I am extremely fortunate to be the Parish Secretary at a fantastically strong community based church such as Good Shepherd. I get to see God’s face daily; his miracles and grace, both here and at home with my own family. Despite my job, my family and my faith I don’t always see these things as clearly and as impressively as I did this morning. Today I saw something that filled me with the true meaning of faith, the grace of God and the fact that there is no luck or coincidence in life, but God in everything we see, hear, smell, touch and feel.
A mom and her youngest son from church, whose dog died recently, came to talk to pastor this morning because of his questions about death and get some closure. The grace, love, compassion and caring that God bestows on all of us each and every day unraveled before me with such power and beauty it took everything I had to hold back my tears of joy until they left as to not confuse or scare this young child.
I witnessed God in three distinct things. First, how mom related a story how a family trip, to see her ailing father, showing me how God was gracing this young boy with the life lesson of compassion. She spoke lovingly and proudly of her son’s awesome love for his grandfather saying ‘he said, Grandpa is confused mom, but he knows I am here and I love him,‘ and how her father reacted to his grandson’s love. Second, how this soon to be 1st grader wanted to talk to Pastor about death and how to accept what had happened to their cherished pet. Lastly, as they were leaving, another congregant with a wonderful dog of her own showed up and how this young boy got down to the dog’s level to pet and love on this dog. As the boy loved on the dog, the giggles that ensued from the dog kisses were priceless. God again graced this boy and his family in their time of grief. Even the dog’s owner was touched because as she admitted, “she (the dog) is choosy about who she gives her kissed to!” What a phenomenal way to see God; I am so blessed to have been able to be here for this extraordinary experience.
God is good . . . . All the time! Open your eyes and witness the awesome grace and love God has for all of us; What we take for granted everyday is there!
