The Edge of Darkness

July 6, 2013

Dear Readers,

It sure is dark outside.  I'm glad that I have three big lights to illuminate the back yard.  When I take the Sensational Six outside for their night time potty call I need to be able to count noses and tails.  From the looks of the floor, sofa, and chair in the cottage, I'm going to need some heavy coaxing to get them awake and out the door tonight!

As I look into the night, I am grateful for the light because so many times in my life, I've walked on the edge of darkness.  Then, without warning, there has been a bright light that has jolted me into reality and shown me my path of (would be) destruction.  The tapes of evil that ran through my mind would been quieted and I would move away from that edge and retreat to a place of righteousness and safety.  Often times that light was people who were brave enough to confront me in love and gentleness.

Have you ever had times in your life when you just wanted to be bad?  To do something you knew wasn't quite kosher but there was that temptation that was iced with fun and excitement?  I am a curious person and Satan has used my curiousness to take me to the edge of his darkness and smile while doing so.

Some years ago, I had a client that I was working with in relationship counseling.  He lived mainly on the West Coast but had a mansion in Dallas.  My husband and I were invited to one of his parties and we did go.  I think for the first thirty minutes that I was there, I just sat and watched the different people interact with each other.  This was a world I had read about but never experienced.  The house was a party house build specifically for that purpose.  On signal, it had a dance floor that rolled out to accommodate oh maybe 20 people & strobe lights flickered outlining the dancers.  On signal, the pool had dancing lights that welcomed those who wanted to enjoy the warm evening with a swim.  There was a chef grilling foods of every sort.  Beautiful women greeted guests inviting them to partake in the revelries.  Photographers were on hand to take shots of guests.  As the evening grew on, the music and voices of the people grew louder ... the energy was building!

On the surface, this resembled a party of innocence but below that surface was another world of darkness.  I was standing at a door that I had been invited to enter.  It was tempting to become one of "his group" and to feast on the lusciousness of the world of the rich and famous.  I was valued for my expertise in building healthy relationships BUT, in the end, with this client, it really was about outward beauty.  After that night, I chose to close the door.

"Your word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against you." ~~Psalm 119:11

Out of curiosity, I decided to google this gentleman's name and yep there he was.  I remembered him calling me from his limo on the way to the Grammys and smiled to myself.  I could appreciate the opportunity to have met his fellow who had changed a part of the world yet know that I had made the right choice in holding fast to my own sense of right and wrong.

Miss Dottie
Party Animal ~ Age 1

You must remember, I came from a regular middle class working family.  You must remember that as a child I was introduced to the Lord by my family and church.  You must remember that I was broken, wanted to be loved and to be a part of something bigger than myself.  I was vulnerable and made so many mistakes.  I loved my profession in matchmaking and relationship counseling and those years were some of the most rewarding of my life.  I am grateful for that time and hope that I influenced people in a good way.  I was a light and respected among my peers while holding fast to my beliefs. (Maybe that was why my clients trusted me with their most personal details) 

As I sit here tonight, I picture my backyard with torches burning, hamburgers being grilled, and people mingling and laughing.  I smile thinking that I need to get my grandsons down here to do some graffiti in the underground storm cellar.  I picture my Sensational Six frolicking amongst the guests welcoming them.  There are no hidden agendas and temptations.  I want to just spread the lovin' that I feel inside!

I'm sure as you read this you will remember your own times of temptation and periods of walking on the edge of darkness.  Maybe you sampled a bit of that forbidden fruit and got caught.  I so enjoy hearing those stories and how people became overcomers moving beyond to fulfill their God-given purposes.  Good stuff!

Always remember you are loved and prayed for ... YA YOU!!

Miss Dottie

PS  "Every conquering temptation represents a new fund of moral energy.  Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before." ~~William Butler Yeats

PSS  Even though something sinful in your life might sound delicious, take some time to reflect on what is truly important to you and to God. ~~Miss Dottie

My Imperfect Loves - Toby - Part IV of VIII

Things that upset a terrier go virtually unnoticed by a Great Dane."

~Unknown~

July 3, 2013

Dear Readers,

It's another beautiful summer day in Central Texas.  I couldn't believe it when the dogren woke me up for their morning potty call ... it actually felt cool outside.  Perfect weather for sipping coffee on the patio and watching the Sensational Six chase each other through the gardens.

Toby was a busy one this morning.  He got his summer haircut and I think the groomer must have given him a shot of adrenaline 'cause he's been a hand full.  He loves all his brothers and sisters BUT when it comes to what he considers "his" he gets bazerko.  I'd gotten a 4th of July toy for the little girls but he found it and was shoving it in Sadie's face itching for a tussle.  Wasn't long and the toy was obliterated and he had been scooped up and was sitting in Michael's lap for a time out.  Harmony and Ruffles were left looking at a toy with the stuffing come out of it from every seam.

"It sometimes takes days, even weeks, before a dog's nerves tire.

In the case of terriers it can run into months.”

~~EB White

EB White had the right idea.  Toby never gives up when he wants to do something.  He is smart when he wants to be and dumb as a rock when he has no interest.  Michael and I were talking one evening about our six dogren and how different they are.  Like the others, Toby is imperfectly perfect.  There are times when we look at each other and say, "We will NEVER have another terrier."  Then, we realize that our furry kids have come to us in ways that we don't understand and to say never is to be very short sided.

"Hardships make us strong.  Problems give birth to wisdom.  Sorrows cultivate compassion.  Those who have suffered the most will become the happiest." 

~~Nishan Panwar

Toby came to us out of our sorrow at losing our Yorkshire Terrier, Pete, to a defect he was born with.  We were so broken by little Pete's illness that couldn't be fixed and only contacted the breeder because we were sure she would want to know.  As it turned out, Pete wasn't the only puppy affected and they had neutered and sold Pete's dad.  They allowed us to select another puppy but we weren't prepared to handle another 3 pound Yorkie.  Instead, Toby ... the fattest and biggest of the breeders Yorki-Poo litter caught our eye.  The breeder called him a designer dog ... in reality, Toby was a mutt ~~ not a perfect Yorkie, not a perfect Poodle.

When I look at Toby, I see determination, fire, and a curiosity about life.  He seems to take on life at full speed stopping only when he is exhausted and needing a few hours of shut eye.  His tenacity and temper get him into trouble with a capital "T" with his sister, Sadie.  Funny though, when Sadie is hurt, Toby is the first of the dogren to be at her side.  His flaws seem so minimal in view of his largeness of life and his loving heart.

Toby loves to dress up.  He likes to have his fur cut short so that his t-shirts aren't lumpy.  He's our Tobster, our little guy with the spirit of a warrior!  There are times though as pawrents that we need to protect him from himself.  When the little ones are playing with their toys in the cottage, Toby is in the casa chewing on a bone.  We now have a spray water bottle to interrupt his shenanigans with Sadie ~~ so far, so good.

"Discipline isn't about showing a dog who's boss; it's about taking responsibility for a living creature you have brought into your world."

~~Cesar Millan, Be the Pack Leader: 

Use Cesar's Way to Transform Your Dog ... and Your Life

Our little 14 pound Yorki-Poo is such a goofy love.  He's the meeter and greeter everywhere he goes.  He never meets a stranger ~~ one lick and he's found a friend for life whether furry or human.  Oh yes, we get the "What kind of a dog is that?" question quite often because he is one of a kind.  There's no breed standard for the Yorki-Poo except that one of the parents needs to be 100% Poodle and the other 100% Yorkshire Terrier.

Has there ever been anything perfect except the Lord Jesus?  We build the perfect house only to find that there are cracks in the walls.  We marry the perfect person only to find they have those flaws that make them human.  We look for the perfect pet yet in their imperfectness they become dear.  Nothing is ever certain.

Dear, dear Readers, please know that in our imperfectness we are made perfect by the one who died for us.  My Toby with all his imperfections is perfect in my eyes as his loving pawrent which helps me understand how God can love me, warts, bumps, and all.  In all my flops and fumbles at trying to live life, he sees me as his child growing and becoming.

I am praying for all of you each day.  The Lord hears your cries and will minister to your needs.

Miss Dottie

PS  "A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours.  Marley taught me about living each day with the unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart.  He taught me to appreciate the simple things ~ a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight.  And, as he grew old and achy, he taught me about optimism in the face of adversity.  Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty." ~~John Grogan, Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog


   

The Gift ... July 4, 2013

July 5, 2013

Dear Readers,

Welcome July!!  It's another fine day in Central Texas.  I've lived here a long while and I don't remember having Summer interrupted by such glorious cooler than normal weather.  In just a short while we will be heading into September and I will be jumping up and down celebrating another of my favorite seasons.

Happy Birthday today, Grandma Belle.  My mother's mother was born around 1880 which sure seems like a long time ago.  It's almost eerie to realize that my grandmother lived on a farm without an indoor bathroom and that my own mother rode to school on a horse!!  I remember Civil War mementos laying on the floor of one of her out buildings. Times, they are a changin' and goodness they're changing so fast.  I learned to type on an old typewriter and thought I'd died and gone to heaven when the electric typewriter came on the scene.  I wonder what my children and grandchildren will experience in their lifetimes...

Yesterday was a really fun day.  I'd been so tired of sitting around the house and decided to get my hubby and neighbors headed for the historic part of town for the annual 4th of July Late Bloomers Parade.  There were times on the way over that I almost told Michael to go back home there was so much grumbling.  There was just something inside me that spurred me on to get off my duff, go to Corsicana Street, and sit in a specific area to watch the parade.  I took my camera and wanted to photograph some of the old homes decorated so lavishly for the 4th.

Before the parade started, a man walked over towards us and I asked him if we were in front of his home.  He introduced himself and said, "Yes."  For the next half hour we all found ourselves engaged in conversation with this intriguing gentleman, George, and his wife, Gigi.  I got so excited about meeting new friends which, in turn gave me new energy for engaging with the people in the parade.

I'm not sure who the folks in the parade thought I was but they stopped so I could take photos, waved, and threw candy in my direction.  I don't know when I've had such an amazing time at a 4th of July parade!  I felt almost like I was in the Old South standing under the canopy of the magnificent Oaks watching the parades of freedom of years past.  Words cannot do my experience justice and I stumble trying to explain that thirty minutes of my life.  I found myself laughing like I haven't done in ages.  You know that old saying, smile and the world smiles with you?  It's true!

After the parade George and Gigi invited us in to see their beautiful 103 year old home and their collections.  The house was magnificent, every nook and crannie filled with mementos of their travels and the different people they had met along their journey through life.  The home was filled with such wonderful karma.  In fact, as I walked through the rooms, I felt as though the first residents were beside me.  In the entry way was a grand piece and on one of the shelves was a Bible.  I layed my hand on top and felt such a warmth.  Okay, now you are probably going doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo...  I looked at Gigi and gave her a hug.  She had a tear in her eye, and I said, "I think we were supposed to meet today."  She nodded.

Do you believe in the magic of the Lord?  Let me explain...  Earlier that day, I was texting with my daughter who was visiting family in Minnesota.  I felt a little (well a whole lot to be honest) green with jealousy.  The older I have gotten, the more I really miss family get-togethers and laughing til my cheeks hurt.  I expressed this in my return text to her.  Well, God got involved and got me going.  When God prompts me to do something, I do it!  In following his prompting, I met some new friends who blew my socks off.  In following his prompting, I laughed until my cheeks hurt.  In following his prompting, my world changed for a day of mystical reverie.

It didn't end there, I invited my friend, Beverly, and her husband, Don, over for dinner that evening.  We feasted on bbq'd ribs, Italian pasta salad, baked beans, homemade breads, corn, tossed vegetable salad, and apple pie with ice cream for dessert.  I'd put three of the Sensational Six out in the cottage so we could eat in peace without the pitter patter of our furry kids under foot. After dinner, we moved into the living room and Harmony, Ruffles, and Toby got some attention from our animal loving friends.  We are working on socializing the little girls and who better to love on them than some folks who believe in rescue (they have 1 rescue dog and 4 rescue cats).  Beverly is also our pet sitter so she is working on gaining the trust of our little ones.

My beautiful day wasn't over.  Michael and I gathered the crew and watched the 4th of July program from Washington.  Ah yes ... God bless America, land of the free!!  To witness the smiles, sounds, colors, and excitedness of the people gripped my heart and I stood up there in my own living room saying, "Yes!"  History has a place in helping us to remember what America was founded on.  My Patriot's Bible is educating me on those who have gone on before me and I am learning so much.

Some times life isn't the way we wish it was BUT it is the way God intended if we just trust in him.  I am learning to trust God's promptings knowing that I need to get outside my own comfort zone to experience the magic of life.  Today was indeed a gift and a blessing and I am so very thankful that my friend, Jesus! 

Always remember how very much God loves you and how very much I love you and pray for your well being.

Miss Dottie

PS    "I believe in the separation of church and state but I don't believe in the separation of God and state." ~~Miss Dottie, July 4, 2013 Hope your 4th of July holiday was as magical as mine!!

My Imperfect Loves - Sadie - Part III of VIII

"I trust your love, and I feel like celebrating because you rescued me.  You have been good to me, LORD, and I will sing about you."

~Psalm 13:5,6

June 28, 2013

It's been one of those scorching hot summer days here in Central Texas ... even the still night air feels hot.  What a gift to have air conditioning!

As far back as I can remember, I have always had a dog in my life ~ usually 2-3 plus a cat.  That is what I have considered normal.  Six dogs?  Somehow, that seems rather abnormal; however, that has quickly become the new normal in Seidler Dogdom.  Regrets?  Absolutely not!!

Heard the term pay it forward?  Ever since the Lord rescued me, I have been passing on my legacy to others (including my 4-legged friends!).  If my blogs have touched your heart for Jesus, then, I am doing what I am created to do.  If I can make the lives of my furry kids comfy and happy then, I am fulfilling a purpose besides just taking up space.

Sadie ... my precious Sadie.  AKC Scottish Terrier albeit larger than the breed standard.  Sadie was purchased from a BYB (back yard breeder) ~~ a family who just had a couple of Scotties and wanted their children to experience the process of having puppies.  At the time, I thought that was pretty cool; and, besides that, Sadie was very reasonably priced.  What I didn't understand was that because of inbreeding, Scottish Terriers have a myriad of skin issues and without careful breeding these dogs are showing up in shelters because owners didn't realize what they were getting in to.  

All that aside, I loved Sadie from the moment I saw her and she became an integral part of our family.  It wasn't long though and my beautiful puppy became the most ugly dog I had ever seen.  Her head and ears grew first to the point that she resembled a huge black monster.  She developed the loudest bark I had ever heard in my life and became a ferocious hunter gracing me with half dead baby rabbits, mice, and rats.  As time passed, Sadie went from an ugly duckling to a beautiful swan.  She was perfect in my eyes.  I saw her as God saw her blinded to her flaws calling her my regal princess!

A few years ago, Sadie began developing skin issues.  The bite of one flea or one mosquito would send her system into overdrive.  She would chew, scratch, and bite herself until huge sores appeared.  We tried all sorts of medications, itch sprays, and shampoos to no avail.  On top of the skin issues, Sadie developed thyroid and liver complications and it's been touch and go several times.  There are times when she is crying out that I lift my hands to the Lord asking for him to heal her and help her rest.  Thank goodness, there are times when she is almost symptom free and she frolics like there is nothing wrong.  She's a fighter!  All I have to say is, "Sadie, come get your medicine," and she comes running.  Gotta love my Sadie Girl!

Sadie is a wonderful mother to our rescues.  She's taken them under her protective black paw and has shown them the ropes. They follow her out and copy her as she "does her business."  I couldn't ask for a better partner!

When the bite of life sets my own life into overdrive, like Sadie, I come running to my master in heaven.  I know that the medicine he has for my soul is worth taking and I gobble it up!  How about you?  Who do you turn to when life's not fair and your woes are making breathing difficult?

"You, LORD God, bless everyone who cares for the poor; and you rescue those people in times of trouble.  You protect them and keep them alive."

~~Psalm 41:1,2

Always remember you are loved and prayed for ... each and every day!!

Miss Dottie

PS  Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, "What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight ~ it's the size of the fight in the dog."  You know something, I know he's right!  God bless my Scottish Lass!!

My Imperfect Loves - Kennedy - Part II of VIII

He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.

- Unknown Author

June 27, 2013

Dear Readers,

I truly believe that all things work to the glory of God for those who have been called according to his purpose.  Not some things, ALL things.  (Romans 8:28)

What began as a search for a tiny female Pomeranian rescue has culminated in the adoption of four rescue dogs.  Kennedy was the first rescue to come in to our home and, as a poster boy for perfectly rehabilitated rescue, paved the way for Zeke, Harmony, and Ruffles.

I've blogged about Kennedy before so y'all are familiar with his sweet face and tale of wandering the streets of Houston looking for his furever home.  Kennedy is perfectly imperfect ... he's an oversized Pom-Chi with a chopped off tail.  He has these soulful eyes that make me wonder what he is thinking as he goes through his day.  Kennedy is my therapy dog on call 24/7.  He knows when I'm happy and when I am sad.  He follows me everywhere and when I sit, he sits beside me ... always touching.

When I talk to Kennedy (sometimes I call him Khenzea), he cocks his head and listens intently.  There are times when he talks to me and I'm the one listening to what he has to say ... usually it's, "I need to go outside, I am hungry, I need a drink of water."  Kennedy's life is simple, the way I like my life to be.

The vet said Kennedy is probably two to three years old.  He's missing some teeth (probably from a very bad diet) but the ones he has are pearly white.  He's finicky about what he eats and waits patiently for me to sit his bowl in front of him.  Kennedy dines slowly savoring each morsel on his plate.  My neighbor and I were having tea the other day and she set Kennedy on one of the dining rooms chairs (needless to say, Beverly LOVES Kennedy!).  He sat there with his chin on the table watching us sip our tea.  He's not used to table scraps so there was no begging ... however, every now and then he would let out this low whine and chattering that sounded almost like he wanted to join in the conversation.  We would glance his way, acknowledge him, and go on about our tea.

What was life like BK (before Kennedy)?  I guess you could say that we rolled along just fine.  Then again, what is life like AK? Kennedy has been the chocolate on my ice cream.  He's truly become a best friend and I am a better person with him in my life.

God created all creatures great and small and, I believe, that along with their creation, each has purpose.  Kennedy has a heart as big as Texas and I am one of the lucky ones that he decided to share it with.

"Be comforted, little dog, thou too in the Resurrection shall have a tail of gold."

~~Martin Luther

Kennedy may be a mix of Pom-Chi and goodness knows what else but he is perfectly unique and I like unique and one of a kind!  God created him for a greater good and to be a part of my life -- perfect timing.

Always remember that you are loved and prayed for ... each and every day.

Miss Dottie

PS  "I think God will have prepared everything for our perfect happiness.  If it takes my dog being there [in Heaven], I believe he'll be there." ~~Rev. Billy Graham  

My Imperfect Loves - Zeke - Part I of VIII

June 23, 2013

The Sensational Six woke me this morning with yips, yaps, and kisses!  "Wake up, Mom, it's "potty" time!  They all are so exhuberant first thing in the morning.  They don't think about the concerns and worries of the day, they just know that it feels good to be alive, pee on a plant, and eat some breakfast. They teach me so much about living the good life and I love it.

I was drinking my coffee this morning when the thought "my imperfect loves" came flooding through my brain.  I smiled ... a perfect blog subject!

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

~~Psalm 139:14

Because Zeke was so very sick this week, I decided to start my series with him.  Zeke was an abandoned puppy who was found by a young lady by the name of Sarah.  Recycled Poms took him in and he was fostered by Sarah's mother, Laura.  He was a throw-away puppy...

The vet says Zeke is a full blooded Maltese; HOWEVER, Zeke is imperfect.  His mother gave him viral hepatitis, he has light tan markings throughout his white coat, and his spine is a little crooked.  To someone wanting the perfect puppy, Zeke doesn't fit the bill.  Michael and I took one look at Zeke and saw "perfection" ... God's love manifested in a tiny, 4 pound, 9 month old Maltese by the name of Ezekiel

Zeke is our "son of dust" ... he loves to romp and rough-house with his brothers Toby and Kennedy.  He runs as fast as his little legs can carry him following big sister Sadie as they chase squirrels.  He rarely barks but his big brown eyes speak volumes.  He sits beside me as I type on the computer and every now and then nudges my hand for a quick pat on the head.  Zeke seems ... well, magical!

About this time last week, Zeke started acting funny ... lethargic, wouldn't eat.  Monday morning we were on the vet's doorstep when he opened and there began a week of intensive medical treatment via IV.  When the vet gave us an estimated bill, my husband (with a tear in his eye) said, "Do what it takes." Zeke would spend the day hooked up to an IV and come home at night.  For four nights, I cat-napped checking on him and praying over him.  Friends across the country, prayed for Zeke and I cried out to God to save our little furry son.  Wednesday night, I took him outside to potty.  He did his business then fell over into his mess too exhausted to walk.  I picked him up, wrapped him in a warm towel and took him inside.  I knew God could heal him but I was preparing myself for the worst.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding:" ~~Proverbs 3:5

Thursday morning, Zeke looked perky!  What?!  Perky??  Yep, Zeke turned the corner Thursday morning and it's been uphill ever since.  I took him back to be hooked up to his IV and Dr. Arnold checked him and said, he could go home with meds AND they took out his port.  I did the HAPPY DANCE and those praying for Zeke across the country did the HAPPY DANCE.

"Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning."

~~Psalm 30:5

It is Sunday morning and Zeke continues to rally.  He has been eating huge meals twice a day, and has developed a new interest in his toys.  Sadie made a mad dash to the back of the yard today to chase a squirrel and Zeke was right on her heels.  What a beautiful sight.

In a world where people and animals must be perfect, I find beauty in the imperfect.  I especially enjoy hearing and observing the stories of people and dogs who have overcome hardships and found their way to success, love, and happiness.  Zeke is one of those!!  He is so perfect in my eyes ... a creation of the wonderful God I serve.  He was perfectly knit in his mother's womb albeit infected with the hepatitis virus, a slightly crooked spine, and tan markings.  His courage and fighting spirit makes him a hero!

Look for the imperfect and you will find it.  Look for the beauty and good and you will find that too!

Always remember you are loved and prayed for ... yes, each and every day!

Miss Dottie

PS  "Even imperfection itself may have its ideal or perfect state."  ~~Thomas de Quincey  

I Feel So Helpless

June 15, 2013

Dear Readers,

It's been a jam-packed day full of activity starting about 6am.  Sadie started shaking her big Scottish Terrier head and got Harmony going.  Harmony got Kennedy, Toby, Ruffles, and Zeke up and we headed out for morning potty time.  Fixing breakfast for six hungry dogren made me giggle.  They acted like they'd been starved to death stumbling over each other getting to their individual bowls.  Mind you, six dogs albeit small, take up most of the floor space in my kitchen! After breakfast, there was a flurry of fur heading out the back door to attend to business.  Michael shook his sleepy head ... "I'll make coffee!"  No such thing as quietly rising to greet the day at the Seidler Casa.

Michael needed to go back to Dallas to pick up Lily who was at the dealership getting her 40K checkup and new shoes.  I decided to ride along to see if my bones could take the longer drive.  All in all, I think I did pretty well (Yay!) and will be up to traveling more than 30 minutes at a time without reaching for my cane.  Believe me, that's a BIG step.

Wouldn't you know, while we were waiting for Lily to be brought to us, we looked at some cars and I found one that was just perfect ... a VW Beetle, charcoal gray, with black leather seats.  Well, guess what?  I drove it home.  I wholeheartedly recommend Rusty Wallis Volkswagen in Garland, TX for best all-around customer service.  I literally hate dickering back and forth over price, trade-in, etc., so I told Gabriel a number to meet or beat or I would come back next year.  We were done and out of there in about an hour!!

We had our pet sitter come in while we were gone to let the dogren out and she didn't call us to say anything was amiss but once I walked into the cottage, I knew one of the furry kids was sick.  Zeke had been very quiet yesterday, spending a lot of time in his doggie bed.  I chocked it up to pouting about the new arrivals, Ruffles and Harmony, and figured he'd be okay in a few days.  Well, today, he was throwing up and had a bout of diarrhea.  He is so tiny and I felt so helpless.  I texted his former foster mom and she told me to fix a mixture of half chicken broth, half water and give it to him.  He's not buying that, preferring to snuggle up against me.  I'll keep trying.

Why is it that kids whether human or furry get sick so often on nights or weekends?  I feel so helpless watching my normally sweet, energy filled boy lay beside me so still.  It reminds me of when my babies were small and couldn't tell me what was wrong.  I had that helpless feeling then and I hated it.  It reminds me of when my little grandson was so sick with asthma and laying in a hospital bed.  I hated that helpless feeling.  It reminds me of when my little Yorkie, Pete, was paralyzed and I held him hoping God would do a miracle and heal him.  It reminds me of when my oldest daughter got so sick and was snowed in out in the country in Minnesota while I was in Texas.  Right now, I am doing my best to keep from panicking and am thinking that it's a good thing I have the vet's office on speed dial for Monday morning at 7 bells.

Earlier this evening, I had a friend tell me about a situation she was facing.  Oh how I wished I could do something ... anything.  Again, that helpless feeling came over me.  Time after time in my life, whether it be friends or family or things going on in my own life, I have run up against that brick wall of helplessness.

I am fortunate, I am a believer in a God who hears our cries and steps in to minister to those helpless feelings.  He tells me to work like everything depends on me and pray like everything depends on Him.  We do make a great team!!  As soon as I finish this blog, I will light some white candles, grab my Bible, and enter the realm of prayer ... just some heart-to-heart, one-on-one time with my Lord.  There have been many people that the Lord placed on my heart for prayer today and they got quick attention.   Still, I like that deep soulful time of uninterrupted prayer.

My beloved Mom Seidler loved the song, "One Day At A Time."  I was humming that as I held Zeke.  I was humming that after I got off the phone with my friend.  I am still humming that.  I am only human and I when I get those helpless feelings, I have to remember who is ultimately in control.  Oh sweet Jesus, what would I do without your loving care?  Those of us with tender hearts need a warrior to help us in our time of need ... our time of tears and fear.

Over and over, my Lord has said that He is faithful and just.  I rarely understand the big picture; however, I trust in the one who does.  If you are like me and are feeling so helpless about a relationship or a situation, I would invite you to join me in prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven,  I trust that you have everything under control even when I am frantically searching for solutions and answers not only for myself but also for those I love and care about.  I ask that you come into my life and give me renewed hope and peace.  For those who are reading my blog, I ask that you minister to them exactly where they are at this moment in time extending your open arms to them, inviting them to come to you.  You know how afraid I am when I feel out of control and helpless; yet, I know that as I fill bowls with petitions and raise them to you, that you reach for them lovingly.  I rest in knowing that you will bring your healing powers in every corner of my world and in the worlds of my Readers.  In your precious son's name I pray as your servant, Miss Dottie.

Do you feel better?  Maybe so, maybe not.  There are times when I have to keep on praying, sharing my deepest petitions with not only the Lord but with a dear friend in Christ who will listen and not judge.  I know I leave you in good hands!

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.  And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

~~Romans 8:26-27

Miss Dottie

PS  I hope to make people realize how totally helpless animals are, how dependent on us, trusting as a child must that we will be kind and take care of their needs.  ~~James Herriot

PSS  Please remember there is a big difference between helplessness and hopelessness.  There is ALWAYS hope.  Think on that today!!