Reflections of the Week That Was

I took this photo a couple of weeks ago when we were on our way back from Ohio.

When I glanced in my rear-view mirror and saw this scene, it nearly took my breath away.

It reminded me again of how good God has been to me and my family...

...that sometimes we just need to take a look back and count all of our blessings.

~

This past Sunday, Jim and I celebrated 40 years together.

I can't really be that old, can I??

'Fraid so.

Seriously though, it is a little hard for me to wrap my brain around!

We've been through it all...there were times when I didn't think we would make it.

But God is good and He's been right there with us the whole time.

~

Then on Monday, Dylan gave us all quite a scare.

As a young child he suffered with asthma, severe at times, and made several visits to the hospital.

Before this, the last one was over 7 years ago, when he had to be life-flighted to UNC.

Since that time, he hadn't had one asthmatic episode......that is until this week.

Between the poor air quality (mugginess) and doing a lot of work outside mowing and such,

I guess it took it's toll on him and he had to be taken by EMS to our local hospital.

After spending most of the day there, they transported him to UNC Children's Hospital,

where he spent two night in the PICU.

Here he is after getting the good news that he could finally get something to eat and drink.

Two days of nothing in the tummy due to continuous breathing treatments was tough to handle...

...especially for a growing boy!

I teased him saying that I was pretty sure he was the only patient in the PICU with facial hair :)

He was able to go home on Thursday and we were all grateful for the Lord's healing touch.

So that's the lowdown on the week that was.

I sometimes need to just drop what I'm doing and take a moment...

...a moment to just sit back and reflect on what a good, good Father our God is.

~

Have a blessed weekend, friends.

Unconditional Love

How fun...a pet meme!

Thank you, Lorraine from With a Grateful Prayer and a Thankful Heart

for what will surely be a fun linky!

~

Let me introduce you to my furry "babies".

Actually, they aren't babies at all but they are my babies.

 This is Hunter, our almost twelve year old Jack Russell mix.

 This will make him almost eighty-four in dog years...if you believe that equation.

I have never known an almost eighty-four year old who was quite as spunky as he still is,

 although he has his days where he has either pulled a muscle or his tummy is upset

 and just lays around.  

Baby No. 2 is Oscar the Wonderful Weenie Dog.

He is five...going on 6 months and let me tell you, he is a hot mess!

 But I wouldn't have it any other way.

He became a delightful addition to our home when he was given to us...

...as a total surprise, by our older son.

Believe me, he was a surprise alright...we were not even anticipating getting another dog.

It was love at first sight...I mean, how could one not fall in love with this??

 

 There's no doubt about it—our pets certainly do become our children, don't they?

We can be assured that they very quickly learn to trust us as their sole provider—

they count on us to meet all of their needs.

And no matter how exasperating they can be,

or however many times we may scold them for bad behavior,

they are our constant companions, loving us without conditions.

They are quick to forgive, easy to make up and never fail to show their devotion for us.

Isn't that just like our Master?

Our Lord shows us that kind of devotion...that kind of love.

Oh, he is SO much more than that!

 How can I even begin to compare the devotion our pets have towards us

 to the love God has for us?
~

These precious pets of ours trust us without fail.

They love us...as much as they are able to, considering they are not human.

They don't know about God...but God created them.

 And the devotion that comes from within them.

Do we love God the way our pets love us?

I mean, do we I trust Him for all of our my needs?

Am I quick to forgive?
Do I love with or without conditions?

 I have to be honest and say that I have been guilty of this before.

These two little guys, are as different as night and day.

Hunter, in his old age has gotten to where he likes his space.

Oscar, on the other hand, loves to snuggle in and get as close as he can.
That's the way I want to be with God...snuggled in as close I can be to Him.

~

So what is that they say about teaching an old dog new tricks?

How about these dogs teaching us a few new ones, including loving without conditions.

 I know I could certainly learn a lot from my two.