Fear, Grief Turned to Joy

No wonder we love dogs!

Family dog saves toddler from deadly snake

And dogs love us!

How relieved were those parents to witness this family dog saving that toddler from the bite of a deadly snake!

Positive dog stories always touch and warm our hearts. This one also ranks up there as a life saving act done by a dog for the protection of this precious little family member. What a terrific story!

I have become increasingly convinced that some dogs are capable of understanding more than we give them credit for. Our puggle "Sasha" is such a dog. She is only two years old, yet has learned to do things and displays understanding unlike any other dog that our family has owned. She has learned to play soccer. She understands what to do when I say "punt," "dribble," "defense," and even "header"! One day, I want to make a video of our playtime in the back yard.

I won't bore you with any of the other details, but feel free to share your dog or pet stories.

Here's a pic of Sasha and me!

When we raise them well and treat them good, they grow to be loyal, loving companions. We all know that dogs are called "man's best friend." Our family has such fun with both our dogs. I think that God created them specifically for this purpose.

Perhaps it's just a coincidence, but how fitting it is that "dog" is "God" spelled backwards!

When a pet dies, it is like losing a member of the family. Two friends of mine just went through this. I grieve with them.

Have you ever wondered if we would see our pets in heaven? I have read commentaries that put forth the idea that it might be true. What do you think?

The other night, I saw the tail end of a re-run of "Little House on the Prairie." I tuned in very late, but apparently, the little girl had fallen asleep while grieving over her dead dog's grave out in a backyard wooded area. She had a dream that her dog was in heaven with God and the angels. In the dream, she was seen hugging her dog, alive and well again up in the clouds of heaven.

After this happy reunion with her dog, the scene jumps back to her laying flat on her back on the ground, going through the motions of hugging her dog; though her arms are empty. When she awakes and realizes what she has just experienced, she jumps up, and happily runs back towards her house gleefully screaming to her parents what she had just experienced. It was certainly a heartwarming episode.

Ah...those were the days of great T.V. shows with positive messages!

This made me think about the two Marys and Salome (a.k.a. Joanna) who grieved so terribly at the cross of their crucified Messiah, Jesus Christ. They witnessed his suffering and death on the cross. They saw him being taken down and buried in the tomb. Three days later, they went to the tomb with the idea that they would anoint the body of Jesus with oil. This was a loving custom of that day.

When they arrived at the location of the tomb, they saw that the huge, heavy stone had been rolled aside. They looked inside and saw that the tomb was empty. At first, they again grieved wondering "who stole the body of our Lord?" Next, they heard the voice of an angel ask them who they were looking for. They answered, "Jesus, our Lord." The angel said, "He is not here, for he has risen."

Can you imagine the complete turn around in emotion that these women experienced that Resurrection morning? Their terrible grief turned into absolute joy!

Luke 24

Mark 16

Matthew 28

Mary was rewarded for her faithfulness, for she was the first to see the Risen Lord!

John 20

John 21 - Jesus showed himself to the disciples several times before his ascension into heaven.

Jesus lovingly gave Doubting Thomas time to believe. We have our entire lifetime on this earth to believe in Him. We all must answer Jesus' most important question:

"Who do you say that I am?"

Jhn 20:26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!"

Jhn 20:27 Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing."

Jhn 20:28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"

Jhn 20:29 Jesus said to him, "Thomas,[fn4] because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Jhn 20:30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book;

Jhn 20:31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

No wonder we love Jesus! And, Jesus loves us!

1Jo 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Jesus' eternal life saving act at the cross for our salvation.

Fear, grief turned to absolute joy!