Different wounds heal at different speeds.  Some scars are visible, and others are not.  No one “treatment plan” works on all wounds, or on all dogs.  My new owner/protector is working hard too, learning my language, and my personality, and my needs.  I am learning to trust and respect her, even though we are very different.  She can never be my ‘mother’, but she will be my protector, my leader, my companion, my friend, and we will go on a long walk through life together, as the Great One intended all along.  I am being redeemed… the journey continues, and I am meeting more fellow travelers each day, as we walk the walk together.
       __Natasha

The Westminster Shorter Catechism says “Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man (sic) after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin and live unto righteousness”. It was written in the 1600s, so you will have to forgive the archaic language.  The truth it contains still resonates.  That the work of God’s free grace is just that: WORK.  An on-going, life-long commitment to trust God, to respect Christ’s Way, and together to lean into, learn from, and grow in the freedom that Christ offers to His disciples.

This freedom is not a license to ‘do whatever I want to do’.  It does not give us permission to be abusive to others.  An old Mexican saying: “my freedom ends where your nose begins”.  Self-respect includes self-restraint.  Christ’s freedom includes understanding that ‘they too are under God’s free grace’.  Following Christ includes acceptance of those who are on the road with us, for we all are traveling the faith journey in the same direction… heading Home!

I’ve been singing my way through some old hymnbooks, and recently found one of my mother’s favorites… I remember listening to her singing it before I could understand the words… It sounded like a warm hug, like a ride in her rocking chair. Now that I know what it’s about, it sounds like a song for the journey!  Written in the 1800’s, yes, it’s old.  But beautiful!  Maybe the choir could sing it for us someday? (hint, hint!)
       __Peggi

Come, Ye Disconsolate

Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish,
Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel;
Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish;
Earth has no sorrows that heaven cannot heal.

Joy of the desolate, Light of the straying,
Hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure!
Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying,
‘Earth has no sorrows that heaven cannot cure’

Here see the Bread of Life; see the waters flowing
Forth from the throne of God, pure from above;
Come to the feast of love; come, ever knowing
Earth has no sorrows that heaven can’t remove.

Tune: Consolation
           By Samuel Webbe (1740-1816)
Words: Thomas Moore (1779-1852)
            & Thomas Hastings (1784-1872)