It was Irenaeus, one of the Church Fathers who said:  The glory of God is a man fully alive. As I have had a chance to reflect on my own journey I find for me this to be a season when I’m coming alive again.  I sense I’m where God wants me to be and that He is at work in my life preparing me for that which still lies ahead.  

In many ways, people would look at me and see an outward confidence and I am confident in what I do, but I have struggled internally with my own sense of self-worth. I often feel like I’m on the edge of my own strength and ability.  One of the reasons I sense a renewed spirit is because I’m learning again that my confidence is not in self but in the God I love and serve, who is at work in my life.  

I can see through my story how God has led and been at work in my life all along and this gives me a greater sense of confidence that He will continue to do so…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in me will complete it. (Philippians 1:6)  

Our lives are a journey, one that takes us beyond the experiences of just this life to the life we were ultimately made for in heaven.  I have to keep reminding myself there is coming a time when life will be as God intended; when the wounds of this life will be fully healed, the losses of this life fully redeemed and we will reign with Him forever.  

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.  (I Corinthians 2:9) 

The Apostle John writes…We are already God’s children and we can’t even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns.   But we know that when he comes we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.  (1 John 3:2)   

All of creation we are told in Scripture longs for this day. This truth resonates with us, for God has placed eternity in our hearts.  Something within us tells us that this life is not the end of our journey.  The life Christ promised begins in this life but it leads to our ultimate destination.   

At the end of The Chronicles of Narnia, the children are entering to Aslan’s country.  They soon discover that Narnia, everything that brought them joy in life, exists forever in Aslan’s country; only it’s richer and more real than ever. 

Lewis writes…It was the unicorn who summed up what everyone was feeling.  He stamped his right fore-hoof on the ground and neighed, and then cried:  “I have come home at last!  This is my real country!  I belong here.  This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now.  The reason why we loved the old Narnia is that it sometimes looked like this." 

The joys and the adventure we experience in this life only foreshadow all that awaits us in heaven. One of the reasons our hearts long to be on / stay on this journey with God is because one day it will lead us home!

John Eldredge writes…Our search for the golden moment is not a search in vain; not at all.  We’ve only had the timing wrong.  We do not know exactly how God will do it, but we do know this:  the kingdom of God brings restoration.  The only things destroyed are the things outside of God’s realm—sin, disease, death.  But we who are God’s children, the heavens and the earth he has made, will go on forever.  The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and lion and the yearling together.  And the New Jerusalem will be known as the desirable place, the place of the fulfilment of all our desires.

I woke up this morning, very much aware that it was one year ago today we had to say goodbye to our dog Shady.  As I drove by the Veterinarian's office yesterday, I glanced at the big tree in the back where we sat with her through her final moments; we knew it was time, but it didn't make the decision to let her go any easier.  I marvel a year later to realize just how much this event has impacted my life; how wonderful is to share life with a beautiful and loving dog and how sad to have to let her go.

Over the last year we have been able to interact with many who have shared a similar experience / who share a love for dogs.  I've received emails and phone calls from complete strangers who read 'Goodbye Shady' and entered into our story / shared their story.  I've had some wonderful conversations discussing the question, will our pets be in heaven?  I have found great encouragement from the words of Dr. Billy Graham:  God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there.

As many of you know, we now share our home with another dog; an energetic Black Lab cross we have named Chara.  As I reflect back over the past year, I am amazed at the life lessons learned from our dogs.  Shady reminds me of the power of memories; that there is joy and healing grace in sharing memories and telling stories about those who have gone before us.  I often pray that God will flood the hearts of minds of those dealing with loss with good memories of a loved one who has left us; it's a sincere prayer because I understand just how powerful memories can be. 

Shady also reminds be just how beautiful it is to share life together.  Sometimes our journey together is for a long season and sometimes we only travel the path together for a short time, but that which makes life so rich and meaningful is sharing it with those with love; with the family of God; such blessing is one we dare not take for granted.

Having a puppy these past few months has helped me understand again the sacrifice that is necessary to build into lives of those we care about.  On our recent trip back to Ontario, I choose to take Chara with us rather than board her.  It meant always having to be with her, being restricted in where we could go and what we could do and having to put her needs above our own interests, which is not always easy because we are all selfish to one degree or another.  In this the words of Jesus come to mind:  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.  (Mark 10:45)

Perhaps the greatest reminder in all this is the simple but powerful truth that life is a gift; a wonderful from the hand of a good and gracious God.  Because this gift is so wonderful, it is indeed hard to say goodbye, even though we understand in Christ, goodbye is only for a season, until we meet again.  I am encouraged to embrace this gift and live out my life purposefully and joyfully, serving God and blessing others--such a life is the only life worth living.  That I get to share this gift with family and friends, including our four-legged friends, only adds to the blessing of the gift and creates a deeper sense of gratitude and worship for the GIver of the gift!

In Isaiah 41:13-14 our God speaks as the one who will help His people:  I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.  Do not be afraid… for I myself will help you. 

There are times in all our lives, when we become weary; weighed down by the cares of life or just exhausted by the pace of life.  It is in those times, when I am tired and worn out, God is not!  He is the God who is always by our side.  Psalm 121 is a wonderful picture of this aspect of our God. 

The psalm is a song of confession and assurance; it is liturgical in nature, a pilgrimage song.  The words of Psalm 121 would be recited or shared together as God’s people travelled to Jerusalem to participate in / celebrate the feasts.  But it was also a reflection of the heart of God’s people; what they believed about their journey through life.    

I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? (1) 

In those days, travel was often dangerous, the hills and mountains where not safe places.  The Psalmist says when I look around me, it can be scary.  Where do I turn to find help, where do I turn to find strength and courage?

 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. (2)

This is a confession, a statement of what they believed. The word help is a military term; it means ‘help in the battle’.  The people of Israel believed their help was from God himself, Yahweh, the One who created all that there is. 

He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  (3-4) 

These are words of assurance!  Our God works the night shift--keeping watch, guarding and protecting.

The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. (5-6)

The scorching sun in the Middle East was a threat to travelers.  Just as shade provides protection from the sun’s heat, so God protects / shields those who belong to Him.  Day or night, there is no time when He does not watch over us; His protective care will abide with us throughout life’s journey. 

The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.  (7-8) 

He is the God who walks with you; watching, guarding our steps, protecting and screening us from those things which would seek to harm us. And, He is the God who sits up with you when you’re feeling vulnerable and afraid.  And when the morning breaks, Jeremiahs says the new day brings more of His mercy, grace and kindness; for He is a faithful God; He is ferociously devoted to you. 

Yahweh, the Creator of heaven and earth, the God who never slumbers or sleeps is for us!    He is the God who sits up with you!