Jesus will never leave us
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
Faith Fitness
Bro. Sam Kaufman
Ginger was more than a mere pet to my in-laws. The tiny peekapoo was considered as a family member.
She went everywhere with Frank and Linda Lewis. When Frank and Linda were hospitalized two years ago with RSV, Ginger stayed at home and was out of sorts without them there.
It was Christmas, and Frank gave me direct orders that he wanted to go home and be with his wife of nearly 60 years and with Ginger.
That desire was granted a day or two later. Frank and Linda were discharged from the hospital. They went home together, though Frank still wasn’t doing well.
That night, Frank talked with family members in the living room before going to bed with Linda and Ginger.
God gave him his desire to be with his family members at home one more time. Frank died that night at the place he wanted to be.
From that point on, Ginger was a service dog to Linda. Before, it was the three of them, and now, it was the two of them.
Ginger went everywhere with Linda, including during travels to see family members.
When Linda flew by plane, Ginger was right there with her on every trip.
We drove to Kentucky to be with them this Christmas. After about a week there, we returned home. Linda and Ginger came with us.
Though Ginger was 15 years old, she still had a lot of spunk in her. At times, she was playful – just like a puppy.
After a couple of weeks into their visit, Ginger began displaying some health complications one day.
She had trouble breathing, and she didn’t want to eat or drink.
We were all concerned about the little dog. With her age taken into consideration, we knew it could be serious.
When we went to bed, my wife told her mom to inform us if Ginger’s condition worsened.
At around 4:45 a.m., we learned that Ginger wasn’t doing well. We went downstairs to their bedroom, and Ginger was having a rough go of it. She was still clinging to life and had her little paws wrapped around one of Linda’s arms.
A few moments later, Ginger was gone. Obviously, Linda had a very difficult time with it – even more so than most who lost a longtime pet.
For Linda, Ginger was a link to her late husband and the memories they shared together. When her husband died, Linda clung to Ginger. She now lost that security of her pet companion.
The family prayed for comfort for Linda.
At church the other night, I felt like God gave me some words to help console her.
Though we lose spouses, parents, family, and friends in this life, there is one who will always be with us if we have that relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Jesus will never leave us.
He is the one we truly need. It is interesting to note that it is God who creates all things. He’s the one who created our family members, us and our pets.
He isn’t going anywhere.
He desires to communicate with us. He desires to provide peace and comfort when we need it.
We live, and move, and have our being in Him. He is very close to us.
Colossians 1:16 states, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou has created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” – Revelation 4:11.
