Little Cesar

We may make our plans, but God has the last word.

EMILY KNEW EXACTLY THE KIND of dog her family needed: a medium to large breed with a temperament calm enough to be a good companion for their aging dog, Sadie, but energetic enough to make a good playmate for her two young boys.

Encouraged to visit the local humane society facility where her friend Julie volunteered, Emily and her family went in search of their new dog.

The first canine they encountered was a small terrier mix that was barking incessantly in his crate. His bark set Emily’s teeth on edge. The noise, his crazed look, and his small size eliminated him as a possibility in Emily’s mind. She crossed him off the list and kept walking.

Next, they headed toward several rooms where rows of kennels and crates provided temporary housing for dogs in need of a permanent home. Emily’s family members played with several large-breed dogs. But none was a good fit. Either the dogs needed a home without other animals, couldn’t be trusted around children, or were too old. Emily really wanted a younger dog, one who would be there for her boys when Sadie was gone.

Emily felt discouraged. She had been certain they would find their new dog at the shelter.

As Emily’s family prepared to leave, Julie brought out the terrier mix they had seen when they first arrived.

“His name is Cesar and he was found living on the streets. Would you like to spend some time with him before you go?”

I’m sorry you’ve had a hard life, Cesar, but you’re not right for our family, Emily thought.

As she opened her mouth to say no, her older son said yes.

Cesar could be described in one word: wild. He ran in circles around Julie, almost knocking Emily’s son over in the process. He barked, he jumped, and much to Emily’s chagrin, the dog lifted his leg on her son’s pant leg.

Yet as wild as he was, he was also playful, full of personality, and quite funny. He was like sunshine wrapped in fur. And although Emily kept reiterating their need for a larger dog, Julie suggested taking Cesar home for a trial stay. The shelter had recently implemented a program where prospective adoptive families could take a dog home on Friday and bring him back on Tuesday, in order to get a better idea of how the dog would fit into their family.

From the moment Cesar entered their home, he seemed to fit. He sat at Emily’s feet as she prepared dinner. He followed Sadie around, even getting her to play a little bit with him. And he made the boys giggle continually with his antics. They had only known life with a senior dog, but Cesar played with the boys until they all collapsed from exhaustion.

When Tuesday came, the boys begged Emily to let them keep Cesar—even offering to pay the adoption fee from their Christmas and birthday money. But Emily still had doubts. After all, Cesar could not have been more different from the picture she had in her mind of their next dog.

And yet, something about Cesar’s large brown eyes and fun-loving personality had won her heart.

“Yes, we can keep him.”

Several months later, when they lost Sadie, Cesar helped mend their broken hearts. The little dog seemed to sense what each person in the family needed—sleeping with the boys, snuggling with Emily on the sofa, sitting quietly with her husband as he worked. Cesar was always there. Always ready to love and protect his family.

He might not have been the dog Emily would have chosen, but clearly God knew he was the exact dog her family needed.

PAWS & PONDER . . .

Have you ever been convinced of something only to discover God had something totally different in mind for you? How did your feelings change throughout that process? Did you joyfully submit right away to his will? Or did it take awhile for you to accept it? Have you accepted it? Why is knowing who God is vital in being able to accept his will and plans for your life?

Paws & Pray

Lord, knowing who you are—your goodness and mercy, your righteousness and love—helps me to accept your will, especially when it is different from my own. And yet, even when I know you well, I can still struggle with accepting your will. Father, help me to trust you today more than I trusted you yesterday. Help me to trust that your plans are good, even when they don’t feel good or seem to fit me. Let me believe that you are for me and not against me.