This is another one that I wrote sometime earlier before I had my blog. The reason I am re-visiting my previous ones is because I believe they hold a message from God to you. That is the reason I wrote them in the first place. God spoke to my heart, and I wrote. That’s what I do. He shares things with me to share with you. I find that when I begin to read the ones I wrote previously, there are many places that I have to add or delete some things and re-work it to fit today and to make more sense in adding it to my blog. I do hope you enjoy each post, the ones before and the new ones. I know I enjoy writing them and I enjoy sharing with you – either for the first time or a re-read. I appreciate each of you and love your comments when you do comment. Please feel free to leave me any comments. They bless me tremendously! May God bless you and speak to you in some way through my daily posts. Thanks again for visiting me here on Abiding In The Vine (Now MyAbiding)!
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If you have known me even a little while you know that I love dachshunds and that I lost one of my sweet ones in February 2013 to kidney disease. Her name was Meika. I was devastated and it was one of the hardest things, if not the hardest thing, I have ever done – to go through 3 months of that disease with her. I loved her so much and she was such a young one to have to endure such a horrible ending to her life. Nonetheless, I lost her and I was heartbroken. However, in my praying and crying out to God, He promised me that He would heal that hole – that aching in my heart. I trusted that it would happen because God makes good on His promise! Always! So, one month to the day after I lost her, my Chiropractor asked me if I was ready for another dachshund. I said “Maybe, but when I get one I want a red, dapple female and a rescue of course.” She said… “well, that’s great because my daughter has a red dapple female that she needs to re-home.” I about fell off the table! Now, I don’t know about you but I truly believe that was God prompting my heart to remind me of what He said … “I will heal your hurt and your ache in your heart.” I literally almost started to cry and was a bit cautiously excited. My heart began to believe and couldn’t wait to get the pictures from her daughter. In the meantime I had to take my other dachshund, Zuckie, to the vet to get him started back on his annual shots. I had stopped everything when Meika was diagnosed with kidney disease and all the funds went to helping Meika. I was scheduled to take Zuckie in at 2 pm that day. We arrived a few minutes early, as usual. When they called me back I was a bit excited to get back on schedule with the shots, etc. I also shared with the vet about the possibility of getting another little girl and shared the story with him as well. So, he continued the exam with Zuckie and did the heart worm, rabies, parvo, etc. In about 10 minutes doc looked up at me and with a very concerned look on his face said… “Leah, I am so sorry to tell you this, but Zuckie tested positive for heart worms.” I said… “What!?!?!? You’re kidding, right!? I just lost my baby girl a month ago and now I have to endure another disease!? No Way!” He almost cried and hugged me so gently. After I regained my composure I simply asked … “OK, what do we have to do?” I have NEVER had a dog with heart worms… so he explained that it is about a 3 month long process and we have to keep Zuckie totally calm and quiet and possibly on “calm down” meds. He explained the procedures and the cost – which about knocked me over! It is not cheap nor easy to go through this treatment. It’s hard on the dog and the family!… but I digress… this post is not about all of that… it was just a huge part of the preparation of gaining another member of the family… the little red, dapple girl that needed to be re-homed.
I could not possibly think of bringing another baby into the house when Zuckie had to be confined so I had to wait three months. So, over the next 3 months we worked through the heartworm treatment with Zuckie and worked on getting to that point of adoption with the beautiful, little new girl. Finally, the day came to go pick up my new little baby girl. I took Zuckie of course and all went well. The moment I saw her and picked her up and she kissed my face with that happy little tongue, I knew! I knew this was God’s promise to me being fulfilled! One beautiful, happy little girl that will help to heal that aching in my heart for my Sweet Meika that I lost. I cannot explain the feeling that came over me except to say I felt a peace come over me and I simply knew God was making good on His promise to me through this bundle of love.
Now, this may be a stretch on a comparison here… but I am thinking of how Simeon must have felt when he picked up The Baby that day out of his mother’s arms. (Luke 2:25-35) He looked into His eyes and knew… Simeon knew this was The Christ Child that God had promised Simeon he would see before he departed this earth. I can only imagine how at peace he must have felt. The rush of emotions and excitement and sadness and joy all at the same time! For I believe Simeon knew what was to happen in the life of Jesus – those short 33 years He was to walk this earth and how He was to be the “Salvation” for Israel and the world. You see, if Jesus hadn’t died on the cross, our sins would not be forgiven. And if Jesus had not risen from the dead, we would not be able to live with Him in eternity. Here is the scripture: Luke 2:25-35
25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
33 And Joseph and His mother[h] marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Simeon knew and was elated and sad and joyful all at the same time. I imagine he felt so honored and grateful to have held the precious God Child before he departed. We can feel that same excitement without the sorrow. God has promised us in His Word that God loved us so much He sent His Son to live and die with us here on earth so that we can have a way to God without the condemnation of sin. (John 3:16-17 – “16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”)
Do you know this Jesus? Do you only know Him as the Child in the manger? As a figure in history? There is so much more to know about Him! He is our Promise to heal our hearts! I challenge you today to find a way to reach out to Jesus and praise Him for what He has done for you. If you don’t know Him, reach out to Him today. He is waiting to hear from you. Get to know Him as your personal friend and Savior! If you know Him, praise God that you have accepted Him into your life, and I challenge you to find ways to thank Him for His sacrifice on the cross. He loves you so much! He calls you His beloved!
Jeremy Camp – You Never Break Your Promises
In Him
Leah
le**@my*******.com
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