Trusting God with help from my new puppy
By Jessica Brodie
Have you ever been challenged to step outside your comfortable, regular routine, and wondered whether it was worth it? I’m a lifelong “cat person,” yet as I write this I have an eight-week-old German Shepherd puppy—adopted by my family yesterday—at my feet.
Captain is adorable, truly. He’s fuzzy, like an animated teddy bear, with big floppy ears that haven’t yet learned to stand up straight and a playful, galloping walk that’s part bunny, part pony. His liquid brown eyes are open and trusting, and he’s so funny and needy and downright cute all rolled into one.
And yet… my heart is thumping and my mind is doubting. Was this really a good idea? Do I even have the stamina to care for this helpless little creature day in and day out in the midst of everything else going on in my life? (Not to mention my need for sleep.)
It was my idea for us to get this sweet puppy—yes, me, even though I’m not technically a “dog person.” Me, even though I don’t relish sloppy doggy kisses and that whole in-your-face, play-with-me doggy personality. Me, even though I happen to be allergic to dogs and especially sensitive to German Shepherds. I prefer old, lazy, snuggly dogs, the kind who gaze soulfully into your eyes with deep wisdom and inner peace.
What in the world am I doing with a puppy?
That ‘God nudge’
This isn’t my first dog. When my husband and I got married, he had an adult dog, a huge German Shepherd named Scout who my husband had raised since a pup. I knew his fur-baby was part of the package, and I was determined to open my heart to Scout, to love his boisterous ways and even his drooling. And I did! Scout became part of the family, and even my elderly cat, Teetee, came to love him. Scout passed away in November 2016, and it broke all our hearts, mine included.
A few years passed. Teetee died last March at the start of the pandemic. We got our kitten, Leia, a year ago. I wasn’t sweeping up dog hair anymore or having allergy attacks. Life felt manageable.
But something felt “off” in our house… something (or should I say someone) was missing. A kernel of longing began to grow in my heart, and soon I was surprised to realize what I was longing for: a dog. Yes! Again!
My husband and kids were beyond thrilled, though they asked me a gazillion times if I was really, really, really sure. Absolutely yes, I’d reply.
I knew going in I’d have allergies again, and sleepless nights. We’d have to learn how to train him and teach him everything, from going to the bathroom outside to not chewing our shoes. We’d have to deal with whining and loads of nonverbal cues, tension between him and our cat, figuring out what to do when we had to leave the house, and more.
But I was ready, I told myself. I was up to the challenge.
Part of the plan
Finally, the day arrived. And yesterday, we traveled an hour away to adopt Captain, our new puppy.
My hands gripped the steering wheel as we drove the winding backcountry roads to the farm, the fear tickling its way up my belly and into my chest. What in the world was I thinking? Me, with a puppy? I like my world orderly and clean, peaceful and serene. Stress-free. Puppies are decidedly not any of these.
Puppies are… chaotic! Unpredictable! Messy!
And cute.
And fun.
And snuggly.
I’m not going to say all my misgivings flew out the window the moment I laid eyes on sweet Captain, but my heart did pitter-patter, and a new wave of excitement rose to meet the fear, neck-and-neck.
For here’s the secret: I might not have known why God nudged me to get a puppy, but I do know He did. And at this point in my life, I’ve learned to be wise enough to heed God’s nudges when I get them.
My husband, Matt, holds Captain as the rest of us (except Allie) gather for a smile.
Captain rode all the way home on Avery’s lap. He thinks she’s a great cuddler.
See, just because I like my comfortable, orderly, peaceful-ish existence, perhaps it’s not necessarily the best thing for me. God planted that kernel of puppy-longing in my heart for a reason, and I believe it’s because God knew I needed a dog—specifically, this dog—in my life. God knew my family needed him. Maybe my marriage needed him. Maybe even my writing needed him. I don’t know why, but I know God knows, and that is reason enough for me.
Doubts might flicker at the edges of my brain, but I choose to trust. I choose to say yes.
Change is a good thing, because it helps us remember to have faith. I might be scared, but God is right beside me. I might not know what I’m doing, but God has put people in my life (including my husband, who’s been super at this whole puppy training thing!) to show me the way and help me learn to listen, watch, and let others take the lead. I might be out of my comfort zone, but that’s not a bad thing. Often the very best things in life require stepping out in faith, saying “yes,” and watching the beauty unfold.
God’s got this
I’m not sure where you are in your life—if you, too, have a new puppy (or a new job, new baby, new spouse, new illness, new difficulty, or other new something). Perhaps you, too, made a decision and now wonder whether you truly have the courage to follow through.
But I hope you, like me, are clinging to the truth that God takes care of everything, and we are always OK when we rest in Him.
As the apostle Paul writes, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13 NLT).
What do you think? Have you been in a situation that made you incredibly nervous, yet you clung to the truth that God will get you through? I’d love to hear from you!