He made it through

     It sounded like a battlefield from 9:00 p.m. till dark. The forecast for this 4th of July was supposed to be rain. But it turned out to be one of the most beautiful evenings that we had in a long time. Constant booms and color glittered the sky. It truly was remarkable. When all sides of me from North, South, East and West, people were blowing off those fireworks that became like a challenge for each person running the show to blow up theirs in their hopes of out doing the other. It was exciting but at the same time overwhelming. There was no break! I mean this glitter show kept going and going and going for over an hour. My head and neck got more exercise than it would have had in a year. The colors and the height of the blast were out done by the next. We were sitting in the perfect spot. We could see and hear each one without dreading the crowd and the company of my daughter's family was just where I wanted to be. 

     There was just one thing. As my attention was focused on the light show, I kept thinking about my little rat terrier, at home. He hates fireworks. Like many dogs, he would bark at the slightest crackle and then refuse to go outside. As I sat there, I prayed, " just let him get through it alone, until I get back home ". My daughter set him up with plenty of food and water and turned the TV on loud enough to hopefully drown out what sounded like sticks of dynamite.

     We got home by 11:00, only to find the TV head shut off because the show had ended. There he was with his wagging tail to greet us. So happy to see us. But still refusing to go outside. I didn't blame him. He's a good dog and I knew he would rather be inside by us then out in the war zone. 

     As I awoke this morning, I looked at him and said, " well, you made it through! ". Why did I doubt it. God always hears our prayers. I've got to stop being a doubting Thomas and trust that God always sees us through, even in the prayers for your animal and the battlefield of 4th of July. 

     Matthew Kelly's quote, says it all. " Growth is often on the other side of discomfort. A muscle only grows through resistance. A seed has to be buried and split before it becomes a tree. Gold is refined by fire... Growth often begins, where comfort ends ". 

  Even animals feel the phenomenon. Trust is the key to the power of prayer.