Never Alone
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-priority:99;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-para-margin-top:0in;mso-para-margin-right:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;mso-para-margin-left:0in;line-height:107%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}Meet Bo. Bo is a black lab mix puppy my hubby brought home from work one day. It was dark when he got home and he was carrying a large bag of dog food. We have two other dogs so it wasn’t an unusual scene. The overhead light in our mud room was out but I got a glimpse of a black creature scurrying around my husband’s legs. At first I thought a racoon had snuck inside but then my husband said, “Meet Bo”! A fluffy solid black puppy jumped into the middle of the kitchen much to the joy of my kids and the surprise of myself. Our house is already very busy not to mention the 45 chickens and 2 horses on the farm stead. I wasn’t sure about taking on another dog, let alone a puppy. I wasn’t thrilled with my hubby’s decision at the moment.
Then my hubby told me the story.
My hubby helps to oversee a mobile home park for his boss and he had seen this puppy running around for a few days. It was exceedingly cold being December in North Dakota so pets out and about peak an interest. At times he could see it scrounging in the garbage of the park, but just thought the owners had let the dog out for few minutes. Then a few days later, one of his employees who lives in the park called my husband. He was able to track down whose puppy it was as it was becoming a problem. My husband’s employee brought the puppy to the owners, believing he was doing a favor for them when they stopped him at the door and quite frankly told him they didn’t want the puppy and literally kicked Bo out the door. Speechless, the man took Bo in and called Matt. I didn’t know but previously, when they were talking, Matt told him if he couldn’t find the owners, he’d take him. So when Matt heard what happened, he picked up Bo, stopped by the local handyman store for some puppy food and brought Bo to live with us. Matt told us the story and looked at me. My kids didn’t need much convincing as they were already debating whose room Bo would sleep in. Then any objections I had were gone as I saw this precious puppy jumping around happy and loved. I was imagining Bo running around in sub zero weather looking for anything to eat. So course, welcome home, Bo!
As silly as it sounds, when I considered Psalm 27:10, I thought of when we adopted Bo.
“Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close”. Vs. 10 NLT
Even if those who are supposed to care for me more than any other leave me, the Lord will take me. The Lord will not let me go. The Lord will be the home I can always come home to. Unlike my human nature, the Lord never looks at His beloved with a hesitation about welcoming them home to His heart. The Lord never has to be convinced or His mind changed. The Lord is forever faithful to hold us close.
Sadly, the unthinkable happens in this broken world. As I write this, our nation grieves AGAIN over 17 more teachers and students’ lives taken by a broken and disturbed young man. The “Even If” scenarios play out every day. The grief is overwhelming. Even the Psalmist writes at the end of Psalm 27,
“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord; in the land of the living.” Vs. 13 NASB
We would despair unless we believe in the promise that the Lord will forever hold us close when the “Even If” happens. The Lord IS faithful. He may use another person. He may move the mountain. He may strengthen our courage. He may comfort our grief. But in whatever way He moves, know He is faithful.
The Psalmist ends with this encouragement for us who live in the “Even If”,
“Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord.” Vs. 14 NASB
Mary Quillin is a city-girl-turned-country-girl in her new life in North Dakota. She has been married to her hubby for 16 years and has 3 wonderfully, different kids who have begun their teen years (and she would appreciate all the prayers as possible on that note). After many years in full time ministry, Mary is learning how to show up and daily discover the journey of being available for whatever Jesus leads her to. She spends her days trying to build a welcoming shabby chic home in the heartland of North Dakota while learning to write and run.