doG...God

Lucy's story from 2 summers ago...









Who would have thought that my car not starting that morning ALONG with me missing the usual 8:00 morning bus would be divine timing? And what in God’s name were people thinking as they see me running across NW Highway –in at least 3+ inch heels mind you– braving 6 lanes of Dallas morning traffic? Crazy? And all this for a dog…?
The little red haired terrier mix was dumped out in the church parking lot across the street from my neighborhood. I stood there waiting for the later bus while watching this entire event take place in total disbelief as to what was truly happening. Surely, they are just letting the dog out to potty…Surely they’re not driving off…what the *&^…
Next thing I know, I’m waving my bus to go on without me while crazily running across the six lane highway trying to avoid becoming road kill myself. My only thought is to get to this pup before she is completely lost in the woods behind the church or even worse, the opposite direction toward the busy highway and onslaught of moving cars. Out of breath, but still alive, I arrive safely across and call out to her. Surprisingly enough, she comes right to me! No fear, no apprehension – if only us humans could harness this power of unconditional love and trust as animals truly do.
Long story short – Lucy (as in ‘I Love Lucy’…appropriately named for her reddish hair and crazy terrier behavior) has been with us ever since that day. I would tell you that it’s a happily ever after story – but for future adoptees sake and general rescue knowledge – let me present you with the truth in love:
Lucy & I are learning to co-exist and have a mutual respect and love for each other. I am learning to understand that she is a terrier and behaves as a terrier and there is nothing I can do to change that (despite my ignorant failed attempts for almost 2 years now). I am learning that she is a special being with special needs: not a bulldog or a great dane or a lab or just simply a ‘dog’. But, if I will accept her as she is and spend quality time with her each day; continuing to try and learn how to best communicate with her, she will in turn love me unconditionally and be the best of friends with my other k-9 kids. What better gift could you receive?
That day will always be etched in my mind…had I let my patience get the best of me, I would have missed out on the lesson and continual blessings that God has in store for me through this glorious creature.

Calling All Angels

Psalm 91: 9-14
9 If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling,

10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

Do you believe in angels? Or let’s take it even a step further…do you believe that YOU have a guardian angel or angels that watch over you?

And if you are a believer in angels, do you ever think about your angel? Does he or she have a face? A certain look? Dress a certain way? Ordinary everyday person…or maybe large oversized worn-out black trench coat…Feathered wings…Halos…Floating cloud…A celestial being robed in light?

The Bible tells us that ‘whatever you did unto one of the least, you did unto me.’ What does that passage mean for you?

EMMANUEL = God with us.

For me, my morning routine is pretty simple. Ready myself for work, feed & water dogs and prepare myself ‘mentally’ for the work day ahead. With that being said, before I leave the house every morning, I pray over my dogs and home and for God to oversee my safe transit to work. After all, I work in insurance and see all sorts of instances of crazy drivers in this city.
This particular morning, I’m ready a little earlier than usual and thinking to myself …hooray! I’ll be in time for a breakfast piggy (as the saying goes…the early bird gets the breakfast piggys in my office deli)

I’m casually cruising down Northwest Highway enjoying the fact that traffic is still light due to post holiday vacationers still straggling back into town. Driving along, something in the air tickles my nose and I break into a full sneeze. Sneezing whilst crossing a busy intersection is not the safest of timing, but nature will relentlessly take its course. As I pass through the light, I see a man on foot standing in the intersection that sees me sneezing in my car and I can make out the words uttering from his mouth ‘God Bless You’. Now, honestly, in my allergetic predicament, I was focused on trying not to hit him as he teetered on the median midintersection without the right of way to himself. But seriously, did he really just bless me? I can’t help but think to myself and smile…how kind and thoughtful for him to gesture! In a quick attempt to show my graciousness, I make the effort to wave, driving away, still seeing his quaint smile and kind heart radiating as I watch him fade in my rearview mirror.

****BANG!@#$POP!@#$CRASH! @#$BOOM!*******

I kid you not…just that abruptly, not seconds later than the kind man has blessed me on my way, and there is a 4 car pileup in front of me. You know how they say your life flashes before you in just seconds during traumatic events…well, that was definitely true in this instance. Only my seconds were quick enough that I had time to swerve and avoid joining the now conglomeration of distorted metal, fiberglass, and rubber as the 5th member.

Shaken, tearful and numb, I continue driving to work. As I began to put the chain of events together for the morning, I was awestruck…

Divine timing? Had I left any later or earlier this morning, I might have been in that accident…

Divine intervention? I just left my home where I prayed for protection over my family and myself on my drive to work…

Divine inspiration? I am blessed by a simple passerby who sees me sneezing even in the swiftness of transit? He just ‘happens’ to be in the intersection at that same time, this particular morning, as I’m sneezing. It was almost as if God threw me the final shield of protection for what lay ahead (literally, milliseconds later)

So I ask you again, do you believe in angels? Do you believe YOU have a guardian angel? Do you call on your angel in the name of Jesus to protect you in all that you do?

***Calling All Angels, Lyrics by Train

I need a sign to let me know you're here

All of these lines are being crossed over the atmosphere

I need to know that things are gonna look up

'Cause I feel us drowning in a sea spilled from a cup

When there is no place safe and no safe place to put my head

When you feel the world shake from the words that are said

[Chorus:]And I'm calling all angels

I'm calling all you angels

Friday Morning and God's still here

It’s a Friday morning, nothing really different from the usual. I wake up with the same tiredness that I’ve felt all week, however, there’s that small glimpse of excitement that this is the final day of my work week. I get up, get ready, and take care of the dogs, as is my usual morning ritual. Since my car has decided to poop out on me once again with a flat tire, I’ve been back to the bus since Wednesday. I grab my things, take my last swig of tea, and get ready to set off on my walk to the neighborhood bus stop only to notice that I have $5 and no change. Now, being the DART expert that I am slowly but surely becoming of here recent, I know that the bus requires exact change and my fare for the day’s journey is $3. Oh lord…this is NOT what I need…I have no way to get change, and quickly. I don’t want to wake the neighbors; and there are no ATMs readily available. So, my quick journey down the end of the street and the corner has now turned into a nice walk down NW Hwy and to the Kroger on the busy intersection. Now, as most of you know, Texas is hot in August. And a brisk early morning walk in your work clothes in the lovely humidity is not something to look forward to. But, I tell God as I’m rolling my eyes and finding the patience I need, well, at least its 8:00 in the morning and there’s somewhat of a breeze. And come to think of it, I could use the exercise anyhow. So, I kiss the doggies goodbye, lockup, and start off on my morning walk to the first available cash machine. As I’m jaunting down the hill, I can’t help but think to myself how European I am…I mean, they do this sort of thing all the time (public transportation and all). Then, as I get a little further, I find myself thanking God for my 2 legs that allow me the privilege of walking…it could be so much worse. As I wake a little more, feeling the squishy uncut grass still fresh with the morning dew tickle my toes through my flip flops, I think to myself, I will explore a new bus stop and maybe I’ll see my friend Joe that I haven’t seen in a while. Maybe this was God’s plan all along for this Friday morning. Who knows…attitude is everything, and the morning is slowly but surely looking better. I stop at the local gas station that’s just a hop skip & jump closer than the Kroger and decide I will purchase a little breakfast of healthy vitamin enriched powered donuts and voila! I will have my $3 exact change that I need. After wishing my immigrant friends at the Chevron a Blessed day…I journey across the street to the next closest bus stop. Oh what joy...this one has a bench!! I’ll be able to sit and read in the shade (yes thank you Lord there’s still a little left). Not to mention, the multitude of cars rushing by on the busy 6 lane street provide an added bit of air flow to my shaded morning respite. So, I enjoy the biography my father has so graciously lent me as I patiently await my chauffeured ride to work. Not much later, the big yellow motor vehicle pulls up to the stop and I speedily close my book, throw my purse on my shoulder and get my exact change ready as the doors open to the glorious air conditioned ride awaiting me. I step up the 3 stairs to be greeted by my favorite driver. I happily say ‘good morning!’ with a smile. As I start to put my exact change in the cash machine, he responds to my greeting with, ‘would you let me buy your fare today?’ As I stand there in awe trying to decipher what he has just presented me with…he asks again…’May I be a blessing to you today?’ Oh Lord, can this be? I thought You put ME on the bus to be a blessing to others that you put in my path. And here someone wants to bless me? I excitedly say ‘yes!’ and several thank yous later, almost tear struck, I take my seat. There is no moral to the story, only my thoughts in wanting to share my blessing with you. I will undoubtedly pay this gift forward, but in the meantime, I relish in the thought of its Friday morning and God’s still here!