Stinky Blessings

 If you read about our dog’s escapade yesterday, you may think my gratitude for his “skunking” and drooling on the family room rug odd. That week began with a plan to bathe the dog and vacuum and shampoo the area rug on Friday. The tasks aren’t big chores but dreaded—they are my knees' enemies. But an unexpected family need put my plan on hold. I do not believe in coincidences: Had I bathed Scout and cleaned the rug when planned, I would have (without choice) had to repeat the tasks the next day. God’s timing; another of His unusual life lessons to share. And as a bonus, I discovered an antidote for skunk spray.

I don’t thank God for skunks, snakes, spiders, mosquitoes, lice, or other of God’s creatures with unfavorable characteristics, most likely consequences of humanity’s fall in the garden of Eden. But I am grateful when He uses such nuisances to remind me He’s always watching, knows what He’s doing (even when I don’t understand), and nothing happens without His permission. That day, God’s timing blessed me by caring for little things that made a big difference in my well-being. Most High knows everything from before the beginning to the end and what hasn’t yet happened. His Word stands, and He carries out His purposes: “Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” (Isaiah 46:10). Thank You, Father, for Your loving care and lessons learned.