Two years ago yesterday, we lost our sweet dog, Olivia. It was a very warm winter day. She went out onto our pond (that was frozen the day before) and fell in. We were at a funeral for a family member and no one was there to rescue her.
I was heartbroken and inconsolable.
I didn’t understand why God had let our sweet dog die this way with no one to help her.
As I reflect on that day, God was there with us. He did not let my children be the ones who found her. It was my husband. A friend was there to help him pull her from the pond.
A friend was there for me as I wept uncontrollably over the phone.
As I questioned God, He gave me this verse-
What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. Matt. 10:29 NLT
If a single sparrow can’t fall to the ground without Him knowing, Olivia did not die without His knowledge either.
God understood my pain and was with me through it. He never left me.
When it was hard to pray–and it was–He was there praying for me. The Holy Spirit was interceding for me, too.
Adonai (God’s name meaning my Lord) promises:
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Ps. 34:18.
God sees all things and knows all things. Pain and death are terrible things. Unfortunately, this is the life we live on this earth.
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Death is normal. Death is a part of life, whether or not we like it.
One day death will be thrown into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:14). No more death, only eternal life.
Until then, parents will mourn over the loss of their child or unborn baby; people will mourn over the loss of parents, friends, and siblings to terrible diseases and accidents. Friends will lose friends.
It was not part of God’s original plan. It came as a result of sin and the fall.
The good news is God is with us. He will never die; He will never leave us or forsake us. In our pain and grief, we can find God, and He promises to be near us.
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Jesus knows loss, pain, and grief. He experienced everything we do so He would understand exactly how we feel and how to comfort us. (Hebrews 4:14-16.)
My son had a dream one night after Olivia died. In his dream every animal we have loved and lost came up from a hole in the ground. Each was perfect and alive. Each one remembered us. He shed tears thinking we would see Olivia and our other beloved pets again.
But, we have this hope: we can see those we have lost–every child, mother, father, sibling, and friend–in Heaven. All we need is to put our faith and trust in the One who died and rose again to give us eternal life–Jesus the Messiah.
I pray you know Jesus as your Savior and Lord!
If this spoke to you or feel someone can relate to my story, please share it.
Thank you!
Dear friend; I regret I had not met you and Mr. Mike at that time; for I would have certainly prayed with you over this. Losing family members (two-legged or four-legged) is such a heartbreaking trial. I am grateful God’s word resides within you; we need that divine wisdom to help us through these terrible difficulties. I suspect many, including your and my family, will suffer more tremendous losses in coming days. When we do, let us look back to the lesson you shared with us here today Ms. Stephanie. God’s blessings ma’am. Next “baby check” (every couple of hours today), I’m hugging all my four-legged babies I can get hold of.
Yes, hug all your loved ones. We don’t know how long we have with any of our family, 2 or 4 legged. Happy baby checking…such an exciting time. Hopefully, we will have baby goats sometime in May. Olivia knew when they were born. She would sit by the door of the barn until I let her in to see the newborn babies…She was an awesome dog. Gone too soon.
I can only imagine your sadness in losing your sweet dog, Stephanie. It’s reassuring to know God understands and comforts us.
Thank you, Jeannie. Yes, He is there in our time of need.
Stephanie, I understand your heartbreak. Been there many times. I, too, am thankful God never leaves us and for His comfort in our times of sorrow.