Brendan Jones 🇺🇸@jonesbrendanm
On the eve of the initial hearing, I reflect back on the past three weeks of this fight to #SaveLucy, the dog I rescued from war ten years ago who has been taken by the police.
It began small, reaching out to friends and acquaintances with a petition that we didn't know would ever reach 100 names. Now it sits at 1,600 and is still climbing. The day they took my dog, I felt numb. All I could think to do was tell the story on X. I shared it on a post by @mattvanswol and it got 100 likes. Now my posts are being viewed almost 100 thousand times a day. It's been quite the journey.
The Lord works in mysterious ways. I wouldn't have chosen to go through this, but in a strange way, I am thankful that I have.
It's given me more time with Lex, our other military rescue dog. Sweet, silly Lex has always been the overlooked step-child in this family, but no more. As Lucy once filled a need that was created by a separation from my newborn son, Lex is now filling the need caused by a separation from Lulu, my desert pearl.
I have long thought that I should catalogue old family photos and videos, but I never got around to it. Life was always too busy, or so I told myself. It wasn't. I just didn't have my priorities in order. I do now. You can't stop time. You can't stop kids from growing up. You can't stop dogs from growing old. You shouldn't. Never forget to be present in the moment. You will never get it back. Memories are the only keepsakes.
This has given me a chance to get to know hundreds, if not thousands, of great people. I've done my best to keep up with comments and messages you all have sent me about Lucy, but I know I've been missing some. I appreciate you all. Special thanks to @LoneStarChica.
Most importantly by far, however, I am grateful for the spiritual awakening that this ordeal has occasioned in me. If it takes hard times for me to be this receptive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, then I pray to God to never remove the thorn from my flesh (okay, maybe not this particular thorn) that has tuned my heart, with precision, to sing praises to the Lord. For,
"What tho' my joys and comforts die?
The Lord my Saviour liveth;
What tho' the darkness gather round?
Songs in the night he giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that refuge clinging;
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,
How can I keep from singing?"
Praise to Him who brings songs in the night to allay my fears. Whose rod and staff comfort me, even in the shadow of death. Who promises that joy comes in the morning. Praise to a God whose power is made perfect in weakness.
Thank you God, for making me low. Please be with my dog. If it be your will that Lucy is reunited with her family, make it so. If not, give us the strength to endure and to better discern your will for our lives.
Amen
