CD all day long non-stop. Like us, her music always brought him peace. Whatever else might be true, his love for her never died.
When you feel you are about to panic, close your eyes and hear these words "Be Still and KNOW that I AM God." He's got you in the palm of his hand and no power on earth, in heaven or anywhere can remove you from that sanctuary. It is safe, warm and peaceful there. Lift your heart in praise that He has counted you worthy. You have obeyed Him and He has a plan for all of this.
I love you, Booboo.
Psalm 46:10 "He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
John 14:1-3 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (Happy Dance)
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