With One Exception

Greetings,

It's been a rough few days for my daughter Rayray as the puppies she so lovingly cared for over the past couple of months starting going home to their forever families this past weekend.   One by one she handed them over to their new mommies and daddies and cried her heart out in the process.  

Thankfully, she and Emilio networked their heads off,  and EVERY SINGLE CANINE  went to someone they know.  Puppy reunion anyone? On Saturday, Emilio's friend, who adopted Bobby the night before, already brought the dog back for a visit!

Letting go can be hard; moving on can be a challenge.  But Rayray knew that as soon as the litter was weaned, it would be time to say goodbye.  We humans also grow up.   Whether it's after high school,  college, or we get married, most of us will reach the day where we kiss our parents farewell, hug our abuelitas and abuelitos, smack our sibling(s) one last time, and head out into the big wide world.

This is a good thing.   Imagine if Rachel had kept all seven puppies? Imagine if my grownup kids or yours, or you yourself were still living at home and having your mom do everything for you.  I don't think Hormone would appreciate it if I reached for his 29-year-old hand to cross the street.  Hopefully, the older we get the more independent we become, with one exception.

Jesus says in John 15:5, "I am the Vine, and you are the branches. If you stayed joined to Me, and I to you, you will produce plenty of fruit.  But separated from me You won't be able to do anything."

It doesn't matter how old we are, whether  15 or 51, we must never lose our complete and total dependence on God.  What happens if a branch falls off a vine? It dries up and produces nothing.  But if that branch stays connected and receives nourishment from that vine, the harvest is abundant.  I need all the peace, hope, guidance, calm, joy, health, love, power, and wisdom I can get.

Our human selves stay joined with His Divinity when we pray, praise, and obey His Word.

PRAYER:  Dear Lord, We need a harvest of blessings.  We stay connected to You today and believe in You because You are the source of everything we need.  We will never let go because we want to be productive.  We want a bountiful crop of goodness that we can use ourselves and share with others.  In Jesus' name, AMEN. 

Goodbye, SugarBear

Open My Eyes

Psalm 119:18 "Open my eyes so I can see all the wonderful things in Your teachings" (Easy-to-Read Version).

Greetings,

On January 9, 2017, Blue Bear, my daughter's dog child, gave birth to a litter of seven perfectly- formed and unbearably-cute puppies, and we have all been looking forward to each important milestone. Right now, at the two-week mark, they have started opening their eyes, and it's heart-melting to behold.

Yesterday, I held Coco, the smallest one in the group, really close to my face and laughed as she struggled to figure out what she was staring at.  She is still learning to focus, and her vision will get better and better, but I know Coco thinks I am precious!

As Christians it's important that our eyes are opened as well...to God's wonderful truths.  Almost eight years ago I was struggling with a decision one of my children made.  It was a difficult time for me because I really wanted this particular offspring of mine to have a change of heart.  As I was mumbling hurried and nervous prayers to God asking for a breakthrough, in the middle of an outlet mall no less, my eyes were suddenly opened to a new application for a wonderful passage in God's Word.

In John 14:6 Jesus says, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."  Right there in the mall it's as though I clearly saw for the first time that Jesus would teach my child the way to go, He would reveal all the truth about certain circumstances so a wise decision could be made, and He would also show my baby how to live.  IT WAS A WONDERFUL AND DEFINING MOMENT FOR ME!

Suddenly, the pressure was off.  No need to nag, cajole, beg, discuss, interject, preach, or pester my child any longer.  I could focus all that energy on prayer and let Jesus do His thing. I often thank God for opening my eyes to that truth. Another truth is that He wants to do same for you.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I need an eye-opening revelation from You today.  I need the power of Your Word as I pray for myself and my family.  I always want to make the best choices, and I want my kids to do the same.  You know the particular situation/struggle I m facing today.  Open my eyes and theirs to see all the wonderful things in Your teachings. AMEN!   

Round-the-Clock Vigil

Greetings,

A week ago yesterday my daughter's child, a dog named Blue,  had her beautiful puppies, and we are all crazy about them. I have been visiting her more than usual  -  I assure you my son-in-law enjoys my company  - and later today I will be puppy sitting.  Even so, their first week of life was exhausting.  It was a round-the-clock vigil making sure mom and babies were fed, hydrated, warm, and comfortable. Rachel and her husband, Emilio, have been true warriors barely sleeping more than a couple hours at night.  As she puts it, "When any puppy whimpers, no matter how quietly, I hear it, and I get up."  

God understands this profoundly.  And today, as we pray right out of the Bible from Psalm 121, let's be grateful,  that unlike Rachel, Emilio, and the rest of us, God has perfect execution. He keeps a round-the-clock vigil over our lives, but He never takes a break.  

 "My helps comes from You, Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. You will not let me fall, and You, my Guardian, will not fall asleep. Indeed, You never rest or sleep. You are my shade, and the sun will not beat down on me during the day nor will the moon at night. You guard me from every evil.  You guard my life.  You guard me as I come and go, now and forever." AMEN. 

Click on this link for a little video: https://youtu.be/y5J0qexme5o

How Good it Is!

Genesis 1:25 "God made each kind of the earth's animals and saw how good it was."

Greetings!

Yesterday, starting at approximately 4:29 PM, Blue Bear Urgell, my daughter's dog child, delivered her first puppy.  All through the evening she gave birth until finally at about 2:30 AM,  the last and final puppy   -  number seven  -  entered the world.  I have seen so many pictures, and it is cuteness overload! This morning all humans and puppies were resting comfortably, and I agree with God's Word above: His creation [of dogs] is good!

It's good because it nourishes our faith. Certainly if God can place elephants and ants and everything in between on this planet, then He has the power and the ability to help us with our problems. 

It's good because His mind-boggling creation sustains life and nourishes our bodies.

It's good because receiving love from a pet melts away the day's stresses and heals our hearts.

It's good because every single thing that God does, in one way or another, is for our benefit. 

If you have a pet, thank God today for that blessing.  And even if you do not  -  maybe you are not a pet person  -  thank Him anyway for making the earth's animals.  One of my husband's aunts has had a pig valve in her heart for over six years. Incredible!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You made the animals, every one of them down  to the last detail, and we are in awe!  It's amazing to think of the complexity of cows, monkeys, alligators, cougars, rabbits, horses AND SO MUCH MORE...Thank You that You are willing to use Your creative power to help us when we need it. And thank You for providing for our nutrition; we ask for health in our bodies for 2017.  We also thank You for making dogs when You were speaking life into our universe.  They bring so much happiness and companionship.  You are a good God Who does good things for Your children. In Jesus' name, AMEN.