Pets on Moving: Sweet Pea's Perspective, Part Three

Grace Notes-column

Good Things to Come!

As I write this column it’s been six weeks since the day our lives changed forever! Mom is sitting on our front porch alternately crocheting a blanket and doing homework for tonight’s class. Earlier in the morning Mom made Winter Vegetable Beef Soup and a fresh loaf of Rye bread. After she cleaned up the dishes and sorted the laundry, we came out to the porch.  I took a turn enjoying the sunshine and warm temperatures by scratching my back on the porch rug and chasing imaginary bugs across the floor. Mom has jazz playing on the stereo now, and the scent of dry leaves, neighborhood cats (GRR!), a stray dog or two filters through the cracks of the door. The sound of birds chirping and squirrels chattering as they rounded up a few remaining nuts for winter sent me to the window. I looked longingly outside, and then back at Mom. I made a quick decision. I jumped to the floor, ran and jumped on Mom’s lap where I promptly settled down for a (very brief) nap. Mom smiled, scratched my ears and then jumped up to get the phone. Life here in the new place is good. We move at a relaxing, slower pace. God was right. As scary, chaotic and stressful as our lives were at the old place His decision to move us to a new home was the right plan for us. I can’t wait for more good things to come!

Pets on Moving, Sweet Pea's Perspective, Part Two

Grace Notes-column

The Day Our Lives Changed Forever!

Hello again! Mom is taking another break this week so I’m back to share the second part of my story.

As I was saying last week, it took quite a long while for me to open up to Mom. Every time the two-legs who had abused me showed up to harass us, Mom made sure to protect me so I knew I could trust her. But because of the trauma I had endured in my past the sudden changes in my present sent me scurrying to the closet for cover.

Does Fear or Faith Rule your Heart?

The night before moving day, God visited me again. He asked me this question “Does fear rule your heart or faith?” Neither Mom nor I could sleep that night because we were both restless. Trusting God to provide another home meant taking risks, and embracing change as a friend rather than viewing it as an enemy. Mom had more faith than me, after breakfast was over, the rest of the packing done and we had our daily devotions from God’s Word, Mom prayed, “Okay Papa God, I’ve done everything I can now send us the help we need to move.”

At 10:30 a.m. people started showing up. Every time Mom would get tired she asked God to send more arms and fresh strength. He did but I hid. When Mom and Heather packed, when the people showed up to carry the boxes and furniture out to the trucks, cars, and vans; I hid until Mom came to find me after the last boxes and heavy furniture were loaded on the truck at 7 p.m. She tried coaxing me out of the closet but I was frozen stiff with fear so she picked me up, put me into my carrier and whisked me away to a new home.  By 9:15 p.m. we were tucked into our bed at our new home. As scary as the move was I can honestly say that Mom’s faith helped me to overcome my fears. I’m 9 years old and I’ve lived in one place for my whole life but I’m discovering there is more in this world I want to see!

Oops! Gotta go! Mom’s stirring from her nap! Next Week…more Good Things to come!