Good morning…
I have a story to tell you about a dog, my dad, and the timing of God.
After the loss of our beloved dog Tate in June, we have been working for the past six weeks to find the next golden retriever puppy for our family. With the help of our dog-loving friend, we located our next family member at an Amish farm in Lancaster, PA, a quaint town that I love. At 5:00 pm on Tuesday, I texted the dog lady, “Yes, we will welcome our new pup on Sunday evening.”
Two hours later, at 7:00 pm, I went on a walk and called my parents in Ohio. Excitedly, I told them about the upcoming arrival of our new puppy. Among other things, we talked about my dad’s rising prostate numbers. Last week he had had a procedure, and his doctor visit to review the biopsy results was scheduled for August 27th. “They called from the doctor today, and they want me to come in at 10:30 am tomorrow instead,” he said. I wondered to myself if they had seen something worrisome in his test results.
After a sleepless night, I woke feeling uneasy. I texted the dog whisperer to asked if we could hold off our puppy’s pick up until after we learned about my dad’s biopsy results. She was gracious and kind and agreed to hold off. I bought myself some room to breathe.
I talked to my dad right after his doctor visit. Nine spots in his prostate were detected. Six were not troublesome, but three were “very concerning.” They scheduled another procedure to determine whether his active cancer spots are contained within the prostate or if they have expanded to other parts of his body. This news changed everything.
My high hope of being a puppy momma by the week’s end fell off instantly, and I knew my priority was to be the best daughter possible. In two weeks, I will go to Ohio for a long weekend, caring for my mom in their villa as my dad goes to his two hour dye procedure. The results will help to determine a treatment plan, and my sister, my brother, and I will sort out how best to support our parents.
On Wednesday afternoon, we cancelled the transport of our puppy. Again, the dog person was very understanding. I simply could not juggle both needs well, being fully attentive to a new puppy and being fully attentive to the needs of my parents this fall.
The timing was so God. 5:00 pm, “Yes, puppy.” 7:00 pm, “My appointment has been moved up.” If my dad’s doctor visit had stayed on the 27th, we would have had our needy new family member already at home. It would have been hard to manage good puppy care while traveling to Ohio as needed.
To juggle a plethora of conflicting needs, we depend on God’s timing and intervention, constantly. Empowered by the Spirit, we will receive what we need, when we need it, as we care for those we love. And some things, like a new puppy in our home on Sunday evening, just fall by the wayside. In the falling away, we see God’s priorities more clearly.
…please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us. God reminds us, I heard your call in the nick of time; the day you needed me, I was there to help. Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped (2 Corinthians 6:1-2, MSG).
…Sue…
P.S. Please pray for my 88 year old dad, Tom Herr, for God’s peace, patience, and healing power. And pray for my 87 year old mom, Marie, as she continues to grow in strength while depending on my dad for her daily care.
