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“You want a WHAT???” Those were the words my husband said to me in 1982 just months after I became a Christian. Sheepishly I repeated myself as I said, “I think I would like a dog”. Kirk’s outburst was understandable. I never had a dog my entire growing up and up to that point had no desire for one. However, after embracing Christ as my Lord and Savior, my heart was changing so fast I was even having a hard time comprehending what was happening. Peace and joy was replacing my anxiety and sadness. Apathy was exchanged with purpose.  But most of all my hopelessness was wiped out by hopefulness. Even though my circumstances remained the same, the way I looked at things was totally different. It was at this point of my life that I had been yearning to have a baby.   But my arms remained empty. That’s when the dog thing came to me. And one month later, our first adoption took place. We took into our home and our hearts a new puppy named Libby. I was learning that the Giver of all good gifts really did create dogs to be man’s best friend. I had fallen completely and madly in love with a dog for the first time in my life. When our daughter was born 2 ½ years later our home was then complete. Mom, Dad, baby and Libby. Libby remained a part of our household for almost 13 years. The day she died I experienced grief to a level I had not expected. It hurt so much, that I found myself immediately looking to replace her with a new puppy. That is when Abbey arrived. Once again, my heart was smitten by a four-legged animal that could only show me her love by the wagging of her tail. But that is all I needed. It’s been 12 years now, and I am sad to report that death is imminent for our loving Abbey. She was diagnosed with cancer this past winter and it is now time to say good-bye. Once again I will be a mess as I leave her behind this coming Friday for her very last vet trip.  But this time I am better prepared for the grief that will be coming. Will it make it easier? I doubt it. However, I will not be blindsided like I was when Libby had to leave us. I expect to do a lot of crying. But I do not expect to run out and get another dog like I did last time. The outcome will be different because I am better prepared.  I know Abbey had a good life and we spoiled her rotten. And in return, she gave us so much joy that I could write an entire book on it. But those days now must end. It seemed like it was just yesterday that we brought this little fur ball home. Where does time fly? It seems like the older I get, the faster time goes by. I shouldn’t be surprised. I know life is short.     In  James 4:14 it says it this way:   What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes”. You see James was comparing life to eternity. And eternity is a very long time. In fact it is so long, that it never ends. Try to dwell on that for a little while. And here is another nugget of truth just in case you did not know.  Where you spend your eternity is up to you. There are only two places available. A place called Heaven where God dwells, and you can forever be in His presence and loving care. Or a place called Hell, where there is complete darkness and total isolation from God. Talk about total opposites. You know, I’m going to be real sad this week thinking that my time with Abbey is coming to an end.  I will never see Abbey again and that really saddens me. But I hope that is not true of you and me. We might be apart for awhile, but only for a short while.   What we really need to do is focus on eternity. Do you know where you are going after this life is over? I sure hope so. I hope it is heaven, because that is where I am going.   Jesus paid my price when He took my place on the cross over 2000 years ago and paid my penalty for all my sins.   All I had to do was accept this gift. I accepted the gift 25 years ago.  Not only did I receive the promise of eternal life, when I accepted Christ as my Savior, I got a lot of other things also. I call them bonuses. It has made for a very interesting life. I have been blessed beyond measure and for that I am eternally grateful. And on the top of my list for the things I am grateful for… is you my friend.   I pray that you and I will be able to spend all of eternity together. And finally, I am thankful for Abbey.  Farewell Abbey...You will be missed!

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,

That whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

 John 3:16

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

The First Sin