January 4, 2022
I was outside with Max this morning, and calling him to come to me. Per usual Max, he ignored me. Sometimes, he actually does obey!! But this morning, he was too interested in the smells of the yard (another dog in the yard yesterday…so many smells to smell!)
I had been sitting in my swing so constantly looking back at him in different parts of the yard to make sure there was no escape plan! So when he didn’t obey, yes, I got annoyed with him, and went to pick him up to go inside. As I was going to get him, this verse came to mind: Matt 7:11 “If we as human parents know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more will our Heavenly Father give good gifts to us.” Why, you ask, that verse? I’m so glad you asked!
Here’s the “why”: If Max had come when I called, my plan was to continue sitting in my swing, but with Max sitting with me. Perhaps not as good, in his mind, as exploring the yard on his own. However, he still would have been outside enjoying the smells in the air and being able to observe the goings-on outside. And it made me think of me…of us.
How often God has good things planned for me if I’m only paying attention and will obey His voice. And, sometimes His plan may be slightly or even completely different from mine. But I know that His ways are always…always…best. Even when I don’t understand…even when I don’t like the path…even when it’s the unexpected…even when my heart is in shattered brokenness…even when ____ …fill in the blank.
As Max was exploring and as I sat in my swing for those few minutes, I did what I often do there. I chatted with Ashley: I told her how much she was missed yesterday at her Nana’s 83rd birthday celebration, and that she is missed every day, and I cried because I miss her at these celebrations. I told her how she would have loved the necklace I got for her Nana, and that I probably would have ended up giving it to her (Ashley) because it was colors that she loves and that look beautiful on her (just like her Nana!), and I loved getting Ashley gifts. And I laughed about it because I know that this is true. Then I imagined the beauty of her day, and the peace that I know she now has, and imagined the animals and adventures that they go on…for that is how I imagine her. In heaven taking care of animals. We don’t need healthcare workers in heaven, so what is she going to do (what am I going to do?) And, yes, I’ve obviously spent a lot of time thinking about what she does while we’re apart. Well, we both love animals…so, that’s what I imagine her doing. Taking care of animals…our past dogs (Coco, Ginger, Prissy Noel), as well as other dogs, unicorns, llamas…whatever animals they have in heaven! And I smiled as I imagined a future working with her and never saying goodbye again!
But back to Max and Matthew 7:11…I know God still has good gifts for me here. Even when I don’t see them…even when I doubt them…even as my heart is still shattered…even as I look to Him. They are unexpected gifts…unexpected goodnesses. But they are there, just waiting for me. And this morning’s gift was the beauty of imagining the joy that Ashley has…the joy that I will have because I abide in my Savior’s love, and in His grace, and in His mercy. He is the giver of all good gifts. And today, I choose to live in His arms of grace…arms of love.
“For the Christian, death is not the end of an adventure but a doorway from a world where dreams and adventures shrink, to a world where dreams and adventures forever expand” (Heaven by Randy Alcorn, p 435).
Haven’t heard or played this song in many years, but this is the one God brought to my mind. I hope it encourages and blesses you today.
Arms of Love by Amy Grant
