Happy Memories
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11
Mr. Grumbles was a special little dog. He was my faithful friend for 21 years and I truly loved that boy. There will never be another dog like him. He taught me so much about life and he knew how to make me laugh. Peggy Frezon (All God’s Creatures) shares her fond memories of her Happy.
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“Check out these dogs!” I typed onto my Facebook post. It was National Rescue a Dog Day, and I was sharing a message about some homeless dogs at our local shelter. My hope was that I could bring awareness to the joys of recusing dogs. At the same time, I couldn’t help thinking of the dogs I had rescued over the years. In particular, a dog named Happy.
Happy was a skinny beagle-Lab mix who had been abandoned in the woods, hungry and scared. When we couldn’t find the owners, my family took him in. I was just five years old at the time, yet I knew instantly that God had sent Happy to be my best friend.
I fed him, he licked my face, we played together…but what I remember most is just his presence. He was always there. Whether I was playing with friends in the yard, alone in my room, or asleep at night, Happy was always there beside me. It was the best feeling, to be so loved.
Did God bring Happy into my life because the dog needed me, or did He bring the dog into my life because I needed him? As often is the case, I think it was a little bit of both. And not long afterward, God came into my life too. I remember the feeling of learning He was there beside me and that He loved me very, very much.
Now, with more maturity, I continue my walk with God. I strive to show Him the same unswerving love and devotion that Happy had always shown me. And it starts by spending time in His presence.
Loving Lord, we thank You for all the life lessons from nature that have brought us closer to You. Please continue to make us more aware of who You are and how much we are loved by You. AMEN.