Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Adopted



Candy
          If you had visited our home on any day since 1988, you would have been greeted by at least one Shih Tzu. We’ve recently added our fourth. The first one, Candy, lived to be almost 18 years old. The second one, Abby, left us this year after 10 ½ years of sweet companionship. Our current furry residents are Bailee and Maggie.
         
Abby
          These little gals all came from different places. They are members of the same breed, but the resemblance ends there. One thing they do have in common: Each one was adopted. Maggie is our most recent addition - a rescue dog who had to be shaved almost to the skin to free her from mattes, grass and other assorted tangles. One ear was accidentally “shortened” in the attempt to rid her of the misery. Their gratitude for a safe home and having their needs met each day has been obvious in each one of them. They look forward to their semi-weekly visits to the groomer to be pampered by skilled hands and a nurturing touch.
Maggie and Bailee

          We live with the inconveniences, and “mishaps” because they are now part of our family and because we love them unconditionally. They remind me that I, too, have been adopted, rescued from a dangerous and doomed future and received into a place of safety and hope for the future:




“So also we, while we were children, were held in
 bondage under the elemental things of the world. 
But when the fullness of the time came, 
God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, 
born under the Law, so that He might 
redeem those who were under the Law, 
that we might receive the adoption as sons.”
(Galatians 4:3-7, NASB)

          And, like our four little orphans I, too, am loved unconditionally, being groomed each day by the loving hands of Abba, Father. And...I am eternally grateful!

“Because you are sons, God has sent forth the 
Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, 
“Abba! Father!”
(Galatians 4:8, NASB)


Photobucket

15 comments:

Rita Garcia said...

Shih Tzu's are one of my favorite breeds, and yours are wonderfully sweet and precious! Your beautiful analogy blessed me in a special way!

Debbie Dillon said...

So sweet. They are all so blessed to have ended up at your house :) Beautiful post, my friend.

Nancy K. Sullivan said...

Thank you so much, Rita and Debbie for stopping by. I am so blessed by your friendships and inspired by your writing. Love you both :)

Kathleen Rouser said...

Nancy, what a sweet post! So nice that your
little orphans appreciate you. Lilybits
appreciated us when she first came to us
from the rescue, but now pretty much
thinks she owns the place. ;)

Thank you for the spiritual reminder
as well, that we have been rescued
and adopted by our Heavenly Father.

Unknown said...

I adopted our *Shih Tzu*, turns out she's more of a Lhasa Apso, two years ago. She's grown remarkably with us and I hope we have a good long time with her.

It's amazing what just being loved, all on its own, can do to change a soul, even furry souls.

Patty Wysong said...

Nancy, I LOVE how you tied that to our being adopted. So good! Love your little girls. =]

Nancy K. Sullivan said...

Thank you so much, Kathleen, Lynn and Patty. I agree that being loved and rescued are powerful forces in our lives - with or without the fur :) I appreciate your sweet comments. God Bless.

Tom Threadgill said...

Wonderful analogy, Nancy! Our dog is also a rescue and we sometimes wonder (fear) about her life before we got her. She's safe and secure now, just like we are with our Father. So glad He rescued us!

Nancy K. Sullivan said...

Thank you for your encouraging comment, Tom. These little ones respond to such simple acts of kindness. I agree it's very hard to think that some would take advantage of that vulnerable state. Thankful four our Adopted Father's grace :)

J'nell Ciesielski said...

I think adopted ones are the sweetest. They're so grateful to have such a loving home. I wish more people had your kind heart and home to open to them. Even though our little beagle baby isn't adopted, we love her all the same!

Nancy K. Sullivan said...

Beagles are just the cutest dogs, J'nell. My brother's family has had more than a few of them - also adopted. It's easy to see how our canine friends have earned the badge of "Man's Best Friend." Thanks so much for stopping by and God Bless. :)

Joanne Sher said...

Love love LOVE the analogy!!! Great reminder. My husband was adopted - TWICE. :) Our cat was also adopted, and appreciative.

Nancy K. Sullivan said...

Thank you, Joanne. Hand picked twice...now that's pretty special :) I love cats, but our kids and grandkids are plagued with allergies, so we have to "settle" for the doggies.

Karla Akins said...

I love this post! I have three dogs, two are rescues. One was adopted by me because his owner died and left him to me. Isn't it wonderful that our Father adopts us, too? Great post! (We have two adopted kittens, too. Blessed!) I'm also the adoptive mom of twin boys, now 19. Adoption is a beautiful thing. As a child who was abandoned at birth, it means sooooo much.

Nancy K. Sullivan said...

That's wonderful, Karla. What a blessed home, family, and pets you have! Thanks so much for visiting and leaving a comment. Blessings :)