She was a pitiful sight, the pit bull/Labrador/terrier that our son, Jeremy, and his wife, Nancy, adopted from the Humane Society. Her head hung down, and her tail did not wag. Even her eyes conveyed great sadness. She never barked and did not know how to play.
Jeremy and Nancy decided to keep the name given her by the society staff: Reba. No use adding confusion to the poor dog’s problems.
When they first brought her home, Reba wouldn’t eat. She also suffered from anxiety, shaking uncontrollably when faced with uncertainty. (She still does, sometimes.)
Reba’s symptoms aren’t much different from those of humans when we experience extreme stress. Depression and anxiety can quickly take over.
Jeremy and Nancy adopted Reba the summer of 2010. That December when we saw Reba again, it was as if they had adopted a new dog. Now her head was up and her tail wagged merrily. She could run and jump to catch a tossed tennis ball in mid-air.
If Reba could talk, she would undoubtedly have abhorrent stories to tell of her past. But I have a feeling Reba would finish by saying, “My new life with Jeremy and Nancy is completely different. I love it here!”
Reba has found a sanctuary—a place of refuge and protection where she feels safe. Her life has been transformed.
We, too, have a sanctuary available to us (Psalm 9:9).
When David composed that psalm, the tabernacle tent-church was the sanctuary for the Israelites. God had told Moses centuries before, “Have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8).
For over fifteen hundred years, the tabernacle, and then the temple in Jerusalem, represented God’s presence among his people.
But that was only temporary. God provided an even better way to be with his people, through his son, Jesus.
Those of us who know him now experience his sanctuary within.
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19).
At the cost of his Son’s life, God bought us as his dwelling place.
We don’t have to go to Jerusalem. We don’t even have to be in a church building to experience the sanctuary of our God. His love, peace, and comfort are available wherever we are, whatever we’re facing.
Now that is life-transforming news.
But I must avail myself of its truth.
* * * * * * * * * *
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for being a sanctuary within me. At any moment I can turn to you, and you are attentive to my cry. As I focus on you—your wisdom, power, and benevolent care, my concerns deflate.
I know you have a plan for my life, for those of my loved ones, for my country and the world. You are in control. I imagine you taking hold of my hand, giving it a pat or two and reassuring me, “Don’t be afraid. I will help you”.
You are incredibly good to me, O God, my refuge. I reaffirm my trust in you.
(Psalm 34:15; Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 9:7-8;
Isaiah 41:13; Nahum 1:7; Psalm 91:2.)
Photo & art credits: Jeremy Ruegg, http://www.en.wikipedia.org; needpix.com.
Reblogged from 1-16-14. I’m recovering from a reaction to a shingles vaccine, but on the mend.
awww so sweet and shows what love does. lovely post and pics
Thank you, Cindy! I’m so glad the post accomplished its aim: to highlight God’s love for us, demonstrated in his gracious offer to be our sanctuary.
Loved this post, Nancy! My husband and I rescued a dog similar to Reba. Max (a Maltese mix) had a terrible time with anxiety and fear and facing people. We fell in love with him right away. But I went to work on Max, loving him, playing with him, being there for him and providing a sanctuary where he could be safe. Today, a year later, Max is a different dog entirely. Eager to live life!! And yes, it reminds me too of the sanctuary we have in God. Our safe haven from life, where we can be taught and encouraged and loved. A safe place to thrive!!
You know firsthand the amazing transformation that love, patience, and perseverance can work–a picture of how God works on us. Thank you for sharing your corroborative story, Kathy!
We surely have a sanctuary in the Lord; we find comfort and safety under His wings
Amen, Brenda! Wonderful truths of his grace to us.
This is a beautiful story. Rescue dogs are the best. My husband and I currently have two. We found both of them abandoned on the streets.
I just said a prayer for your complete healing. Last year I had a bad reaction to a pneumonia vaccine. It was the sickest I have ever been.
Now that vaccine caused me no problems as I recall. I’m sorry it was so problematic for you! For both doses of the shingles shot I’ve run a fever, had chills, felt quite lousy, and slept nearly all day. The alternative is worse, so I’ll take the fever. It only lasted a day each time, with another day of general malaise, but today I feel like my old self. Thank you so much for your prayer, blogger friend!
Yaaay I am glad you are feeling all better! ❤❤
Beautifully written.It’s truly a blessed post ,full of assurance of God’s love for all of us who are ready to accept him as our Father,guide and philosopher.Thank you very much for sharing.Take care.🌹👍🙏
Thank you, Francis. I’m so glad you found assurance of God’s love in this post. Such a gracious Heavenly Father he is!
Indeed he is.Most welcome.Take care.🌹👍🙏
What a witness for the power of love.
Thank you, Jean. Indeed, God’s power of love IS far-reaching into our lives, for which I am so thankful. ‘Know you feel the same!
Nancy, I am ever a sucker for dog stories, especially redemptive ones like this one. And how timely to read on this topic today as I have a work in progress I’ve provisionally titled “Sanctuary.” A song I love, by the same name: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxB9VH3cCN4. Blessings on you, friend!
Oh, I know that song too, Laurie! ‘Loved singing it with the praise team back in the day. We do love redemption stories, don’t we. Something inside us is preset to be drawn to the redemption that each of us needs!
I was just now listening to a Christian radio program as it described the stressors that today’s children are being bombarded with in conjunction with the virus. Your story about Jeremy’s dog is so relevant, especially regarding anxiety. The way the stressors in today’s world produce anxiety in our children is so sad. I don’t believe that when I was growing up that I ever had to address anxiety to this level…well, maybe the cold war and bomb shelters is a valid comparison. I love how people today are going to shelters to adopt their pets. I thank the Lord for the comforting shelter He provides and I hold today’s youth up in prayer…as it is on my mind and heart, especially at this moment. I didn’t realize that you had been having a reaction to your shingles shot. I’ve never had one because the flu shot is so hard on my system. You are in my prayers sweet friend, and I am so glad you are feeling better.
Yes, the youth of our nation are sacrificing much in the name of Covid-19. So many experiences are being missed, so many memories are NOT being made. I agree with you that the stressors of our growing-up years do not begin to compare. / For both shingles-vaccine doses I was put out of commission for the better part of 48 hours; Steve, on the other hand, experience a sore arm, but that was it. I don’t think I’ve ever had a reaction to a vaccine like I have with this one. But 48 hours sure beats the long-term suffering some have endured with shingles. I’m so sorry you can’t get the shots. Let’s pray the shingles virus never finds you!
We are rescued from sin so that we can have a rich relationship with God, and then He renews our lives and makes our heart pure enough for Him to dwell. We are sanctified to be His sanctuary. 👍👍👍👍
Hallelujah to that, Adeleke!
Amen!
Nancy,
Having adopted two rescue dogs, I love Reba’s story. It tells me that we have redemption power within us. So thankful God’s sanctuary is within we as well. I need Him during these turbulent times!
Blessings,
Bev xx
You are so right, Bev–we DO have redemptive power within us! I never thought of our God-infused influence on others in such terms, but it is a true and wondrous reality, a glorious privilege he’s given us! Thank you, my friend, for sharing your insight.
Hi Nancy,
It’s a beautiful thing to see the healing work of the Lord. What’s funny is that he might take our physical health for a time to heal a part of us that is truly hurting.
Have a great week.
Gary
Very true. We can always depend upon Him to do what is perfect and right in our lives. (Remind me of that when it’s my turn to experience difficulty!)
Nancy, I loved your analogy drawn out from this story. The before and after photos illustrate so much about Reba’s newfound contentment in her sanctuary of safety. I’ve seen that same transformation in two adopted rescue dogs. Compared to other dogs we have had the rescue’s always seemed to have a deep essence of gratitude about them.
In comparison, imagine the angels rejoicing in Heaven as they celebrate a stressed and anxious soul beginning to rest in the sanctuary of God’s redemptive care. What amazing before and after photos those would be!
What a lovely analogy you contributed, Manette! I’ve wondered what angel-rejoicing might include . . . cheering? singing? soaring with joy on their wings? I’ve been privileged to witness some befores-and-afters of new believers. The peace, joy, and glow of the Spirit IS a sight to behold!
I’ve seen that too (the joy and glow of the Spirit on a new believer). On one particular person it always brought to mind the image of Moses needing to put a veil on his face due to having been in the presence of the Almighty.