There's Purpose in the Pain

The past few months have been hard for my family and I. Two deaths of family members that were loved and now missed deeply have captured our attention and seared our hearts. We have shed tears when we thought we had run dry, were surprised that our bodies could operate with such little sleep and that we finally had no more words to speak and strength to comfort as we had previously.

Death has a way of doing this to anyone. It stops you in your tracks, takes your breath away and causes you to stop and think, re-evaluate, remember and sometimes shed regrets you had not idea would exist. You wonder what purpose could there possibly be in this pain?

So what do you do with these thoughts, emotions, heartache and pain? In I Peter 5:7, we are told to "Cast our burdens on the Lord for He cares for us." Just think for a moment, the Creator of this world is interested in YOU and all that concerns YOU. God is aware of what you are going through and does not want YOU to endure it alone. Jesus Christ can give you the strength you need, the comfort you seek and the peace that passes all understanding.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world (You, His creation), that He sent His only begotten Son (God came into the world as Jesus Christ), so that whosoever would believe (you and me) in Him (Jesus Christ, God's Son), would not perish (die spiritually as well as physically) but have everlasting life (to be in the presence of God forever). This scripture offers the FREE gift of salvation that all of mankind need. Everyone needs a Savior and Jesus Christ came that you might have life and have it it abundantly!

Know this...there is purpose in your pain. God does not miss a single tear or is unaware of the pain you are going through. You are the apple of God's eye and He loves you so much He sent His Son to die for you, and Jesus willingly gave up His life for sinners like you and me. Nothing we ever do will be good enough to earn our way into heaven. There is no fire insurance beyond believing that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for you and that Jesus did spill his blood that you would not have to. We are not saved by good works, but by believing in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

Give yourself to the Lord, surrender your life, believe and be saved. Allow the purpose of your pain to lead you into a lasting relationship Jesus Christ. It will be the best decision you ever make in your entire life. Find a non-denominational church that will disciple you, teach you God's word and read it for yourself. Meet with other believers and hear the wonderful testimony's of what awesome things God does in the lives of those who believe in Him, love Him and follow Him.

Peace to you our sweet Puppe.... finally you are truly home

Tuesday, January 18, 2011, My husband and I had to put our sweet family Lab to sleep, Puppe. She was thirteen in March of 2010 and loved rolling in the grass, taking herself on walks to the nearby park and around the neighborhood, loved car rides and laying next to me. She was Branden's dog since he was 13 years old, so this is a very hard day for him as well.

Please keep us in your prayers. She has been struggling with cancer for the last couple of years, and could not beat it. Her hips were getting worse, she'd injured her back left thigh going on a walk-about with Boomer in the winter of 2009, and had a hard time getting up. She still managed to trot when she was told to head home after sneakily taking off, loved salami treats, soft food and basking in the sun. Puppe was not real close to any of our dogs but Cookie, and they laid around together often.

Now, Puppe is at peace. She is no longer hurting, suffering, uncomfortable or agitated over licking her wound that would never heal and had quadrupled in size in the past month. We got to have her here in Arizona, and enjoyed her for Christmas. It was time to think of Puppe and help her go onto heaven. Now she is healed, no doubt rolling in the grass like she loved, and her spirit is peaceful and body well.

Thank you Jesus for being with us in the room. Thank you for such a loving and caring vet and staff at our veterinarian's office. They were so peaceful themselves, loving, understanding, oh my gosh, and stroked Puppe like she was one of their own. They gave us time with her first, then came in and explained things to us, gave us more time with her, then sedated her, and after about ten minutes came in and I went to the car. Ken stayed with her as he and my daughter Chrissy felt it would be too hard on me to be with her when she drew her last breath, (I'm sure they were right) and then at 8:47 am she went home, peacefully like I and so many family and friends had been praying.

Today, as I got in the car to come home, without Puppe, my heart sank. Today, as I walked in my front door with leash in hand and Puppe not by my side, my spirit cried deeply. Today, as I sit and try to write this eulogy for Puppe, everything in me wishes her life had been longer, she had been healed and she were sitting at my feet. But it did not happen that way. And today, I am realizing, more than ever, God was with us even though our plans were into carried out. Jesus comforted us and still does. The Holy Spirit was with Puppe and kept her calm even going into the doctor's office. I believe Jesus told Puppe what today was. Because as I was getting things together to leave, Puppe went to the front door, which she seldom does. She walked with us, we helped her in the backseat where I sat beside her, and she didn't fight going in, nor did she act fearful. I think Puppe knew it was time to go home, to run in the pastures of heaven and finally be made whole in the presence of Jesus.

Jamuary 18, 2011 at 8:47 am, Puppe met Jesus... and before me. How blessed Puppe truly is. We miss you Puppe, so very much, but we will see you and love on you again.

During this horrible event, God was with us and with Puppe. What comfort this has brought us. Hebrews 13:5 "I will never leave you or forsake you."