Praying For Pippa

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.

PATTI WAS ANXIOUS. But probably not as anxious as Pippa will be when Terri and Joe leave, she thought. Pippa, a Maltese mix, adored Patti’s sister and brother-in-law. Whenever Joe traveled for work, Pippa would get so upset she would refuse to eat or go outside.

Now both of them were going on a mission trip. How would little Pippa react to both Joe and Terri leaving her for two weeks?

When Terri asked Patti if she could watch Pippa, she couldn’t say no. Patti knew she needed to be there for the dog. And besides, Patti’s son, Cal, loved Pippa and was looking forward to taking care of her.

So Patti agreed and began to pray for the dog.

Patti suspected that whenever Joe and Terri were gone, the little dog believed her dear ones were lost forever and she mourned that they would never return. Patti decided to ask God to turn the little dog’s mourning into joyful dancing.

Patti was diligent in her prayers for Pippa and recruited Cal and her husband, Wendel, to pray too. Even before Terri and Joe left on their trip, Patti would go over and spend time with Pippa, assuring her about all the fun they would have together. Patti even spoke Bible verses over her.

“Psalm 30:11 says God can turn mourning into dancing, Pippa. So we trust him to cause your little heart to dance with joy even while Joe and Terri are gone.”

Finally, the day of Terri and Joe’s departure arrived—along with the real test of how Pippa would react.

Patti tried to walk in the house with great confidence when she went by to check on Pippa, claiming every promise she had prayed over the dog. And yet, the truth was, she was a little panicky.

Would God answer a prayer for a dog’s mental health?

From the moment Cal opened the door, Pippa began jumping and whimpering in joy. She ran circles around Cal, Patti, and Wendel. Pippa grabbed her tennis ball and dropped it at Cal’s feet, clearly wanting to play fetch.

After several minutes of play, Patti watched in awe as Pippa ran to her food and water bowl and looked at Patti as if to say, “I’m ready for dinner now.” And when Pippa scampered out through her doggie door to take care of her business, Patti couldn’t hold back a shout of delight.

Since that time, Pippa has never had any issues when Terri and Joe go abroad for mission trips, and Patti and her family are always overjoyed to take care of her.

Pippa’s worry and sadness were no match for Patti’s words of kindness and prayer. Nor were they any match for the God whose grace extends even to the animals his children love so much.

PAWS & PONDER . . .

What has you in knots today? Will you take some time to read the Bible and allow God’s kind words to infuse your heart with joy? Can you remember a time when someone prayed for you and spoke kind words to you, and your burden was lightened? Will you pray and ask God to allow you to speak words of kindness and life to someone today?

Paws & Pray

Lord God, so often I am anxious about situations, big and small. I know that you ask me to bring all my cares to you. I believe you hear my requests; I have witnessed answers to prayer so many times. I bring everything to you, praising your name, my true source of joy and peace.

Gentle words are a tree of life.