Prayer Request and Update

On Monday we celebrated my husband’s birthday.  Unfortunately the day ended in trauma when our two year old golden retriever, Shiloh, had a severe seizure in the middle of the night.  Never having experienced a seizure before we didn’t know what was going on.  We didn’t know if he had a stroke, a heart attack, a brain aneurism, or if he was now in a coma. 

With the memory of our four year old golden having a heart attack and dying on our lap just a few years ago my husband asked me, “Why does this keep happening to us?”  I had no reply.

In tears we called the doctor and rushed over to the veterinary hospital.  The doctor checked him over well and determined it was a seizure.  After answering all our questions and giving Shiloh a heavy sedative to calm him down (yet the doctor did not offer us any) he sent us home for the night planning on coming back in the morning to begin testing.

We don’t have answers yet as to what is going on but the doctors feel there is an underlying problem.  While waiting I pondered my husband’s question – “why does this keep happening to us?”  Have there been times in your walk with the Lord you have wondered the same thing?  It’s a valid question and considering the Lord just had me write an article that contemplated Jesus’ cry from the cross as He too asked “why,” I don’t feel guilty pondering this question.  Please don’t misunderstand me, asking “why” in an accusatory way ultimately reveals that we aren’t trusting the Almighty and are questioning His perfect plan and ability to work things our for good in our lives.  However, asking God “why” and reaching out for Him to answer the tough questions in our heart just may bring us a peace that will surpass our understanding.  After all, a loving Father would never give His children a stone when they ask for a loaf of bread or a serpent when they asked for a fish…right? 

Not surprisingly Job came to mind.  Although I have not experienced the grave level of suffering he did (and I pray I never do) I can identify with the fact that the devil touched his finances, his healthy, his family.  To top it all off, Job’s relationships were touched too (we’re not going there today because learning how to hug a porcupine when the devil is riding on his/her back is a whole other subject.  My dear friends have been so helpful through our season of trail and I know in my pain I tend to act like a porcupine – thank you!). 

In the midst of Job’s suffering his wife said, “Curse God and die!”  (Job 2:9)  This is a phrase that the devil is speaking to many in the body of Christ today.  This is a phrase he taunted me with too.  Think about it though….why on earth would we want to do that?  Peter summarized it well when he said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”  (John 6:68)

These last few days have been heart wrenching.  We have had little to no sleep.  We are watching Shiloh’s every move looking for signs that he is improving only to see signs that seem like he’s getting worse.  However, through the pain, through the worry, through the tears there is music playing over and over on a subconscious level in my head and I heard my sweet Savior say, “I am here with you Tiffany.” 

I’m not saying that this guarantees Shiloh is going to be okay.  What I am saying though is that it sparks the fire of faith and helps me hang onto hope.  It also gives me the strength to say, “Blessed be the name of the Lord.”  Amen and Amen.

Please join us in prayer for Shiloh’s complete healing. B’rachot (Blessings)