Verse 1
Ever heard about the dyslexic insomniac who stays up all night wondering if there really is a dog? The answer is yes. It is a beautiful April morning and my back patio has hosted a pair of cardinals, robins, indigo-headed blackbirds (grackles?) and now a fat bumblebee on reconnaissance. The dog—newest member of our tribe, naps twitching his paws in the corner most recently occupied by my husband’s feet. Second breakfast: consumed with glee. Next: mid-morning snack.
Verse 2
Long before his birth a scant six weeks ago this creature occupied our conversations. “When I retire, I’ll get a dog,” said my husband years ago. Haunting rescue shelters proved unfruitful, as everyone wants the same dogs (while the rest look up with hopeful eyes and break my heart, but that is not for today).
Verse 3
Two days following my father’s memorial service, this little guy showed up on Craig’s List and my husband pounced. Four minutes after the post went live, he was in contact with the seller and one parking lot deal later, a handful of black and white fluff with a face mask somewhere between 80’s metal band and Mexican wrestling star came home with us.
Interlude: Someone is awake and not yet to be trusted in our not-quite puppy proof house.
Verse 4
After a snack and a bath and a towel-draped sit in the sun, a dog’s life doesn’t sound too bad, maybe I should apply. Yesterday he met the vet and weighed in at two and a half mighty pounds. Not bad for a six-week-old Pekinese/ Shih Tzu mix who of course we have named Rico el Perrito, and whose birthday we’ll celebrate on St. Patrick’s Day, because multicultural we be.
Verse 5
A recent acquaintance published the biography of the man who coined the term, “Dog is a man’s best friend,” (Stephen Vest re. his ancestor George Vest). I think George knew about the blessing of the dog. One tiny being cannot contain such an enormous quantity of joy, and it must bubble out. Joy expressed with a miniature pink tongue behind razor-sharp milk teeth. Joy pulsating from a heart tapping faster than my 60 words per minute. Unexpected joy from someone who had to trade in his mom for the bumbling care of giant humans before any of us were ready.
God made dog and called it good. No need to stay up all night wondering. Woof. Selah.
Praises
We have prayed for a woman in her 80s battling cancer. She feels great!
A new pastor is gearing up and visiting his new church members. Especially the ones who expressed concern about calling him.
Another woman battling cancer has very unexpectedly found herself in remission! She was at Stage 4, and the doctors can’t explain it. She gives God the glory.
A family has transitioned to a beautiful new abode and are making it into home.
A group of people from a variety of churches and communities are gathering Saturday to learn more about fervent and effective prayer.
A group of aspiring writers are gathering Saturday to learn more about their craft.
Prayers
A dear friend and talented artist was in a terrifying car wreck Tuesday night. Prayers for complete recovery from a concussion and bumps and bruises. Praising God that it was not worse. It could have been far worse. She was on the way back from an event, and a large portion of her inventory was destroyed in the wreck.
Sisters whose parents recently passed away are trying to make amends with one of their siblings who is no longer speaking to them. Family gatherings suffer.
A young woman needs deep physical, mental and spiritual healing as she battles to manage her bi-polar chemical situation. Pray for her family as well. They love her so much.
Pray for a woman to thrive after 69 years of married life. Her husband just passed away and yes, that would be my amazing mom. Pray for her children and grandchildren.
A childhood friend who came to my dad’s memorial service is in the hospital with a severe respiratory infection. Asking God for mercy and healing to be upon her.
Middle-school aged refugee children a few months into an adoptive home are struggling. As are their parents who are doing everything they can, but both the emergency room and police have been involved. Lord God, we ask for wisdom, healing, respite and comfort all around. Please help.
Lord God, we pray for those who have lost loved ones in traumatic situations—from earthquakes, famine and wars all over the world. Give us hearts to help, and wisdom.
Quests
Is it OK to rejoice in the love of a small dog when so many face suffering in this world? I don’t have an answer for that. Those in harm’s way who trust God have his ear, and his heart, and should have ours as well. A writer friend, Pastor Sergiy Sologub ministers in Kyiv. His post about Palm Sunday:
Today's missile attack on Sumy is particularly painful for me. As this day in Kyiv ends, I wonder why it stands out from many other days like it. Is it because my father was born in the Sumy region, and I feel this pain because it would have been his pain as well? Or because it happened on a Sunday morning, a special time for me since early childhood when people gather in churches to pray? Or because today is Palm Sunday, one of the most bittersweet holidays? Because Palm Sunday reminds us that among those who worship Jesus there may be those who participate in the murder of innocent people, who in fact in a few days will demand his death.
As I write this, the silence of Kyiv's Palm Sunday late at night is broken by sirens. This sound means that more instruments of death have appeared in Ukraine, bringing suffering and possible death. They are sent by those who claim to worship Jesus.
Follow Sergiy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sergey.sologub.5
Or support his publishing ministry via Patreon
Pray for God’s kingdom to come.
Until next week,
As long as Jesus holds out on his return date, we face the paradox of suffering in the midst of joy and celebrating while knowing full well others hurt. This can suck the life right out of me. God knows we need joyous reminders of his life and love which are perfect and everlasting and may show up in the newness of spring and bumblebees and small dogs.
With love,
Jana
For the tremendous love shown in the gathering of family and community around us upon the passing of my dad: thank you. So many have reached out with comforting words and deeds. Bless you.
I love this psalm! Thank God for the joys still remaining for our comfort. And the poignant words of the Kyiv pastor hurt my heart. Your closing sign off reminds me that YOU, Jana, in my life as your warm self… you are one of those joyous reminders.