We often hear how someone rescues an abused or unwanted dog, but we don’t always hear of how a dog or another animal rescues us.
Dogs were often my best friends when I grew up on a farm. They often comforted me with their unconditional love, loyalty, and ability to understand what I was feeling.
Some years ago, I read a book called Blind Hope: An Unwanted Dog and the Woman She Rescued by Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher. It’s an inspiring true story of healing for both a blind dog and the woman who reached out to save her.
When Laurie went to work for Crystal Peak Youth Ranch, her soul was aching. She discovered an unwanted dog who was broken in heart and body and decided to rescue her. But what a surprise when the dog, Mia, actually rescued her!
When they took a walk, Mia would be fine as long as she listened and stayed near to Laurie’s footsteps, but sometimes she diverted to a different path. Once she realized Laurie was no longer next to her, she became hysterical and ran in circles. At those times, Laurie’s calm voice was not enough to soothe her. She needed to bend down and hold Mia in her arms as she whispered, “You’re safe, my sweet girl. It’s okay.”
Once at the height of frustration, Laurie wanted to shout, “How many times are you going to move away from me and then freak out because you think I have left you? How many times will I have to walk back and scoop you up before you simply learn to walk with me?”
Then the truth pierced Laurie’s heart – “God has been asking me those same questions!”
Through Mia, God taught Laurie deep spiritual lessons of true acceptance, unconditional trust, and authentic love.
Isn’t this story a picture of our lives? When we want to follow Jesus, we often get distracted by the clamor in this world or in our minds. Or we decide our way is better. Or sometimes because of past hurts, we are afraid to trust. So we wander away on our own and eventually realize we no longer hear the footsteps of our Master. Then we get frantic and assume He has left us alone.
Even when we wander away, Jesus lovingly and patiently waits for us to cry out to Him. Then He hurries to us and holds us as He whispers, “You’re safe, My child. It’s okay.”
Jesus will always rescue us and again bring us onto the right path. To listen for and follow His footsteps. Not our own or another’s. Just His.
“He led me to a place of safety;
He rescued me because He delights in me.”
2 Samuel 22:20 NLT
“Put all your trust in the Lord
and do not rely on your own understanding.
At every step you take keep Him in mind,
and He will direct your path.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 REB
Kim Meeder owns the Crystal Peak Youth Ranch,
a place of hope for abused horses and children.
“Thank You”
by Jesus Army
You reached out to me,
But I turned my back ’cause I didn’t think you had what I need.
Now you’re everything,
You’re everything to me.
I can’t be without you God,
You’re everything.
I was lost and you found me,
I was dead inside,
And you breathed into me,
And you brought these bones to life.
I want to say thank you,
Thank you for saving me.
‘Cause I was scared of the pain that came with trust.
But I came running back,
Into your embrace…”
Freed to Fly 
Beautiful story! The Lord does often uses animals to minister to us – for that I am grateful! 🐶
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Thank you, Lisa. I’m grateful, too, that God often uses animals to minister to us! Do you have a story to share? 🙂 May our hearts be open to whichever way God speaks to us!
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Amen!
Btw, animal stories are a favorite, thanks for asking! http://theburninglamp.com/category/maggies-corner/
Hope you enjoy Maggie’s Corner! 😻
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Thank you so much for sharing about Maggie, Lisa! This story brings tears to my eyes. It awes me how God drew you to her in her need, and she in turn ministered to you in times of turmoil and trial, even betrayal. I’m so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful truth you learned through her, that “God rescues us from desolate and hopeless places.” Thank you for encouraging me with this heartfelt story! Blessings to you!
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This is a beautiful story! Animals can be such a gift. And it is the perfect illustration of how we sometimes are with God. I’m grateful that he never abandons us or leaves us alone even when we wander off.
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Thank you, Lesley. Yes, animals truly can be such a gift! I’m so grateful, too, that God never abandons us or leaves us alone when we wander off. May His unconditional love sink deep within our hearts and beings!
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Trudy, thank you for this beautiful reminder of God’s unconditional love. It’s easy to doubt because we humans can’t love like this, but it’s real and secure and true. Hugs, friend!
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Yes, His unconditional love is so “real and secure and true!” That’s such a comfort. Hugs to you, too, Lois! May this truth hold us fast when the ground we’re on feels so shaken and unsteady!
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As soon as I started reading your post, tears filled my eyes. I am always moved when I read or watch stories about dogs (or other pets) that heal hearts! There is so much goodness in the world amongst the craziness. Thank God for Kim who manages this place that helps others heal and overall makes the world a better place.
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Oh Lynn, those stories move me so much, too! Yes, goodness amongst the craziness! Kim has such amazing stories to tell. She has such a heart of compassion for abused and hurting people and horses. I read her first book – Hope Rising – years ago and I still get their newsletter. With her I pray for all of us that “No matter the reason that drew you here—my prayer is that the all-consuming love of Jesus would Fill your heart—drenching your soul and spirit with His Presence. I pray that His love would become so deep with you that the overflow would transform the world around you.” (Words from their website)
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Dear Trudy,
What a beautiful story and beautiful song too! Thank you so much for sharing this; I have often been so blessed by the comfort that those little animals bring. They are such sweet object lessons of His love for us, aren’t they? And that picture of running hysterically when we can’t see how the Lord is with us? Oh, how well I understand those feelings. He is so good to come alongside, and just hold me still then. Thank you for sharing this today Trudy. I’m sharing this with a loved one today! Blessings, love and hugs to you! xoxo
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Yes, Bettie, they truly are sweet object lessons of His love! I love how you word that! That picture of running hysterically really resonates with me, too. I am sure grateful how He comes alongside us and just holds us, whispering His love to us. I know you have experienced this so much in the midst of your pain, and I so appreciate that you share with us in your posts how God keeps coming alongside you, holding you and filling your heart with His love. My heart breaks for you, but at the same time my heart is so often comforted by what God teaches you of the depths of His love. Blessings, love, and hugs to you, too! May we lean into and cling to our Lord who loves to hold us in His loving and comforting arms!
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Such a touching and inspiring story, Trudy! It does mirror perfectly how we fail to trust in the voice of God and instead, run around blindly in frantic, hopeless circles. May we ever remember that the Lord is there with us every day and all the time.
Blessings, my friend!
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Thank you, Martha. Blessings to you, too! We’re so prone to trust our own way above God’s way, aren’t we? Yes, He is always with us, watching out for us even when we can’t “see” Him. May we ever more deeply open our hearts to listen to His voice and follow His footsteps!
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Such a beautiful story, Trudy! Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you, June. God speaks to us so often through His creatures, doesn’t He? Not only in nature, but also in our pets. May we hear His voice in them all!
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Sounds like a great book.
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It definitely is a great book, Rebecca. It’s an inspiring story of healing love in both Mia and Laurie. May we open our hearts to the depth of God’s love and how He can work through any of His creatures!
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Trudy, what a gorgeous song. It’s a new one to me and is playing gently even as the sleet hits the windows sideways.
Your place is always warm and welcoming, friend …
Praise God that He has found us.
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Yes, praise God that He found us! The song is new to me, too, Linda. I’m grateful it gave you warmth and comfort even as that sleet was hitting your windows. It’s been so cold here, too. I long for spring and warmth and new life! Thank you for your kind words. I find your place warm and welcoming, too! May we open our hearts ever more deeply to the warm and welcoming love of Jesus’ unconditional love!
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What a lovely story about Mia and Laurie. It’s such a beautiful analogy of the ardent, chasing heart of God for us! I was reminded of how it felt to first experience that love for myself and how any “pain that came with trust” was swiftly washed away by His all-consuming love. These words from the song really hit home:
“I was lost and you found me,
I was dead inside,
And you breathed into me,
And you brought these bones to life.”
Many who have been found by God can attest to how it feels like coming home and coming alive after feeling lost, lonely and dead on the inside. What a wonder it is to be so sought after! And to have our cold, wary hearts thawed by God’s fire of unconditional love. Thank you, Trudy, for this hopeful and reassuring message. Blessings, love and hugs! xo ❤
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“What a wonder it is to be so sought after! And to have our cold, wary hearts thawed by God’s fire of unconditional love.” Yes! So true, Joy. I’m so grateful you found hope and reassurance in Mia and Laurie’s story and in the meaningful words of the song. May we continually find our safe haven and home in Jesus and His all-consuming love!
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Spot on, Trudy!! And the people that have come into my life because of Jack (my Mia!) have helped me move forwards too! It is in looking backwards that I realized a greater power must be responsible for how else could I move to a place of healing and have so many questions answered other than in hearing this truth!
I’ve struggled many times trying to write about Jack (and Jill) and how a plain donkey could heal my broken heart… I hope to be able to write his/my story some day!! Thank you Trudy for this post!! ❤
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I knew you would identify with this story, Jennifer. 🙂 I look forward to your story of how Jack (and Jill) were used to minister to your broken heart. Someday when the time is right, God will give you the words. Yes, it surely was a God-thing! May we continue to open our hearts to the truths and comfort God gives through His creatures!
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Hi, Trudy! I finally made it over here; sorry it took so long.
What a beautiful story, and such comforting points you’ve drawn from it! Thanks for inviting me to come check it out! 😊
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Thank you, Ruth. It truly is a beautiful story of God’s grace through one of His creatures, isn’t it? May we keep learning spiritual lessons through His creatures, whether wild or domestic!
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Amen!
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I loved this post and hearing all about this story! I have written a couple of posts myself about the many lessons my dogs have taught me about God. Pets are a wonderful gift from God that can teach us so much about faith and life. I really enjoyed this 🙂
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I’m so glad you enjoyed this inspiring story. I just read the story of how you and your family rescued Daisy. I love the patience, kindness, and love you gave her. Yes, pets truly are wonderful gifts from God. It’s amazing how God uses them to teach us important faith and life lessons. May God use us to radiate and inspire the love and hope we can find in Him!
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