Toby

by Macy Johnson

“With God all things are possible.”

(Matthew 19:26 NIV)

 

One sad Thursday morning during the COVID-19 pandemic, I awoke to a text from my son. His beautiful yellow lab had passed away in his sleep.

 

Toby would have celebrated his 12^th birthday two weeks later. I wept for my son, for everyone who ever was touched by Toby, and for all those who have lost loved ones during the coronavirus plague.

 

As I watched the neighborhood dogs romp and play in our front yard, I was reminded of the many times Toby came to visit us here. The minute our son released him from the car, Toby would make a bee-line for the lake. Nothing could hold him back from running full speed and jumping off the end of the dock, often into frigid water.

 

Toby lived with us for several months while Alex was in college. We grew fond of the large, graceful, and beautiful animal. He became part of our family. The only problem was that Toby’s coat would shed. I remember the day we had him shaved. Toby was naked, but my floors stayed clean.

 

I received a beautiful prayer box from a friend on my birthday last year. Inside the lid Matthew 19:26 is inscribed to remind me to ask for anything and everything. Intricately decorated index cards fit snugly inside. Names of those I pray for are written on the cards next to a date. Every Thursday I remind myself with a calendar tag to review all the cards. This particularly sad Thursday morning, I wrote Alex’s name on a card to remind me to pray for him in his grief.

 

I will lift up those who have lost loved ones recently and ask our heavenly Father to cradle them in His arms. I hope you will, too!