Many of you have heard me tell plenty of colorful stories about my family back home in Virginia--my mom and dad, my brother, and even our dog, Gracie Jo. :) (Yes, we gave her a middle name!)

Gracie is undoubtedly the perfect dog. She's a "pek-a-poo" (that's pronounced "peek-a-poo"...she's half-pekingnese/half poodle), which means she weighs a mere 8 pounds. Gracie has never hurt a soul her whole life and is without any enemies whatsoever. Oh, and by the way...she's so cute that you can't help but grin just looking at her. :)

Hard times struck this past weekend unfortunately. My dad was taking Gracie on a walk down the street when all of a sudden, three dogs broke through their electric fence and attacked her. Dad immediately snatched Gracie up into his arms. However, as he was lifting her up, one of the dogs bit her eye so that it literally came out of its socket. Dad then hurried Gracie to the car and onto the vet. Gracie had emergency surgery on the same day and ended up losing her right eye. Needless to say, the whole Dowdy clan was, and still is, pretty shaken up. Gracie is still in recovery and we're all waiting and hoping for that same energy and playfulness to return to her.

The very night this happened, I was drifiting off to sleep in the midst of tears of anger and absolute sadness when a lesson hit me. In the middle of my sorrow, God's allowed me to be reminded of some old truths, as well as learn some new ones.

First, bad things happen to not only good people....but the best of beings. Gracie in no way deserved what happened to her. She's an angel in fur. Christ in no way deserved the treatment he was put through...but yet He went through it. Why do horrible things happen to wonderful people? Well, that's a tough question to answer that I'm not completely sure of. But I do know this, God experienced exactly what its like to be put through actual hell while not deserving it. So in our pain, He reaches out to us to soothe.

Second, trouble will still occur if we're on the path of our Father. My dad was leading Gracie down the road. In fact, she was right on his heels. Regardless, she was ambushed and battered. The same goes for us. If we're following our Heavenly Dad down the road of His choice, it doesn't mean we're exempt from pain and trouble. They're bound to happen. Continue to look at our perfect example, Christ. There's no doubt that He was on the right path, and look at the pain He went through.

Finally, when we're following our Father's lead and bad things still happen inexplicably, comfort comes in Dad's touch...and in His voice. When my dad was taking Gracie to the vet, the one thing that stuck out the most in his mind was the fact that Gracie, while bleeding and in severe pain, dug deep into his lap. She was dazed, hurting, blind, and confused--so she took comfort in the one place she knew...the place where she could curl up in during times of joy and during times of excruciating pain.

Furthermore, just before surgery, the vet brought Gracie to my parents one last time so they could get one last kiss in. Mom and Dad couldn't help but notice how motionless and lifeless she was when the vet brought her out. But when mom started talking to her and touched her, Gracie's tail began to wag and she snuggled up close to Mom.

Its on this last thought that I want to encourage you. There'll be times when you'll feel like a piece of you has literally been ripped from you. Many people have the tendency to withdraw during these times. But take a page from Gracie--dig deep into Dad's lap and listen for His voice. For its in that gentle tone and touch that healing begins.


(In the meantime, please keep my family and me in your prayers.)


Peace