Will she go in the backyard?
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Spirituality and Faith
Dr. Jeff Fuller
I was remembering a story from a few years ago while we were on the road. I had to get the girls to remind me, because I can be a little forgetful sometimes.
Do not get too overconfident, because you do, as well. I believe the reason is because we have too much stored in our head, and the processor slows down the older we get. Sometimes we have to rely on a little help to remember what we are trying to remember before we forget what we think we have forgotten.
Now, where was I going with this story? Oh, this was a story I had forgotten until the girls reminded me of the story.
Granny Ruby and Chelsea were in the hospital at the same time. Not in the same hospital; different hospitals at the same time. Ruby was in Baptist South and Chelsea – her sweet companion (a Yorkie Teacup) – at the Animal Hospital.
Granny was being cared for by Tina; I was relegated to caring for the dog. When I say sweet, in reference to this dog, it was to Ruby, Tina and Savannah. But when the relationship came to myself and the dog, well, she got on my nerves. Barking, nipping at my heels, carrying on as if I was the intruder, was a normal day for us. She hated me.
When she was sick, I was the only one who could handle her. Therefore, when she reached a point where I could not care for her while Ruby was in the hospital, I wrapped her up, put her in Savannah’s lap, and we together admitted her to the Animal Hospital.
They kept her a few days; I called each day to check on her. Tina was busy going back and forth to Montgomery, and Savannah was still a young toddler. Each day Savannah would talk to Granny by phone.
We received a call from the Animal Hospital to inform us Chelsea did not make it through the night. I explained everything to Tina and Savannah as Tina was preparing to leave for another day in Montgomery.
Savannah and I discussed what to do, made our plan and retrieved the body of the dearly departed companion from the hospital. When we arrived home, we carried out our plan. We found a nice box to lay the comrade to rest in, with Savannah decorating it with stickers and art. In the back corner of the yard, under a nice shade tree, I dug the grave under the watchful eye of my daughter.
There in the back corner of the yard we prayed and laid to rest the yapper. Savannah decorated the grave with rocks and a small cross. Then with moist eyes we walked hand-in-hand back to the house.
The next morning Tina received a phone call from the hospital. Savannah and I muted the television, waiting while holding our breath. When Tina disconnected the call she announced, “I am bringing Granny home today.”
Before any questions could be asked from me regarding Ruby’s release from the hospital and the condition of her health issues, Savannah grabbed her mother and looked her in the eyes asking, “Are we going to put her in the backyard with Chelsea?”
Just as I had forgotten this story and needed to be reminded, there are many who have forgotten about God and His great love for mankind. They, too, need to be reminded that the story is about Him; history is His Story.
“Yet I have been the Lord your God since the land of Egypt; And you were not to know any god except Me, for there is no savior besides Me. I cared for you in the wilderness, in the land of drought. As they had their pasture, they became satisfied, and being satisfied, their heart became proud; therefore they forgot Me.” – Hosea 13:4-6
Let us not forget. In the struggles and heartaches we are enduring, in the pain and discomfort of the moment, let us remember He has been with us along this narrow path. He has led us, cared for us, sheltered us, and is meeting our needs. Let us praise Him in this moment. In the storm we will remember and lift Him up.
Until next time…
Dr. Jeff Fuller is pastor of Rockford Baptist Church. You may reach him through the church office at 256-377-4900 or by email at rbccoosa@gmail.com.