Blind Faith

~~ John 20:29 (NIV84) ~~  Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”


  
by Carley Cooper

Casey - April 2012
Photo by Carley.  All copyrights reserved.
If you’re a regular Worship Melodies follower, you’ve no doubt read about my dog, Casey (a Shih-Tzu).  For those who haven’t, here’s the nutshell version of our long and complicated story with me and canine baby.  I would do anything for him.  Which is why he’s living with my friend now.  See Casey’s new home with my friend, Charlene (not her real name), was originally meant to be temporary until I could secure a place for us to live.  At the time, I knew he had several health issues including the possibility he could go blind.  Well, it happened.  Whether or not I can bring him home now, is irrelevant.  The important thing is what is best for my doggie.  His last sighted place is Charlene’s home.  He needs her and her house now.  I love him enough to give him what he needs most, whether I would prefer him to be with me or not.

The bottom line in Casey’s eye health is that he had to have his eyes removed.  The surgery was scary and expensive.  I wasn’t sure it was a good idea; but the only other option was to put him down... and that in itself was not an option for me, or my friend.  Little Casey had the surgery in February.  Because Charlene lives out of town, I don’t get to see them often.  I finally got to go last week to see him.  Truthfully, I was nervous about it.  What was he going to look like with no eyes and his eyelids sewn shut?  What if he didn’t know me?  Or, worse, what if the fact that I was there and he couldn’t see me upset him?  What if he was depressed because of the issue?  What if I couldn’t handle it emotionally seeing him like that?  I so very much wanted to see him, and I miss him desperately every day; but I also didn’t want it to trigger a bad Bipolar episode in myself or cause Casey any extra stress. 

Well, the day came a couple Saturday’s ago when I went with my parents to see my long lost baby boy.  So what happened?  I’m glad you asked!  Well, in a word I can only describe it as “incredible!”  He was so well adjusted to his new situation without sight that it amazed me.  He knew who I was and was so excited to be with me.  He also knew where to find his food and water and how to get around the house and the yard.  He even knew his way back to the door when he was outside.  He’s also adjusting his behaviours to compensate for his lack of sight.  For example, Casey was never one to bark when he wanted out, or to be picked up.  He used to sit and stare at me as quiet as a mouse when it was pee-pee time.  Quite often I would say to him “Stop staring at me like that.  You’re creeping me out.  Why can’t you be like other doggies and scratch at the door to get out?”  Most of the time, I was sure that if he could talk he would reply with “’Cause I’m not other doggies.  I’m me.”; and for that I was very grateful because I love him just the way he is.  Anyway, in his new circumstances, because he can’t sit and stare anymore, he’s finally started to whine to go out, or get attention.

Immediately when I saw him, I could tell that he was feeling better.  The vet said that he was in a lot of pain before; which I didn’t know until late in the situation.  He’s not in pain anymore.  He’s blind, old (13 years), with a heart murmur; and he’s playing like he did at half his age.  My friends dog, Snowy (an American Eskimo), has taken it upon herself to be Casey’s protector.  She senses that he needs her and does things, like keeping him from wandering onto the road.  Snowy even got a little cranky each time my Dad got too close to Casey.  It’s wonderful to watch them together.

As I watched my baby and interacted with him I couldn’t help but see the wonders of God at work.  I realized that Casey is an inspiration to me.  He is totally dependent on Charlene and Snowy.  He has complete faith in both of them.  He trusts them to care for him, make sure there’s food and water available, to let him out, and play with him.  He doesn’t worry about things like “What if she doesn’t fill my water bowl?”, “What if I get lost outside?”, “What if she doesn’t love me because I’m blind?”  These things are neither here nor there to him.  He’s blind and yet completely happy.  He knows without a doubt that his needs will be met.

Casey - 2008 or 2009
Photo by Carley.  All copyrights reserved.
  
This is how God wants us to respond to Him.  How often do we give Him our total trust?  Even in the strongest of faith, we often have lingering doubts in our hearts.  “I know God won’t let me go homeless, but what if I can’t pay my rent this month?  Will He make sure I get money from somewhere else?”, “I know God won’t let me stay single forever, but what if He does?”, “I know God wants me to write a book, but what if He doesn’t have a plan for me to publish it?, or to sell it?”, “I had a falling out with a friend who I’m convinced no longer likes me.  God told me that things will work out, but what if they don’t fall into place and my friendship isn’t restored after all?” 

The list of doubts and “What if’s” are endless.  However, God wants us to trust Him.  He loves us and He will take care of us.  He won’t abandon us; ever!  He is longing for us to give Him our full blind faith. 



~~ Dear God ~~  Thank You for never leaving me, or giving up on me.  Thank You for the journey that You are taking me on; even the hard stuff because I know that this means You love me enough to want to mold me into the person You know I can be.  Please empty my heart of doubts and “What if’s”; open it up to be able to give full blind faith to You.  In Jesus name, AMEN.




42 comments :

  1. Beautiful story of trust!

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    1. Thank you so very much! I'm glad you liked it. I hope you are blessed by it. HUGS.

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  2. ELZANNE2May 05, 2012

    I enjoyed your blog. It's timely. The Lord is also speaking to me about trusting Him in the details of my todays and tomorrows. He promised that He will be with us, that He will never leave us or forsake us.

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    1. Thank you so very much! I'm glad it spoke to you. I hope you are blessed by it. HUGS.

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  3. A wonderful testament showing an example blind faith we are told to have in God.

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    1. Thank you so very much! I'm glad you liked it. I hope you are blessed by it. HUGS.

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  4. I am proud to call you friend!
    I've had blind doggies before. I know what a joy they can be.

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    1. Thank you so very much for the awesome support! I'm proud to call you friend too. Blessings to you. HUIGzzzzzz

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  5. AnonymousMay 05, 2012

    God bless you for sharing this encouraging and incredible story! Blind Faith!

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    1. Thank you so very much. I'm glad you liked it. I hope you are blessed by it. HUGS.

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  6. AnonymousMay 06, 2012

    Wonderful example of God's love and the kind of faith we should have with our Lord.

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    1. Thank you. God is good and His beauty is everywhere. I'm glad you liked my article. I hope you are blessed by it. HUGS

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  7. SUNSET09May 06, 2012

    Thank you so much for sharing as I was just reflecting on this today. If we were more like the animals that God put on this Earth, not concerned about tomorrow and knowing that He will supply all of our needs as He does it for us over and over again. :-) ya! Way to go.

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    1. Thank you SUNSET09. You are so right... if only we knew what the animals know instinctively, the world wouldn't be in such a mess. But God is good! One day we will be like that. Blessings to you and your family. HUGS.

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  8. This one I really love!... Blind Love! It's incredible how pets can adapt better most times than people. When you write your book I want to be one of the first people to read it! Your posts really inspire me!

    Thank you Carley!

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    1. Thank you Ray. I'm so glad you're touched by it. That's why I keep writing... to share my stories of God's grace and mercy. Blessings to you and your family. HUGS.

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    2. Blessings to you and your family as well!

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  9. LADYROSE49May 06, 2012

    AWESOME Carley AWESOME!!! I love Shih-Tzu's. I have one named Yanni. I also have a blind dog named Belle. They are my furry children. Belle has adapted real well. She is wonderful.

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    1. Thank you so much. I'm glad you liked it. I see God so often in my animals. I also have a lovebird named Chicklet. Today and yesterday, I've had my patio door open because the weather is so beautiful outside. Chicklet can hear other birds outside chirping and he starts in a little birdie conversation back and forth. It's so incredible to watch and listen to. God's beauty is all around us. Blessings to you. HUGS.

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  10. Wonderful example of God's love towards us and what our faith should be like day by day.

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    1. Thank you so very much. I'm glad you liked it. I hope you are blessed by it. HUGS.

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  11. CHERYLSBUTTMay 06, 2012

    I want to be like Abram who listened and obeyed when God said, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to a land that I will show you." God has a plan, we might not know all the details...but if we walk in faith...Oh what rejoicing there will be!
    Thanks for sharing and affirming me!

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    1. AMEN! Indeed He does have a plan, and an awesome one at that for each one of us who are His children. I'm so glad you liked it. Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it. Blessings to you. HUGS.

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  12. ANGELREJOICES54May 06, 2012

    Thank you

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    1. Thank you so very much. I'm glad you liked it. I hope you are blessed by it. HUGS.

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  13. Thank you

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    1. Thank you so very much! I'm glad it spoke to you. I hope you are blessed by it. HUGS.

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  14. SPARKLISEMay 06, 2012

    Glad to know your little dog is doing ok.
    I hope you're doing ok too.!
    Hugs

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    1. Thank you so very much. He's great, and me too. I think my stressful situation is over. I have to meet with someone at the end of the week about it, but I think all will be great. God is good. Blessings to you. HUGS.

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    2. SPARKLISEMay 07, 2012

      Awesome. Hugs.

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  15. LILORITAMay 07, 2012

    Thank you for sharing, it was very encouraging.

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    1. Thank you so very much! I'm glad it spoke to you. I hope you are blessed by it. HUGS.

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  16. Thanks for sharing Carley! What a cute dog. I have Shih Tzu's too! Such a great reminder on fully trusting God!

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    1. Thank you for reading and the feedback. I love Shih-Tzu's. Their temperament is so wonderful. Everyone is like a long lost BFF... even if they just met you. lol I love it. Just like Jesus! Blessings to you. HUGS.

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    2. Thanks Carley! God Blessed me every day :-D
      Hugs
      Shih-Tzus are so sweet and loving - Just like Jesus! You are so right!
      Have a Blessed day!
      Shari

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  17. TLOVESC1125May 07, 2012

    My grandma use to tell me Let go and Let God all the time. Thank you so much for reminding me of this!

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    1. Thank you so very much! I'm glad it spoke to you. I hope you are blessed by it. HUGS.

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  18. MARANATHA32May 07, 2012

    I read your story. it was very touching and brought tears to my eyes. thank you for sharing it

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    1. Thank you so very much! It's a blessing to me to know that it spoke to you so much. Blessings to you. HUGS.

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  19. AnonymousMay 09, 2012

    Yes, if only we had the resilience that our pets have. -- Evelyn

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    1. Oh, if only. I'm thinking if only we had the ability to love unconditionally as they do... what a wonderful world it would be. Blessings to you. HUGS.

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