“You can’t please God without faith, without depending on
him." ~ Hebrews 11:6
Sweet, active, and charming were qualities
that described Jellybean. As a scent
hound breed, dachshunds were bred to hunt tunneling animals, rabbits, and
foxes. For that reason, he firmly
believed that sleeping under the bedcovers was his right. That also made him a flight risk when off-leash
since he often raced after the first scent or sight he encountered.
It began as a routine morning walk for Charlene and her
wiener dog. Out of nowhere, Jellybean (Bean
for short) began barking and pulling her towards a concrete storm drain inlet. Though bright and clever, Dachshunds like to
do things their own way; in other words, they're very stubborn. It was obvious the dog was trying to tell her
something.
At first, Charlene thought she heard meowing well past heavy
irons bars preventing entry into the storm drain. Bean must’ve picked up the scent of a cat
stuck inside and hastened to pursue his prey.
Charlene frantically waved for help. Dozens ignored her until 60-year-old Raul
pulled over. The stranger got down on both
knees and stuck his head as far into the sewer as possible. Nothing could’ve prepared him for what he saw!
Thirty feet or so farther into
the drain lie a naked baby, with part of an umbilical cord still attached,
shivering in the icy cold water. But
that wasn’t the most amazing part!
There, cuddled around the newborn, lay Bean trying his
hardest to keep the infant warm and calm.
The child must have been thinking: “Your
paws wrapped right around me bring a peace I've never known before, calming the
chaos in my heart. You give me hope for
the future; that there’s nothing to fear.
And love is enough.”
Raul hurried back his pickup and retrieved a large pry bar. With Charlene’s help the pair managed to spread
the bars wide enough to enter the drain and retrieve the baby. Under Bean’s watchful eye, paramedics treated
the baby for hypothermia and respiratory issues and rushed her to the hospital. The birth mother who abandoned the child was
never identified.
Consider this. Charlene
had ended up on an unfamiliar path for their walk that morning. Raul had taken a shortcut to work because
he’d been running late. And Bean, whose
natural prey instinct would’ve been to attack and perhaps kill the small child,
did just the opposite.
Were these simply coincidences?
The way you answer the question will affect the way you give
thanks this week. If a blessing you
receive was just an accident, you can be happy.
But if you understand that the gift came from God, then be grateful to Him
as well as the people He sent to bless you.
My Lord, help me to recognize and give rightful
thanks for Your hand in the blessings I receive. Deepen my faith so that I see You not only
active in my life’s circumstances, but also in providing for my needs. Amen
