Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn't you leave the other ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it?
The little dog ran away on Friday. The kids ran after her, but (Thank you, God) they stopped short of the freeway. I turned the younger kids and extra pets over to some friends and started the longest, most intense search I could manage, with the help of a lot of friends, some strangers, and the older kids. We must have had 30 people out looking for the little gal over the next 4 days.
I was out each morning, with or without help, walking through the neighborhood, talking to strangers, tromping through wetlands and trespassing on all kinds of property. Fliers, business cards, craigslist ads, visits to the humane society, calls to vets and animal hospitals, calls for prayer. Oh, please God, bring the little puppy home.
When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulder, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, "Celebrate with me! I've found my lost sheep!"
We got the call this afternoon just as we were starting another search. She's been found! Hungry and afraid, she turned up on the doorstep of a group home where they took her in. They kind of hoped she didn't belong to anyone so they could keep her, but they saw an ad in the paper and called.
We're so happy! Her little chihuahua sister is so happy. Even the basset hound has managed to perk up a little at her return!
Count on it - there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue. (Luke 15, The Message)
Thanks to all of you who helped, who prayed, who hugged and cried. It's time for a puppy party!
5 comments:
Your faith has sustained you. Not only did you have hope to find the puppy, your HOPE was really in God.
Your "found" blog this evening brings cheer to my heart. A greater search party could not be held. Congratulations and praise Him for blessing your valiant efforts.
Looking for an appropriate verse in response to your blog, I found two:
1) "But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you." Psalm 39:7 (NIV) Tomorrow it's back to the little things, like "where did I put my car keys?!"
2) "There is hope only for the living. As they say, “It’s better to be a live dog than a dead lion!" Ecclesiates 9:4 (NLT) Not sure what that means, so I searched some commentaries. One Biblical scholar simply commented "I guess so."
Thanks for sharing...this life lesson of hope.
Admirable faith and hope will eventually have their just rewards. Perseverance also pays off. YOu have done exceptionally well, daughter, in demonstrating these truths to us.
Besides the basic lessons of pet care and responsibility, etc., your diligent efforts in this situation have produced a remarkable and lasting example for your children. THey will never forget how concerned and mortified you were at losing what was not your but only "on loan". Your concerns and steadfast efforts to find and recover the puppy will produce a host of lessons and benefits. This will be the stimulus for great strides in personal character growth for the girls.
The outcome has not only brought everyone joy, but has pointed out that even prayers for small things are important. Those petitions are now being followed by much thanksgiving. God is good, and you are a lot like him in times like this.
I'm rejoicing with you, Patty! Your version of "puppy love" is more like "true love."
And all of the Lord's people said, "AMEN!" Jackie H.
So glad you found the puppy! I did pray. Thanks for updating us.
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