“God works for the good of those who love Him." ~ Romans
8:28
The image of a taupe-colored puppy
on an exam table, emaciated and covered in scabs, was almost too horrible to
comprehend. She’d likely been caged,
neglected, and starved to near death.
The animal rescue group gave her less than 1% chance of surviving the
night.
Miraculously, with fluids, nutrition, and an urgent visit to
the vet, the puppy began to perk up. Her
rapid recovery prompted the rescue team to dub her “Xena the Warrior Puppy.” They even started a Facebook page showing her
amazing recovery that quickly gained 9,000 followers.
Linda Hickey, one such admirer, fell in love with the
wounded Warrior. She checked the Facebook
page several times a day, praying for her health and a speedy recovery. It kept her mind off the challenges her own family
faced.
Their 8-year old son Johnny had been diagnosed as
autistic. He read with proficiency, but
autism left him alone and isolated. Most
of his social interactions were painfully awkward; unfamiliar situations often
triggered terror, tantrums or both.
Seeking comfort and predictability, he’d embrace solitary activities
like playing with marbles or coloring in silence. They’d run out of ideas on how to reach him.
Linda talked to God often about Johnny. Xena had been given almost no chance of
surviving, yet she was thriving. A
warrior, all right! Linda wasn’t holding
out for something that miraculous for her son Johnny, but maybe there was hope
for him yet. God always has a plan.
Since then Johnny hasn’t stopped talking. He talks to Xena all the way home from school,
during homework and afterwards he plays with her until dinner. According to his mom, “Xena helped Johnny
come out of his shell; he’s never been happier.”
Xena helps Johnny in other ways too. He’s always struggled with personal-space
issues, but he’s fine with letting Xena lean on him, lie down on him and perch
precariously on his lap. It doesn’t
matter that she weighs almost as much as he does. And despite his phobia of touching food, Johnny
prepares dinner for Xena every night.
While the Hickeys are more hopeful now than they’ve ever
been about Jonny’s future, they find it best to focus on the day they’re
living, and possibly the day after that.
“God had a plan,” Linda said. “These
two were destined to be together - to rescue each other at a level that humans
simply can’t fully understand.”
Lord, let me do my very best to honor You in
everything I do. Help me to understand
and carry out the perfect plan You have for my life. Amen
