May
14
2019
Keeping Watch
Posted in Faith 6 Comments
I am waiting for my new granddaughter to arrive.
She was born one week and one day after her due date.
Everyone is in love with her.
Her cousin is fifty weeks older than her, which will make playing together quite fun.
I am waiting for my son and daughter-in-love to come over.
My son is home with his wife for a few more days.
They are getting out of the house and taking a drive for a change of scenery.
They will stay for dinner; the mother of my daughter-in-love will come as well.
It always astounds me when I think about the significance of one life.
This precious little girl is a week old and we cannot imagine our lives without her.
She is brand new, yet she feels familiar.
She belongs here.
We kept our son’s dog for five days after the birth of their daughter.
The time with us included the day that they came home from the hospital.
We wanted them to settle in and adjust to their first night at home with their daughter.
Their dog is so sweet, but she missed her home and her owners.
I wondered about her reaction when she met the new baby.
My son was proactive.
He gave my youngest daughter two infant hats that my granddaughter wore in the hospital.
Let her smell these hats and get her scent, my son wisely told his sister.
The dog did not seem too interested in the hats.
I was sure she got the scent.
Time would tell.
Everyone knows this dog is well behaved, but the dog has not had to share attention before.
The day after they got home from the hospital, we took the dog back home.
My son asked that we text when we arrive so that he can come outside and meet us.
He wanted his dog to get all her energy out first before going inside.
He knew that his dog would be so excited to see him after five days.
The dog was so happy to see my son.
I went inside to see my precious granddaughter.
My husband and son stayed outside with the dog.
Finally, I heard the door open and the dog came inside.
She was home and she knew it.
Springer Spaniels do not have tails; instead there is just a little stub in its place.
That stub of a tail will wiggle back and forth when she is happy.
That day, her whole back end was wiggling in delight.
The dog went right over to my daughter-in-love, who was holding the baby.
She sniffed and wiggled in glee.
She sniffed the diaper cradle which holds diapers and wipes.
She sniffed the baby blanket that was on the sofa.
Then she sniffed the baby.
She sniffed the little one with whom she would now share her owners.
She sniffed from her head to her feet, which were swaddled and hidden.
She licked the baby on the face.
To people who do not like dog kisses, this would have been unacceptable.
To those who know that this was extremely important, it was very sweet.
My son and daughter-in-love did not let it get out of hand.
A bond was forged; scent and kisses went hand in hand.
Later that night, a picture was sent on the family text thread.
My little granddaughter is sleeping in her parent’s bedroom for a little while.
However, this picture showed my precious granddaughter swaddled in her crib.
There on the floor, next to the crib, was their dog.
She was a sentry standing guard.
She was looking up at the sleeping baby.
She was not going to leave her side.
She is her protector.
The picture touched my heart.
The picture comforted me.
My little granddaughter already has a friend.
Not only a friend, but a faithful friend.
A man with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)
Only a true friend will stay by your side.
Only a true friend will keep watch when you cannot keep watch yourself.
Only a true friend will delight when they see you.
Only a true friend will know that their place is beside you through thick and thin.
We have a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Jesus is that Friend.
Jesus is by our side.
Jesus keeps watch over us.
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)
We can sleep knowing that Jesus is there with us.
We can rest because our Friend is by our side.
When we are incapable of keeping watch, we know that Jesus watches for us.
We are in perfect peace, just like my sleeping granddaughter.
What a comfort we have in Christ.
What peace we have in Him.
The Lord Jesus is the Friend who sticks closer than a brother.
We can rest.
Our 6 yr old lab mix is sooo good with my one year old granddaughter whom I watch 24 hrs a week. He is high energy also but is so tolerant of her poking and pulling on him.
This message is one I’m saving because we never know when we will need to be reminded of our Savior/friend in difficult times.
Paula,
I am so delighted that you will be saving this Whisper as a reminder. God uses the smallest things to remind us of His great love for us. Blessings!
Gina
Welcome home precious one.You are so loved with Jesus and you new canine protector by your side you have nothing to fear
Amen, Linda!
We are never alone!
Gina
This picture perfectly illustrates ur point!! I am so thankful that Jesus is my friend! Thank you Gina for reminding me that I never am alone!
Ann,
I am thankful, too!
What a blessing that we have our Friend by our side.
Gina