Many years ago, Mom and Dad took a ministry trip to Switzerland and Sweden. Even when they were far from home, Mom was always drawn to dogs, and if she encountered dogs anywhere on their trips, she would tell me all about them when she came home. She loved them all. This trip was no different. The family they stayed with had two dogs Mom fell in love with, and this time, she was especially smitten. “One day, you’re going to have dogs like these,” she told me. “I’m going to pray for that. I love those two dogs!” She was always talking about dogs she had met, but Mom had never made a prediction that one day I’d have a particular type of dog. I didn’t give it too much thought, even though she was adamant about those dogs and me.A few days ago, I was going through Dad’s photos when I found this one tucked between layers of other photos in a frame. Mom and Dad are all smiles with the dogs she had fallen in love with on her trip – the type of dogs she was certain I would someday have. I found that photo on a day when I was missing Mom and Dad extra hard. Sometimes, it hits me with full
force that both of my parents are gone. Mom never met Mabel and Maddie, and she would have loved them so much. When this photo was taken, I didn’t even have dogs, but somehow, she knew. Mabel and Maddie were sitting beside me as I looked at the photo, and it took my breath away. One dog had the same goofy smile as Maddie, and the other dog had a box-shaped face and freckles like Mabel. In that moment, I knew God was giving me another small gift of peace during my grief. Another reminder that even in loss, we find treasures to remind us how near He is.
force that both of my parents are gone. Mom never met Mabel and Maddie, and she would have loved them so much. When this photo was taken, I didn’t even have dogs, but somehow, she knew. Mabel and Maddie were sitting beside me as I looked at the photo, and it took my breath away. One dog had the same goofy smile as Maddie, and the other dog had a box-shaped face and freckles like Mabel. In that moment, I knew God was giving me another small gift of peace during my grief. Another reminder that even in loss, we find treasures to remind us how near He is.