God is there for you even when you forget about him.

Yesterday was a dark day at our home.
 

Our big dog Deus, (Which means “The Lord” in Latin.) was really struggling just to stand. Over the past several weeks his condition had really taken a nose dive.
 

Deus was never what one would call an active dog. Sure when he was young he would run a little or pull when on leash, but for the most part he was a lap dog.
 

The largest from a litter of 16 Giant Schnauzer puppies, he was always our gentle giant.
 

At the time we got Deus, I had been thinking I wanted more children. My husband thought differently so a puppy was an easy compromise. So at 12 weeks we brought home our 22lb bundle of joy. He was adorable with his fluffy little beard, tape and Popsicle sticks on his ears, and GIANT paws. It was love at first sight. Since I got Deus instead of the baby I thought I wanted, I held him, rocked him, carried him, kissed and hugged him every minute I could. Deus grew to be a 155lb lap dog. (We didn’t mind)
 

Over the years he has always been our sweet, big boy. It was always hard to scold him, because he would just lick your face when you were done.
 

Several Christmases ago, my Mom offered to pet sit while we all went to Florida. She left cream cheese and butter in the sink to soften while she and my Grandmother went to evening church services. When they came home they were astonished at the mess he had made. Not only did he take the cream cheese and butter out of the sink to eat but afterwards he stuck his sticky head in the trash and drug out coffee grounds. My Mother lost it! She got right in his face and smacked him with a wooden spoon. Deus looked her straight in the eye and LICKED HER FACE! She was now coated with cream cheese, butter and coffee grounds. We all laugh about this every Christmas.
 

This was his life. He loved to counter surf. We tried to remember to NEVER leave ANY food on the counters. Boxed, canned, dry, wet, he would eat anything!
 

Even as his arthritis worsened he would brave the pain for a loaf of forgotten bread.
 

Getting back to yesterday, I am sure you can figure out by now, that Deus did not come home with us from the vet. Instead he went home to heaven. Now, the reason I felt that my personal life was blog worthy came when I opened my email later that day. You see, I get a daily email from a pastor that I have never met or corresponded with. I don’t know if he emails only me, or millions of people, but here is what he sent me yesterday at 1:58AM.
 

  GOD WILL WIPE AWAY EVERY TEAR FROM THEIR EYES;
  THERE SHALL BE NO MORE DEATH, NOR SORROW, NOR
  CRYING.  THERE SHALL BE NO MORE PAIN, FOR THE
  FORMER THINGS HAVE PASSED AWAY.
                          ( REVELATION 21:4 *NKJV )
So I read this passage and just started bawling. When I pulled myself together, I tried to read further. (It just got more personal from there.)
  “My First Christmas In Heaven”
     I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below
     With tiny lights, like Heaven’s stars, reflecting on the snow
     The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear
     For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
     I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear
     But the sounds of music can’t compare with the Christmas
     choir up here.  I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices
     bring.  For it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing.
     I know how much you miss me; I see the pain inside your heart
     But I am not so far away, we really aren’t apart.
     So be happy for me, dear ones, you know I hold you dear.
     And be glad I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
     I sent you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above.
     I sent you each a memory of my undying love.
     After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold.
     It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.
     Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do.
     For I can’t count the blessing or love he has for each of you.
     So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear
     Remember, I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ
     this year.
                                                        Author Unknown
So I share my personal loss with you, in hopes that you will be comforted as I am with the hope that I too will someday see my beloved family in heaven. These messages were sent to me because Jesus knew what I would be going through that day. He knows what you are going through every day as well. Invite him into your life. He is there to comfort us, care for us, share with us, and above all Love us.
 

Please remember why we all gather together at this time. To celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
 

God bless you all this holiday season.
Diana