A neighbourhood dog named Belle (a shepherd mix) turned up; her owners were apparently out of town, and she escaped her yard.
She came to help.
The swelling on my chest wall is a locus of pain, something I really can't describe, and something I would not wish on my worst enemy. It's hideosu.
And Belle knows what to do. At night, she arranges herself as a soft canine heating pad, gently warming the tumour and gently easing my fears.
I borrow courage from her kindness.
God's angels take disparate form
and deftly hide their wings.
We look for tropes, define the norm,
and miss the vital things.
Like Belle, a dog who came to aid
my agony and my pain,
and who against my side laid
soothing tumour's vicious bane.
She was a stranger to this place,
she ran so wild and free,
but something called her to the grace
that bid her rescue me.
And so I do not find it odd
that 'dog' is an anagram of God.
And just for fun, here are The Ventures with Telstar.
Thanks to Carol Ashby, Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart is back on Kindle, and will be available in paperback soon.
Friends are everything. I couldn't have done it.
Marley, the canine waif from Afghanistan, whom WE helped save, has a Facebook page! Please drop by to see how happy he is today.
Below are my recent releases on Kindle -please excuse their presence in the body of the blog. I haven't the energy to get them up as 'buttons' in the sidebar. You can click on the covers to go to the Amazon links.
Oh Andrew, I am so sorry you are in such pain! I pray for you every day. I'm not a writer like many of your other cyber-"fans/friends" (retired Shriners nurse), but I have always liked Haiku which a commenter mentioned recently. Since I can't give you a sonnet, I decided to write a Haiku for you:)
ReplyDeleteBelle
Four legs, one big tail,
God's canine gift to Andrew:
Furry heating pad.
Praying for you tonight. And have not forgotten Barb. Love from SC,
Kathryn
The comfort of a dog IS indeed the comfort of God himself. You borrow courage from her kindness... we borrow life from your courage.
ReplyDeleteJane, you're absolutely right. A dog's comfort is God's healing touch.
DeleteI am so grateful for your words.
Thank you, Belle, for ministering to my friend Andrew.
ReplyDeleteAnnie in Texas
((((((Annie1))))))
DeleteBelle says, "You're welcome!" She's glad to help.
Thank Jesus for Belle... This is the most amazing God "thing" I've heard in awhile. He knows...
ReplyDeleteMisty, He knows, indeed. And He is amaing.
DeleteGreat poem about a great event. I wish you were not in ANY pain, but I appreciate how you use it to inspire us.
ReplyDeleteJan, thank you...if this is inspiring, it's every bit worthwhile. I wouldn't ask it gone.
DeleteSweet comfort indeed, Andrew. Sometimes another soul, human or non, knows how to share simple presence and quiet strength ...
ReplyDeleteLinda, you said this so beautifully...thank you.
DeleteAwww, Andrew. Beautiful words here. I am so glad Belle came for a visit and brought you such soothing comfort. God does use the perfect means to bring us what we need, doesn't He? I continue to pray for you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteJeanne, you're absolutely right. Gos does use the perect means, the perfect instrument.
DeleteAnd Belle will be staying; when I told her owners what she had been doing, they said, "Keep her. She needed a job."
She'd been getting into their neighbours yards and trash, and they saw she needed the focus she found.
Thank you so much for your prayers!