Always with You

Life has its ups and downs, its challenges and joys. Today is challenging. 

We found out yesterday that our dog has metastatic cancer, and so today we're saying goodbye. She has been the best dog, and that's an understatement. She's gentle (which is hard when you weigh closer to 200 lbs) and sweet. She's all the things I hoped for in a dog, and I will miss her like crazy. 

I'm not sharing this to be a downer. I am sad, but my goal is to be honest, sharing the reality without a shiny filter. We all need to know we aren't alone. I was crying at the stove last night while I was making dinner. I heard Jesus use his name for me. He said, “I'm with you." And I just responded, “I know you are." He kindly pushed back, “No, look I am with you." And I looked, his hand was wrapped around my right upper arm, and I looked to my left, and he was just looking into my eyes. “I'm here." I love those eyes. They hold my gaze and meet me in joy and heartache with the same deep love and intensity. 

Sometimes life just hurts, the diagnosis, the news. My hope and prayer is that you know in every fiber of your being that God is with you. Your heart, and your life matter. He is the good God. Nothing is too great or too small. He made you out of an outpouring of his infinite love, and his infinite love will meet you in every moment no matter where you are. He will never leave you or forsake you.