My pastor, Matt Chandler, has mentioned how we can go from living a “normal” laughter-filled day, to receving a phone call that will bring us to our knees, crying, and broken within seconds.

Before last Tuesday, I had only experienced that phone call once in my life… just one year earlier. On Tuesday , June 10, at 5 PM I received that call. My boyfriend, Brian, called me in a panic telling me that Gus was hit by a car and was dead. If you know me, you know that Gus, our dog, was like a child to Brian and me. My first thought was that this is a sick joke… at least every bone in my body was hoping that it was. Unfortunately, it was not. I told my boss I had to leave, got in my car in a state of pure confusion, called my mom and busted out crying. It was then that I realized that it wasn’t a joke and that things like this do happen in life. It may never make sense no matter how long we stress over what we could have done differently to prevent it from happening. When I got home, it was like my mind and body didn’t know how to work. All I knew how to do was pace around, confused, and frustrated, trying to set things straight in my mind. I guess that’s what they call “shock.”

It’s funny how we always think “oh that won’t happen to me…. or my loved ones….” We think we have such power over our lives. Hah, Not so much. It is all in His hands.

The only thing getting me through this difficult, tragic time is knowing that the Lord is sovereign and has a plan. Gus was pretty much a perfect dog. He was such a blessing in our lives. He was a great companion and went EVERYWHERE with us. Gus went to work with Brian every day. He always spooned with me and loved to put his head on a pillow- like a human. We liked to think he was part puppy, part old man. He constantly made us laugh. He was a huge part of our lives and there will always be a significant void where he used to fill. When tragic things like this happen, it helps set things into perspective and forces you to realize how you should be living each day- to the fullest. Don’t take one day for granted. Don’t take your friends or family for granted. Or even your pets. It sucks that it takes something this big to shake us, break us, and set us straight.

Maybe it was a blessing that I was moving apartments the day after Gus’ accident, to keep my mind occupied on something else. It was like I got to work some of my frustrations out by throwing around boxes and stuff. Gus’ 1 year birthday would have been at the end of August.

Here are some verses helping me get through this rough time:

Lamentations 3:32 – Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.

John 16:20 – “I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.”

Psalms 147:3 – He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds.