We have a dog. Actually, we have six dogs. Pearl, Jade, Shaggy, Snowball, and Eyebrow have proven to be quite the effective gang of guard dogs for more than 5 years.
Then there's number 6, a German Shepherd we named Duchess. As soon as Dad saw her close to a year ago, he forked out more than 10 thousand pesos on the spot and bought her.
We were supposed to be training her and taking her out regularly, but for the most part I personally was nowhere near enthusiastic in doing it myself. In fact, for the whole year we had her so far I have only taken her out for a jog... Once.
Today we dropped her off at the vet, because she had a hard time standing. It was something about her feeling pain in a hind leg, and then to all 4 legs. The doctor was pretty blunt in saying that this sort of sickness happens to German Shepherds that are 9 years old and up. That was a direct hit to me and everyone else in the house. Mom and I seemed to agree that she could have avoided this if we simply gave her more time and attention. We kept seeing reminders here and there that the best time to raise and train a dog is in his or her puppy months, but we kept on procrastinating.
Thank God for these times. Indeed, this incident involving Duchess has reminded me that we should never take anything for granted.
Have we been taking what we already are blessed with for granted? Have we been taking material blessings for granted? Have we been taking what skills we have been blessed with for granted? I dare say, have we been taking our salvation for granted?
Let us keep our focus on the Lord. All that we have - every trial and blessing - all of it has, is, and will be evidence of how He is sovereign, and how good He is. Duchess has stayed alive all this time by God's grace. She still has a chance to live by God's grace. And no matter how this turns out, I know the Lord will be glorified.
Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men! (Psalm 31:19 NKJV)
Lord, I pray that we would never take anything for granted. I pray that above everything else, that we would never take YOU for granted. Help us to always give thanks in every circumstance. Forgive us for keeping our eyes away from You. Thank You for loving us so abundantly. In Jesus Christ's Name I pray, amen.