What my home and puppy recently taught me about God’s faithfulness

I’ve been a Christian since I was 10 and asked Jesus into my heart. Through the years, I’ve learned more and more about Him. I know He has a plan, yet sometimes God’s faithfulness still surprises and humbles me.

Recently, I was struck anew with God’s plan and goodness in my life. I’ve shared about the nine years it took us to sell our house and how I learned to wait on God. His plan was better. We got to build a home and stay near our families. I thought that was the entire point. But that was underestimating my God.

Beyond my dreams

As we have been making our way through the pandemic and continuing to self-isolate since March for various health reasons, we have been home a lot. We were always home a lot, but now we go days and days without leaving the house. We have decided virtual school is our best option.

And this house has made it all way easier. We have room to spread out and to be together. The kids have spaces in which they can do some gym exercises inside. Right now we joke that 5th grade meets upstairs and 2nd grade downstairs, because that’s what works. We certainly could have made it work at our old house, but it’s much easier at this house. God knew that. Yet again His timing is perfect as we are where is best for our family.

The pandemic and how much it changed our lives (at least for now) surprised me, but it didn’t catch God off guard. He met our needs before I even dreamt of them.

Meeting needs I didn’t fully know

Then I was watching my son and puppy play together. My son declared the puppy and he are best friends – and they truly are. Their relationship has been priceless and much needed throughout this time of being at home more. This puppy has entertained and comforted us all.

Getting Pixel the Pup wasn’t something that we planned. I’m a planner. I’m not spontaneous. But, I was watching a television show and someone got a puppy. While I’d been thinking that now I might be ready to have a dog again after the loss of our beloved Buckles to cancer, I didn’t feel like we were ready to get a puppy just yet. They’re a lot of work and we don’t have a fence and the list could go on.

Just for kicks, I grabbed my phone and looked for Lhasa Apsos near us. I saw quite a few, but I fell in love with one named “Lars.” I knew instantly he was supposed to be mine. My husband and I talked for a couple of days. We prayed about it. We talked logistics. Then we followed our hearts and brought Pixel home to be part of our family.

I questioned whether God had led us to this puppy a few times in his early months. They were hard and made harder when my husband got hurt the second night of having the puppy and was out of commission for months thereafter. I joked with a bit of seriousness that I was in puppy prison, because that’s truly how I felt.

But, by the time quarantine came around, Pixel was older. He turned 1 in May. He’s been such a blessing throughout this time at home. He snuggles with my husband and me each evening. The kids play with him often. We joke that he’s the gym teacher because he’s always up to lead them on a chase around the yard and go along for a walk. My son takes brain breaks on school days and plays with Pixel.

I didn’t know when I felt God nudging me to Pixel that we would need him so much right now, but He knew. He was planning for me and taking care of needs I didn’t yet know I had.

Comfort through the small stuff

These aren’t major life-altering things. Not really. But if God cares about little details or small ways to take care of and comfort us, how much more does He care about the big things? If God is planning, working behind the scenes and meeting needs before we even know we are going to have them, how can we not trust Him fully?

Yet, sometimes we falter in our trust. Well, I do anyway. Sometimes I get too much in my head and start going down the “what if?” path and stressing out. I’m still learning all about trust. Just when I think I’ve gotten it downpat, I realize I don’t. Praise God that He never gives up on me. I am so thankful for God’s faithfulness, goodness and plans. He’s always working in our lives. I praise Him for that!