Rescued....

"It is our privilege to know that we are saved." - Dwight L. Moody

In the 24+ years my husband and I have been married, we have had some amazing "pet adventures."  Our first dog, Derby, was a Dalmatian who grew to about the same size as the famous picture book character Clifford, the Big Red Dog.  Derby earned wide-spread fame in the small community of Trophy Club, Texas for chewing through every cable television wire for every house on our cul-de-sac.  The box for our entire street was in our backyard!  Did I mention he completed this task during college football season???  One week later, he ate an entire bag of charcoal...just because.

Our second dog, Coco, a beautiful chocolate cocker spaniel, escaped death more than 9 times.  Near Valentine's day, many years ago, she went on an adventure by jumping through my next door neighbor's brand new doggie door.  Once inside, she helped herself to over a pound of chocolate Valentine's candy.  Did I mention these were new neighbors???  Shortly thereafter, in an effort to watch her waistline, Coco consumed one entire package of sugar-free Trident gum.  The veterinarian never talked to me about cleaning her teeth again.  She had the pearliest whites in all of Texas!

In November of 2013, we were truly not searching for another dog.  Lord knows, caring for Coco was enough!  Yet one evening, my husband delivered the news that one of his business associates recently rescued a dog from a prominent park in Dallas.  Because of extenuating circumstances, they were unable to keep the dog.  Less than two weeks later, we were the proud owners of Rocky Vaughan.

Rocky lives every day of his life differently than any other dog we have owned.  Praise God!!!  On a daily basis, Rocky communicates a heartfelt message of gratitude to everyone in our family.  Each morning, when you open the door to the laundry room, Rocky greets you with a thousand kisses.  Before his day begins, he wants you to know, "I am thankful for you!"  The second you put down food for him to eat, Rocky must lick your face at least 2 times before he starts eating.  If you walk away, he waits for you to return.  Face licking must always precede eating.  His gratitude for being fed overwhelms me every time.  When we travel, Rocky oftentimes stays at a boarding facility he has grown to love.  When I pick him up, Rocky insists on sitting in the front seat and placing his face right beside mine most of the car ride home.  He is so thankful for a place, a space in this world he can call his own.

My Bible study group continues to do a very in-depth study of Colossians.  It is a difficult book of the Bible to discuss.  At the same time, some of the most prominent themes woven in these scriptures are simple.  Week after week, our group reflects on the importance of simply giving thanks.  We live in a complicated world with overwhelming/complicated circumstances.  What might change if we viewed our messy, imperfect daily lives through a lens of thanksgiving?  Thank you, Jesus for my home.  Thank you, Jesus for the people in my life who love me through every day.  Thank you for the countless ways, time and time again, you have rescued me.  Praise God I am redeemed.  Amen.