I'm Thankful For...

...my Golden Retriever, Boomer. 

 I read about a local dog show this morning and began thinking about her.  

Realized I still miss her.  

Terribly.

Boomer, 1994-2009

I know many folks in the world are hurting, hungry, homeless, and hopeless.

But I just wanted to take a few moments to

remember her

with you.

She helped me greet the day, every day, for over 14 years.

She suffered a stroke in August of 2009.

She'd been hobbling around on arthritic hips for several years. 

Be assured, we gave her doggie-type medicine for her aches and pains.

But that morning, I had to come to terms with the finality of her stroke symptoms.

Her head was tilted to 1 side,

She could no longer grin at us for her mouth was slanted in an unfamiliar frown. 

She couldn't move off her bed, much less eat.

In the afternoon we took her to the vet.

He gave her 2 shots.

One to calm her.

One to send her quickly to heaven.

We like to think she's gone fishin' with my Dad there.

She kept her eyes and ears peeled for...squirrels.  Oh, how I miss petting her silky fur!

This morning, I wept as I read about the dog show.

Now I am tear-less.

 I truly am thankful for the years we had together.

Years when she acted like the dog she was:

spots on the carpet, chewing on forbidden things, leaving land mines, etc.

Years when her cheesy grin greeted me 

without fail

EVERY TIME

she saw me,

even if she was being naughty.

She was always in a good mood.

She made sure it was safe to...

...enjoy our quiet time on summer mornings.

In the spring of 2007, I asked God to let her stay healthy 

till at least fall, 

after our 3rd child got married.

I just couldn't imagine all that planning

without her.

I told God I needed her

sweet, unconditional companionship

as I pondered the wedding.

She combined these 2 skills seamlessly:  vigilance and nap-taking.

I asked that of the God Who...

created the heavens and the earth,

gave His only Son, Jesus, to be my Savior,

numbers the very hairs on my head, 

wipes away every tear from my face.

She loved car rides.  This was the last time she rode in our 20 year old minivan.
We gave it to a charity soon after this, dog hair and all.

As usual, God knew what I needed better that I did.

He let her stick around for another 2 1/2 years. 

And when  the new school year wasn't far off, 

when I began to dread leaving her 

in the laundry room all day,

He took her quickly

to heaven.

Okay, NOW I'm choking up.

Not so much because I miss Boomer

-although the heart of God surely knows I do-

but because I'm remembering

His grace, love, and mercy 

 to me 

and to my dog,

pressed down and overflowing.

The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces...

Surely this is our God;

we trusted in Him,

and He saved us...

let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.

Isaiah 25:8, 9

And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

So don't be afraid...

Matthew 10:30, 31

Oh, the abundant grace and love of God!

May you be filled with it today, friend.

Love,

Want to meet lots of other bloggers?  Go check these fun blog hops: 

Linking up with Kristin, Jaime, & Melissa 

@ Take it from me

  

Lynn @ Spiritually Unequal Marriage

Java @ Never Growing Old

I Am Jesus Little Lamb-Day #6 of Thanksgiving

I first learned this hymn when I was little, about 50 years ago.

I'm thankful that my 2nd grade teacher, Miss Bathke,

who got married later in the year and became Mrs. Dierker,

taught it to us one morning during our devotion time.

Or maybe it was my Aunt Jo, who was my 3rd grade teacher after

Mrs. Dierker quit teaching to have a baby.
I think Aunt Jo already had already had 1 of her four babies.
I'm thankful for those 2 fine spiritual mothers
that God sent to teach me about Jesus.

Anyway...
 having always been a Lyrics Girl,

even at 7 years old,

these lyrics spoke to my young heart.

I accepted them in my childish heart.

They are the Good News, the Gospel, about Jesus, the Savior of the world.

The composer of this hymn was Henriette Luise von Hayn, born in Idstein, Nassau, Germany, in 1724.  She taught at a Girls' School and later cared for invalids until her death in 1782.  She wrote over 40 hymns or portions of hymns.  Sounds like she led a rather quiet life. 

But Henriette's lyrics have spoken loudly to my heart throughout my life. 

I used to sing it to my babies.

I plan to sing it to my grandbabies.

They still ring true:

For Jesus has always gently guided me, known me, and provided for me. 

His love for me has NEVER changed.

He still calls me by my name,

and by His grace,

I know His voice and hear Him speak to me.

Our relationship is such that He satisfies

my hunger and thirst for truth

from His Word;

calms my racing heart and mind by His Holy Spirit.

If this sounds mysterious or impossible to you,

just ask Him

and He'll do the same for you.

Yes, even now, I am His lamb.

He has never failed me.

When my time on earth is done,

He will take me to my final resting place:

His arms.

I am Jesus' little lamb.

Ever glad at heart I am.

For my Shepherd gently guides me,

Knows my need and well provides me,

Loves me every day the same,

Even calls me by my name.

Day by day, at home, away,

Jesus is my staff and stay.

When I hunger, Jesus feeds me,

Into pleasant pastures leads me;

When I thirst, He bids me go

Where the quiet waters flow.

Who so happy as I am,

Even now the Shepherd's lamb?

And when my short life is ended,

by His angel host attended,

He shall fold me to His breast,

There within His arms to rest.

This maker of this video noted that it had been played at a baptism earlier in the day.  Oh, I would love to have it played at my first grandbaby's baptism!

Grace to you all!

Love, Karen

P.S.  I consulted my hymn book and found this one 

right next to the one I shared here a few weeks ago.

Today I'm linking up with

Show and Tell Saturdays and Sunday Song.

Sunday Song: Got The Ride of the Valkyries?



Are you familiar with Richard Wagner's operas?
I'm not, except for this clip, which I first heard in a music appreciation class in college.  I didn't appreciate the prof very much, but I'm sure glad I showed up for class the day he played this for us.
He may have even played a vinyl recording of it.
Yes, I'm that old.

Whether or not you think you're "into" opera, may I encourage you to listen to this exciting piece of music?

French horns begin playing music that sounds
as if it is horses. 
Not like horses sound,
but as if the music they produce IS horses. 
Of course, the strings and trumpets and drums join in,
galloping into your head,
and

before you know it

YOU ARE BREATHLESS!

By the time the singers start belting out their lines you don't even care that they are singing in German even though-if you're like me-you don't speak German.  (There are English subtitles if you're a stickler for that sort of thing.) 

I double-dog-dare ya to resist getting caught up in their urgency and passion!



Somehow, I think angels must sing with such urgency and passion
at least sometimes. 

Like when someone accepts Jesus as their Savior

or

when the people who die with Him in their hearts enter heaven.

"Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep...I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Luke 15:19

Blessings on your day, friends!
Love, Karen

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