Yesterday while driving home from work, I was informed by my husband that our dog had gone missing from my in-laws house. They keep he, and my youngest daughter at their house while we are gone to work. They had let him out to do his business, and for some reason he bolted to the woods. We are guessing he spotted an animal that caught his interest, and chased it until he could no longer, then found himself lost. Our pup Riley is an indoor dog and is really only outside if we are out there with him, or to do his business, so his disappearance had us really concerned. He is also a very needy dog and emotional as far as him being away from his family. When my husband goes out of town, Riley is a wreck because he misses his "Daddy" and often makes himself sick over his absence emotionally. I know he is a dog, and if you are not a lover of dogs, this may seem ridiculous to you, but Riley is like one of my babies. By the time I found out he was missing, he had already been gone 2 1/2 hours with no clue as to his whereabouts. I had a peace about finding him, yet I was really concerned for his reaction to the whole thing KNOWING how scared he would be once he realized he was lost. Right then I charged angels around him in Jesus Name and prayed over him reminding God and myself of His word in :
Phil. 4:6-8
"do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
I also called a few friends and asked them to be in agreement to his return and safety in Jesus Name.
My request to God was that he would quickly find his way home, or for someone who would take care of him and do the right thing with his return.
I then felt led to stop at the Humane Society/ Animal Control and file a report. The lady that took my report could tell how concerned I was about his well being and how scared he would be. After we got down all the details I headed to my in-laws to help in the search for him. I began walking, and probably covered 5 miles of walking through corn fields, woods, and neighborhoods calling his name. I again reminded God that He says that He cares for all of the details of our lives.
Matthew 10:29-31
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[a] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
The Bible teaches that every person's life is important and significant in the eyes of God. Even the small details of life, in the eyes of God, are important. Jesus said that the hairs of your head are numbered. Jesus said that God cares for the sparrow, and then He added that you are of much more value than many sparrows.
Even the things that happen to us which God does NOT intend, things like disease, and frustration, bereavement and sadness, are being woven into a plan. Even small details and vast disasters finally carry out His purposes, just as Paul said to the Romans: "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)
After walking for 5 hours, torn clothes, muddy, wet, cold, and exhausted physically, it was getting dark and I was ready to give up as far as being outside because I didn't want to find myself lost in the woods in the dark as well. I said to God one more time "Please Lord, bring him home soon". I headed into the garage and my cell phone rang. The woman on the other end introduced herself as the woman from the Humane Society who had taken down my report. At that point she had my full attention. She then informed me that what she was doing was going completely against their policy but she was so moved by my visit, and the information she had that she could not help herself from calling me....it was even after hours. She said she had just received a call from a man not far from where Riley disappeared who had a dog in his back yard who fit the description of our dog that I had given them earlier at the shelter. She also reminded me that what she was also about to do also went against policy but she had been given permission by the caller to be able to give us their phone number to see if it was the right dog and possibly go and pick him up. My heart was racing. I thanked her and hung up. I then called the man and gave him the description of our dog and he gave directions to his home. He said that he could not get a look at the dogs tags because the dog was so afraid, that he was cowering in the corner of their fenced in yard and hiding behind the shed. Because he was so scared they were uncertain of what his reaction would be if they tried to get close to get a look at his tags - the whole reason they called the shelter.
When my husband and I arrived to this home, the man took us to the back and opened his gate. He explained that he had gotten home from work a half hour before and his dog was barking like crazy at the back yard, so we went out to see why, and found this dog. He said that he has no idea how the dog got into his back yard since his fence was a 5 foot privacy fence with no holes or gaps to squeeze into. When we walked into the back yard, he explained that the dog in question was behind the wood shed and wood pile as he was too afraid to come out. My husband called "Riley" and all of a sudden his head popped up from behind the wood pile, like a rabbit out of a hole with his ears at full attention...but he didn't move. It was almost like he thought he was hearing things and asking himself "am I hallucinating?" Then I also called his name as my husband walked closer and Riley was then able to recognize that it really was us - HIS FAMILY. He then came flying out like a race horse, yelping, yipping, dancing and prancing he was so excited to see us. The man whose house we were at said, "well there is no question that he is YOUR dog". At that point I began to cry and looked at the man and thanked him and told him that he had no idea how much it meant to us that he had called and allowed us to contact him. I think Tim and I thanked him a dozen times each. He said, "I have a dog that I love too, so I understand". He said, I just can't figure out how he got in my back fenced in yard because the fence is so high.
I can tell you that I KNOW how Riley got there and in that yard. Those angels that were charged around him and on assignment picked our boy up and placed him there and told him to STAY. They had protected him on his near 2 mile journey through the woods, cornfields busy streets, and neighborhoods, just as we had charged them to do in Jesus Name. Riley "cried/ whined" all the way home, and we just assured him that it would be okay. I don't think he will be taking off again any time soon, and that adventure would be the first and last time.
As I was thinking about how physically tired I was from walking to look for Riley, resulting in torn clothes, mud, exhaustion, and tears, I know I would have kept going if it hadn't gotten dark, because I was so desperate to find him. It got me thinking about how God NEVER stops searching after us when we are lost and away from him. It somehow reminded me of the Parable of the Lost Sheep:
Luke 15:3-7 He told them this parable.
"Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing. When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance."
The parable begins with a straying sheep. A sheep apart from its shepherd is defenseless and in grave danger. Jesus views any person apart from Him as lost. How is he lost? His sins alienate him from the holy God, leaving him groping aimlessly in darkness. “So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows” (Isaiah 59:9).
The shepherd in the story, however, didn’t despise his straying sheep. With a heart of compassion, Jesus also values each sinner the Father entrusts Him:
“And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that He has given me, but raise them up at the last day” (John 6:39). Jesus is intent upon rescuing the sinner not only because the Father gave them to Him but also because He loves them. His love led Him to sacrifice His life on the cross to take their punishment for sin.
The parable of the lost sheep also illustrates Christ’s attitude toward the saved sinner. The parable gives no indication of the shepherd ever rebuking or chiding. Instead, he hoists the sheep upon his shoulders and takes it home. An adult sheep may weigh anywhere from 110 to 125 pounds; it would be no small effort to carry one over the shoulder. For joy over finding that which was lost, the shepherd bears the discomfort. Likewise, Jesus bore the weight of our sins upon the cross. As High Priest and Mediator, He continues to bear our cares and infirmities before the Father. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness. . . . For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:24-25)
Finally, the parable of the lost sheep offers an extraordinary glimpse of heavenly emotions. The shepherd calls his friends and neighbors together, saying, “Rejoice with me.” The rescue of the lost sheep was a cause for proclamation and celebration. Similarly, Heaven rejoices when a sinner repents and is restored to fellowship with God. This joy is cheerfulness; it is calm, considered delight. It is a deliberate emotion -- thoughtful and sustained. This is not a picture of raucous dancing and carousing but of lasting pleasure and heartfelt satisfaction. Why? A sinner has come home! Such news delights the heart of heaven.
Since the beginning, God has been the Good Shepherd who rescues His lost sheep. When Adam and Eve were hiding in shame because of their sin, He sought them out. Yes, He disciplined them. But He promised a Rescuer. Until Christ’s death for their sins, He forgave them by their faith and covered them with animal skins. God still reaches out for the lost to cover and recover them through the blood of Jesus Christ.
I am so glad that my Riley pup is home and safe. I have God to thank for sending His angels and putting them on assignment to protect him just like we had asked in the Name of Jesus. God cares about every detail of our lives, and doesn't want any of us wandering lost and away from him. He will walk through a lot more than muddy fields and woods filled with picker bushes with torn clothes to save you.......He already has, He died on the cross to save you.
