What My Dog’s Surgery Taught Me About God!

1 Corinthians 7:17 (MSG) ~~ And don’t be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God’s place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there. God, not your marital status, defines your life. Don’t think I’m being harder on you than on the others. I give this same counsel in all the churches.

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by Carley Cooper

My dog had surgery this week, and it helped me re-learn an important message about faith. 

I have a shih-tzu dog named Maggie.  She will have her first birthday on April 6th.  I already have a special gift bought for the occasion.  She is my baby. 

Maggie went to the Ontario SPCA here in Barrie this week to be spayed and to have a microchip inserted in the scruff of her neck.  (Side note: I went there because they have a low-cost spay/neuter program, that costs much less than going to my regular vet to have the surgery done – check it out with your local SPCA). 

Panic Set In

I was being a responsible pet-parent I thought.  Later it occurred to me just what I had done.  I left her with complete strangers… to allow them to do major surgery on her no less!  Not only that but I paid them to do it!  I trusted they would take care of her, that they would not hurt her, and that they knew what they were doing. 

“Am I crazy or something?”, was my initial thought.  What if she didn’t come out OK?  What if they did something to hurt her (accidentally or on purpose).  What if she didn’t survive the surgery?  

God Defines Your Life

Well, Maggie survived the surgery.  And, amazingly enough, so did I!  She’s stuck wearing this cone shaped collar around her head for the next seven to ten days, which I’m not sure is harder on her or me.  But we will both survive it, I’m sure. 

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I have no reason not to trust these wonderful people at the SPCA.  I know, realistically, that they would never intentionally hurt my Maggie any more than I would.  It hit me later that so often I don’t trust God as much as I trust some people.  Sometimes, I don't have enough faith in God to take care of me and my needs.  Why is that?

I look to other people every day for so many things.  I take medications daily for Bipolar Disorder.  I never question if they’re truly OK for me or not.  I trust my parents to drive me places I need to go.  I trust my church family to support me through hard times, and help me on my spiritual walk toward God.  I trust our pastors to preach biblically-sound messages.  I trust other people to grow, prepare, and package the food I eat every day.  The list can go on and on with the things that I have to depend on other people to do for me to make my life better.  Yet, there are things that I want to trust God for, but so often I wonder if it’s really in His plan for me.  What if I never get married again?  Should I leave it in His hands or not?  Maybe I should just go out and find a man on my own.  Why do I have to go through this when others don’t?

I think about this a lot.  Then, the other day, I saw this bible verse.  1 Corinthians 7:17 (MSG) ~~ And don’t be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God’s place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there. God, not your marital status, defines your life. Don’t think I’m being harder on you than on the others. I give this same counsel in all the churches. 

God is in Control

The truth is, God tries all the time to make sure I know this.  At least a few times per week, I see this message somewhere; “Don’t worry.  I’m saving you for someone special.”  Just the same way that I take care of Maggie because I love her, God will take care of me because He loves me.  If Maggie could talk, would she have chosen to go ahead with the surgery?  Probably not.  I chose for her, because it’s what’s best for her.  She will have a healthier life because of it.  Plus, if she gets lost, the microchip will help me find her again.  I am where I am at this moment in time because God wants me to be here.  Whatever my future holds depends on it.  Everything that happens in my life is under God’s control.  He has only my best interests at heart.

Joel Osteen said “You may not be where you want to be, but you can look back and thank God you’re not where you used to be.”

Can I trust God with my future, and what’s best for me?  Absolutely! 

I saw this photo on Facebook the other day.  I think it’s something we would all do well to keep in mind.  

Let’s Pray

Dear God ~~ Wonderful, loving, ever-faithful Father so often I want to go off on my own and take control of my own life.  Please forgive me for the lack of faith.  Thank You for never giving up on me and the lesson’s You need me to learn.  Help me to always remember that You are in control always, and that You only have my best interests at heart.  I know whatever my future holds, will contain blessings beyond anything my imagination can come up with.  Thank You for those blessings.  I pray in Jesus name, AMEN

Now It’s Your Turn

Thoughts?  Questions?  Want to share your story?  Ask for prayer? Please share in the comments section.

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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.”

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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. 

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~~ 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.

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When the Impossible Happens

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~~ Mark 9:23 (ESV) ~~  And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”

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by Carley Cooper

There’s a song by country music singer, Joe Nichols, called The Impossible.  It’s been going through my mind today.  The lyrics remind me of how I’m feeling about some circumstances in my life right now.

The Impossible

My dad chased monsters from the dark,

He checked underneath my bed.

An' he could lift me with one arm,

Way up over top his head.

He could loosen rusty bolts

With a quick turn of his wrench.

He pulled splinters from his hand,

And never even flinched.

In thirteen years I'd never seen him cry,

But the day that grandpa died, I realized:

Unsinkable ships sink.

Unbreakable walls break.

Sometimes the things you think would never happen,

Happen just like that.

Unbendable steel bends.

If the fury of the wind is unstoppable,

I've learned to never underestimate,

The impossible

An' then there was my junior year,

Billy had a brand new car.

It was late, the road was wet,

I guess the curve was just too sharp.

I walked away without a scratch.

They brought the helicopter in.

Billy couldn't feel his legs.

They said he'd never walk again.

But Billy said he would an' his mom and daddy prayed,

An' the day we graduated, he stood up to say:

Unsinkable ships sink.

Unbreakable walls break.

Sometimes the things you think would never happen,

Happen just like that.

Unbendable steel bends.

If the fury of the wind is unstoppable,

I've learned to never underestimate,

The impossible

So don't tell me that it's over.

Don't give up on you and me.

'Cause there's no such thing as hopeless,

If you believe:

Unsinkable ships sink.

Unbreakable walls break.

Sometimes the things you think would never happen,

Happen just like that.

Unbendable steel bends.

If the fury of the wind is unstoppable,

I've learned to never underestimate,

The impossible

I’m tempted to ask you if you have ever felt like you’ve been in an impossible situation.  However, I know I don’t have to ask you that.  I know you have; because we all have at some point in our lives.  Life seems to have a way of backing us into a corner leaving us to feel like there is no way out.  There’s no solution possible to the problem. 

Right now I’m feeling very hurt, angry and even betrayed by someone I love dearly.  I don’t claim to be innocent in the situation.  Just the opposite; I blame myself for everything.  It’s left me completely disoriented, confused and grieving in the worst way.  I see that a friendship that I knew for sure was completely solid and immovable, no longer is.  It’s left me wondering if it ever was solid; was it ever real in the first place?  Was I misleading myself this whole time?  What else or who else in my life am I deceiving myself about?  I opened myself up to this person and left myself in a completely vulnerable state trusting this person totally, and it backfired on me.  I was rejected because of my brokenness.  Then, to cloud the issue even more for me I found out that confidences were broken; and my most broken parts have been shared with someone who was not invited into the situation.  Nothing looks clear to me anymore.  I am not sure who or what I can trust.  I knew with absolute certainty that this friendship was real and solid.  I counted and depended on it.  I was wrong.  At the moment, I no longer trust my own judgment on anything.  It’s left me feeling like I can’t trust that the sky is indeed blue or that the grass is in fact green; let alone who is telling me the truth.  Of course all this, in itself, causes even more emotional turmoil through a truck load of guilt, because I keep thinking that others have problems so much worse than mine.  I should just let it go and forget my feelings.

There was another situation once where I knew something was impossible.  I knew with absolute certainty that God would never keep me separated from my dog, Casey.  I knew that I would be able to bring Casey home to live with me where he belongs once my living situation was settled.  I made very important life decisions based on the fact that Casey is definitely coming home.  If I thought for one instant that he wasn’t I certainly would not have chosen the options I did.  I was trusting God; keeping my faith in Him without any weakness in it.  I wasn’t budging an inch in my faith!  Except it didn’t happen.  Even though I had medical support that I need him and my lawyer said that the law is on my side, Casey can’t come home now even if the circumstances changed; because it’s in his best interest to stay where he is.  He’s blind now and his last sighted place is at my friends house; which was meant to be a temporary solution until I could put myself in a position to bring him home.  Not only that but her dog, Snowy, has succumbed to her instincts to become Casey’s new eyes.  Little Snowy guides Casey around the back yard, the house, and keeps him from wandering onto the road.  Whether I like it or not now, Casey needs them more than me.  Casey’s needs have to come before mine.  He is staying where he is.  I love him enough for that.     

Another time when I underestimated the impossible was many years ago when I dated a guy, that I’ll call, Brian (not his real name).  We dated for about six months.  I was so head-over-heels in love with this guy.  He felt the same about me.  He treated me like a queen.  One day we were downtown and stopped at a hotdog vendor where he bought a jumbo hotdog for us to share together.  I mean, literally, together.  He was eating from one end while I was eating from the other end.  We giggled our way through it the way we giggled our way through everything we did together.  When we got to the center we ended with a kiss. 

A couple of girls walked by as we were eating and saw us.  One said to the other “See, that’s what being in love is all about.  That’s what I want.” 

It made me feel good.  Brian and I looked at each other smiling, but didn’t say anything.  We didn’t have to.  We knew what she meant, because we felt it.  It wasn’t long after, that he ended the relationship.  I was so in love with this man.  It was so real to me; more than anyone else that I had been with.  This was the same guy that took me on a grocery shopping date.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Grocery shopping date, and I could not have had more fun at anything if I tried.  I had a blast!  How could something that real, be fake?  Yet it ended, so therefore I know it wasn’t real and never was. 

Thinking about the impossible being possible; at this time in the year, I can’t help but think about the impossible feat that Jesus accomplished for us at Easter.  He willingly put Himself through punishment, humiliation,  suffering, sacrifice, betrayal, and much more that we are not even capable of imagining.  He died, fought death and came back to life again after three days.  He went through all this because He loves each one of us that much.  If I could go back in time, knowing what I know now I would not make the same decisions that I have made so far.  I would choose very differently.  I would not open up so much to someone that I thought was a friend.  I would not let my living situation be such that Casey couldn’t come home; even if I knew about his future blindness.  I would alter my course to avoid going through these pains.  But Jesus is eternal.  He’s outside of time.  He knew what was going to happen.  He already knew that we would sin against Him and we would need to be saved; yet He did went through all that pain and suffering for us anyway.  He loves us that much.

All these events in my life leave me with the same questions; How could my judgement have been so off?  If my judgment is that off on something that important, then how can I know that anything around me or anyone I interact with is real or trustworthy?  Where does it end?  Where do the boundaries start and stop with trust?  I honestly don’t know.  My vision has been clouded with much pain; and is made even more so through the filter of Bipolar Disorder and the medication cocktail that goes along with that.  The only thing I know for sure that I can trust is Jesus.  I will sit and wait for His direction; even then, I may have to ask Him to confirm and reconfirm His instructions to me.  I will have to pay extra close attention to every detail for a while to make sure I know when He’s directing me; to make sure that it’s not the enemy taking advantage of my vulnerability to lead me astray.  It is overwhelmingly difficult to concentrate and focus, but when nothing else looks clear; when I don’t know what is real and what isn’t around me, I know that I have to focus on Jesus.  I know that He is real and as long as I focus on Him nothing is impossible.

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Joe Nichols – The Impossible

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~~ Dear God ~~  Thank You for the impossible feat that You accomplished through the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus on the cross for us.  Thank You for never giving up on me, even in spite of my brokenness.  Please help me to clearly see Your direction in my life; to clearly see the enemies attempts at misdirection, and open my heart to true forgiveness of those who have hurt me.  Especially, help me to forgive myself as well, Lord, so that my heart is completely free to focus on You.  ~In Jesus name, AMEN.

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JOE NICHOLS lyrics are property and copyright of their owners. "The Impossible" lyrics provided for educational purposes and personal use only.

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Big Dreams

~~Acts 16:31~~ Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved.

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Photo by Carley

Well, it is finally here.  The first day of summer!  Yea!!!  I love summer.  If God let me run the world, the first rule I would make would be ‘No more winter’.  The second rule would be ‘No more need for long pants’... or shoes.  I am not a huge fan of long pants.  I like living in shorts, skirts and tank tops as much as possible.  It feels so much less restrictive; and I love feeling so feminine.  Some may think that this is a silly dream, but I think that is a fun dream.  Summer is a great time for dreaming.  What do you dream about?  I think about romance, drive-in movies, long walks along the beach at dusk, water-balloon fights, and pansies (because they were my Grandmother’s favourite).  The whole world just seems lighter, happier, and freer in the summer time. 

I had a chance recently to write about one of my dreams.  The requested topic was to write about a place that I would like to travel.  Well, that was not something I had to sit and think about for more than half a second.  Italy.  La bella Italia.  Just the sound of it is romantic.  I have dreamed most of my life of going to Italy.  In a perfect world, I would go on an extended tour, taking maybe a couple years to take in the culture and beauty of Italia.  Then maybe I would buy an old villa in the Tuscan country side that I could fix up, where I could spend some time.  I am not sure why I have always had such a passion for Italy, I just now it is there. 

A perfect day would be to wander through city streets chatting with fascinating people and having lunch at some small bistro.  Then I would go on to spend the afternoon picking through old treasures at a flea market.  One of a kind items that I could never find anywhere else.  Things that I could bring home and use to decorate my house in Canada to look like that old Tuscan villa.  Another afternoon might be spent posing for a slightly risqué portrait painted by a fine-looking ‘starving’ Italian artist.  Or maybe, I could go to a vineyard and experience a wine and cheese tasting, Italian style.   Then, to accept a dinner invitation to a big Italian party from a handsome gentleman who speaks to me with such romance, yet I have no clue what he is saying; and it does not matter because we are having so much fun together.

As I did some research on this topic so I could write about it, I found myself being led to biblical resources about faith.  I was surprised, but as I thought about it; that is exactly what a dream is all about.  It is faith in God that the dream He has put into your heart will indeed come to be reality one day.  When you have a dream that is a passion you cannot explain and it never seems to die; it is then you know that your dream is from God.  If God put it there, it is there for a reason.  Our pastor tells us all the time that “God does not waste anything”.  It is by the gift of grace from God that, because we have faith, He will save us (Ephesians 2:8).  What is faith?  “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1 – Emphasis mine).  If all it takes for God to do the amazing undertaking of saving us from spending eternity without Him is for us to simply believe in Jesus, then surely He will have no problems with a dream or two while we are here on earth. 

What are your dreams?  Travel?  A big home?  Missions trips around the globe?  A marriage and a family?  A fulfilling career?  Or maybe, it is simply just to have a vacation for a couple of weeks in a serene place where you can just escape the reality of the world, and focus on Him.  Whatever your dreams, have faith; and it just may become a certainty.  I do suggest, though, that you keep it to something realistic, and never let anyone else take your dream away from you.  For example, I do not expect God to put me in charge as much fun as I am assuming that would be.  Nor do I expect to escape the winter cold, long pants or shoes.  Through prayer and listening to His voice you just may find that the dreams you thought were ‘too crazy to be real’ just may become your world!  Do not be afraid to dream big.  God can handle big dreams!  Maybe I will get to travel to Italy one day.  I have faith.

If I still believed in past lifetimes, as I did before I was a practicing Christian, I would think that in a past lifetime I was Italian.  I feel like I miss it.  I think if I went there today I would want to stay.  I can honestly see that happening.  Well, until next time 'Ciao Baby'.

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~~Dear God~~ Your ways are so amazing.  You give us dreams so that we can hold on to faith in You.  Please help me to always hold on to my big dreams because as long as I have them I will know that I have big faith and that You are forever with me.  In Jesus name, AMEN.

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The Truth

John 14:6 (NIV84) - Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. “

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Photo by Carley

Do you ever wonder about your own belief system?  What I mean is; how do you know that what you know as reality is actually ‘The Truth’?  What is the foundation for what you ‘know’?  Is it your own judgement?  How do you know that you can trust your own perception?  If your reality is a deception, then it is not possible for you to be aware that you are being misled.  It is only by being outside of that experience that you can see the whole picture.

I suffer from Bipolar Disorder and Major Depression.  I do not try to hide that because it is not something to be embarrassed about, despite the attitude of a large percentage of society.  A cancer patient would not be ashamed to have to go for chemotherapy, just as a diabetic would not be humiliated to have blood sugar levels out of whack.  They may be scared, frustrated, angry, or any number of other emotions; but there is no need for shame.  They did not ask for these health issues.  Mental health issues are the result of physical issues within the brain.  It is not a choice, a sin, a crime, a weakness, or a character flaw. 

During the worst of my bipolar episodes, confusion often will set in.  I start to doubt many things.  My trust in anything and everything goes out the window.  I have even doubted and been confused about the circumstances that I see happening around me.  This is a terrifying place to be; especially when one feels alone in the world, which I often do.  This is a misperception, of course, but at the time it is as real as the trees, the sky and the wind around me.  I argue that it is true.  It is not until the incident is over that I am aware of what is genuine; that I have many people who love me.

I read an article recently by a newspaper that has a mission to tell the ‘Truth’; yet all the articles within are anti-Christian / anti-religious and they very proudly support sinful living.  What do they base their evidence of ‘Truth’ on?  Mine is based on the solid Word of God.  Through all of the confusion that I have suffered there is one ‘truth’ that I have never doubted even for an instant.  This is the fact that Jesus is The Truth.  He told us that “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me “.   Sometimes I wonder; whose reality is more clouded?

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~~ Dear God ~~ Thank You for the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus so that we may be with You in Your glorious kingdom.  Please do not let me ever forget this reality.  For all those who have not yet seen the veil lifted, please show them the Light so that they may be led out of the darkness and see the Truth.  In Jesus name, AMEN.

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