January 23, 2021
My morning devotional started with this: “The Lord will save me…”, which wasn’t really the focus of the devotional, and I kind of passed over it, though it ended with this: “The Lord delivered me. The Lord will deliver us.” Not really expecting a literal manifestation of this. Little did I know that this Scripture was, yes, actually intended for me today, and that God would indeed save me today. Overly dramatic? Maybe, but I don’t think so.
A friend and I went for a walk this afternoon. As we were walking and chatting, enjoying this cool weather, a visitor appeared who was also enjoying this loverly day. A pit bull. I love dogs, and I’m not of the mind-set that any certain breed is inherently bad. But he was barking at us, and most definitely not a friendly bark asking us to play with him. He was on the other side of the road, in an empty lot. We briefly stopped, then cautiously continued walking. He stopped barking and it seemed perhaps all would be well. We went about 20 feet, and he decided he did want to meet us, after all. And…he…charged. He was big. And he was fast. And I was the one he made eye contact with. He was snarling and snapping his teeth, and was in front of me in what seemed like a second. I froze. What did my friend do? Like any good Texas woman, she whipped out her gun (ok, she had already pulled it from the holster when we saw him, but not nearly as dramatic as “she whipped out her gun!”), and yes, she shot him. Literally, less than a foot from me when the shot rang out. She saved me…God saved me. There are so many different ways this story could have gone, so many choices made before the walk and during the walk, that God’s protection for us was so evident.
I’m so thankful, so grateful at the way things turned out. The owners took the dog to a clinic. My friend did not kill him, and he was able to run to his house. I don’t know how he is. Please keep your dogs securely locked up at home in the house or the yard. This didn’t have to happen. It was sad and traumatic for both of us, and horrible for the dog.
And, yes, I’ve questioned why God so obviously saved me today and not Ashley on April 21, 2019. I don’t have that answer. All I can tell you is this: He made it obvious to me and my friend with the choices made that He was taking care of us, and likewise, He made it obvious to me that He knew Ashley was going to die, and that He was waiting to welcome her and embrace her until I can be with her again. I still trust Him.
God loves each of us, even when we question the traumatic events of our lives. He longs to hold us in the painful times and He is always ready to hear from you and me, to welcome you and me. May you hear His whisper of love tonight, for He loves you…and me…and Ashley…so deeply! She is in her Savior’s presence forevermore, knowing His love and peace in person. 💕
