A Time for Grace

Hello friends,

I want to thank you for forwarding my blog posts to your friends and family. It means so much to me. I love the thought of someone I’ve never known, sharing a part of my heart. So, your thoughtfulness is a great blessing to me.

Friday, this past week, my daughter and I went to pick out her puppy. Now, this is the daughter who had to say good-by to her precious Schnauzer, Morgan, recently. It was a terrible blow for all of us, but especially for the one who fed her, slept with her, loved her, and cared for her. We had a lot of conferences in our family, to help our daughter decide what to do. So, on Friday I went with Jenny to look at Miniature Schnauzers.

The place was immaculate, at least as far as caring for puppies can be. This was no puppy mill, but a nice home with beautifully cared for dogs. The third puppy that Jenny picked up was white with reddish brown patches. Her eyes are a deep green. Who ever heard of a dog with green eyes? But the real miracle was her temperament: sweet and gentle, just like Morgan. Of course, we brought her home, and Jenny named her Pixel. How like a Media Specialist to name her dog, Pixel.

Pixel is sheer delight. She just makes your heart feel warm and toasty, and when she looks directly into our eyes, we melt all over the place. She makes me think of Morgan. So I can’t help but wonder. Was I patient enough? Did I give Morgan all that she needed? Did I make her happy? By the end, Morgan couldn’t hear, smell, or see, and her breathing was raspy. She seemed to struggle for every breath. And she was in terrible pain. Allowing her to suffer would have been a selfish act for us. Releasing her from pain was the kindest thing we could have done. Yet, even with Jenny’s Pretty Pixel to delight my heart, I miss Morgan every day.

Morgan taught me one of the most important lessons in my life. She taught me that no matter who you are, if you love with gentleness in your life, when you die, you will go with grace. There is a part of our hearts that will always hold a blessed place for Morgan. She was a faithful companion, and I learned a lesson that I never realized until she was gone. Morgan taught me how to grow old with grace. She taught me that the heart that is faithful, loving, gentle, and humble will live forever in the memories of the loved ones left behind.

I’m still learning from Morgan. My nearly 62 years pales in comparison with her aged loveliness. Every time I feel desperately old, I remember that Morgan lived her life to the very end, with sweetness and grace, even when she no longer knew who we were.

Jesus said that our Father in heaven knows each sparrow, personally. He also told us that we are worth more than many sparrows. I can’t help but wonder how many Morgans it would take for us to be as precious as she. So, good-by Morgan, and hello Pixel. Each little dog serves their purpose well. Morgan, Jenny’s lifelong companion, was friend, confidant, and protector, all wrapped up in a joyful, barking, tumbling, and priceless companion. Pixel has been a miracle wrapped up in the tiniest, beautiful body. Pixel is healing Jenny’s heart.

Father, let us never forget our stewardship of these precious pets, that you have placed in our charge. Help us to remember that You brought the animals (your created creatures) to Adam, and You waited (with much joyful anticipation, I imagine) to discover what Adam would name them. Perhaps there was a little black dog, named Morgan.

With love,
Jaye Lewis
www.entertainingangels.org
http://entertainingangelsencouragingwords.blogspot.com/