Two years ago, the arrival of our Double Doodle puppy, Gracie, brought new energy and joy into our home, during a very difficult season of our lives. Together, Nanci and I thanked God for His goodness and how He reveals Himself in His creation. Every time Gracie made us laugh, which was many times a day, together we saw the delightfulness of her Creator and ours.
Here’s Gracie coming home for the first time. You will notice Nanci’s personalized welcome!
Gracie’s first weekend with us:
Gracie loving (to death) her stuffed unicorn given to her by Sue Keels!
Honestly, for me one of the great blessings since Nanci went to be with Jesus has been Gracie. Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.” Animals are the second most important part of God’s creation, after people. We should see God’s nature in His creation. Gracie is of course not God; she is secondary, part of His creation, but she points me to the primary, who is God alone.
When I come home, I don’t enter an empty house. I come home to Gracie, who actually fills a house more than I think any human being could. She is everywhere—bouncing off the couches and sometimes even the walls in her excitement and enthusiasm about whatever is to come next.
Here’s Gracie at the beach last year:
Her utter fascination and delight with the world reminds me to enjoy, with childlike wonder, God’s creation which reveals His beauty, creativity, and power. At times I need to trim around her eyes so she can see God’s glory even more!
Whether she’s being fed or we’re taking a walk or playing together, Gracie always has ideas about how we should occupy our time. When she wants to play, I play. She guides me into joy. And finally, she lies down next to me, and relaxes and every once in a while, licks my hand to remind me of how much she loves me. This is therapy. It is beautiful; it is from the hand of God. Gracie leads me to Jesus—and reminds me of God’s happiness, His creativity, and His love for me.
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