God of the big and the small
It’s been a rough two weeks for me. But as I’ve struggled with some painful challenges, I’ve been reminded that our Father is the God of the big and the small.
If you visited my blog previously, you may remember that my Heidi dog is my faithful companion–a good watch dog, an announcer of visitors, and my best buddy when chore time comes.
Recently, Heidi has been sick. After two rounds of antibiotics, she felt better, but continued to cough. I debated another trip to the veterinarian, but crisis arrived first. As I headed out for early morning feeding, severe wheezing announced a sudden downturn in her condition. My faithful dog lay on the steps, struggling to breathe.
A call for help
Since Wednesday is a day off from Grandma duty, I called the vet’s office to set up a visit. The receptionist refused my request for a sick visit, stating, “We have no appointments until next week.”
What should I do?
I prayed for guidance.
Heidi’s condition worsened. I drove to the vet’s office, hoping to speak to him directly. Catching him in the waiting room, I begged him to see her. He agreed I could bring her at 4:30 the next afternoon.
But the next day was Grandma duty. Heidi would be alone at home from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Would she live through the day?
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7
God answered my prayers with blessings.
I’d prayed for two days–for the vet to see her, for her to keep breathing, even though every attempt on her part was a struggle. She was too weak to walk. I carried her, all sixty pounds, to the truck for the appointment.
The doctor confirmed the seriousness of Heidi’s illness. He administered a shot and prescribed two different antibiotics. Heidi began to improve. Her progress has been slow, but steady.
Heidi can run again! She can bark!
Once more, she’s my faithful companion at chore time.
Our God is the God of big and small things. In the grand scheme of the universe, my dog’s health is not of great consequence. But God loves His creation–all of us–animals, too!
I’m humbled by God’s love and compassion in caring for Heidi and His love for me in answering my prayer.
When has God answered a prayer for you that you may have considered a “small” thing, but God responded to your request?
How has God reminded you today of His great love for you?
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Matthew 10:29-30
While the “grand scheme of the universe” may not have been impacted by “Heidi’s” illness, your world was, and God is every bit as present and aware in it as He is throughout the universe. And because He is God, the universe was impacted because He was watching over you and “Heidi” from within it. I am so very glad to hear she’s recovering, and I bet you’re keeping her close. This past weekend, we had near freezing temperatures, which means “Bubba the chocolate lab” gets to spend the night on the sofa in our family room. He loves stretching out in front of the fireplace with his head on my lap. Before he started snoring, he and I said prayers for you and “Miss Heidi”. God’s blessings sweet friend.
I love the image of you and Bubba praying for Heidi. Bubba and Heidi would enjoy each other’s company, I think. Thank you for reminding me how God cares for all His living creatures and how we are all an important aspect of His creation. I hope you’ll continue to pray for Heidi. She’s still got the cough that persisted after her previous rounds of medicine. Wishing you a blessed week, kind sir.
Amen! What concerns us, concerns Him! I am so thankful for how He loves us.
Katherine, our God concerns Himself with everything that concerns us and that includes Heidi! Thank you for reminding us all that while He is God of the universe, He is also God of everything small. I am so grateful for His compassion on both you and Heidi. And most grateful for the reminder to pray for all things at all times. Blessings!
Thank you, Joanne. It’s so reassuring to know that God cares for all aspects of our lives and we recognize that the small things are still under His guidance. Wishing you joy and blessings.
Katherine, I’m so glad to hear your Heidi is doing better. Sometimes we don’t pray for the little things because we think God only concerns himself with the big things. But this isn’t true.
This reminds me of a story a friend told me of praying for cookies for a lunch program at our church. She was a bit embarrassed to pray for such a small thing. But the next day, six dozen cookies were delivered to the church. The woman who baked the cookies said that God put it on her heart that she needed to do this even though she didn’t usually bake cookies! God is good especially in the small things.
Thank you for your good wishes for Heidi, Suzanne. She’s my special buddy and I’m so grateful she’s better. I’m so glad you shared the story about the cookies. It’s a wonderful example of God’s attention and care of the “small” things that we’re unsure are “important.” What great love He has for us!
I’m thankful your Heidi is better and that we serve a loving, ever-present God.
I’m so thankful, too, Diana, for Heidi’s progress toward healing and that our God is always with us. Wishing you joy and blessings.
We had a dog named Heidi when I was a kid. We recently had to give up our dog, and the hole in our hearts is huge. Even so, we’ve seen God’s hand in the situation.
May God heal Heidi to enjoy many more years with you.
I understand, Nancy. Our dogs love us unconditionally and it certainly leaves a hole in our heart and lives when our pets die or need to be given away. Thank you for your prayers and good wishes for Heidi. I pray for a few more years with her, too. She’s such a sweet and loving girl. Wishing you a blessed week.
I love how our Heavenly Father concerns Himself with what concerns us. We see in Scripture where the shepherd cares for his sheep and where the family had a lamb as a pet.
Thank God that He heard your prayers and Heidi recovered.
God’s capacity for love is beyond our comprehension. And we are so blessed by that. I’m so grateful God answered my prayers for Heidi. Wishing joy and blessings, Connie.
God is in charge of the big and small things. I needed that reminder today. Thank you.
Thank you for stopping by my blog this week, Sarah. I also needed the reminder that God cares about the big and the small. He shows us all the time, but sometimes I forget. I’m thankful for these blessed reminders.
This is great. As a child I prayed for something trivial and was told that God is too busy to be concerned with my request. What could have been a faith-building moment turned into the opposite.
Fortunately, I later learned what mattered to me also mattered to God. If it concerns me, it concerns Him. Thank you for this story of faith, and I wish continued energy and companionship for you and Heidi.
How sad that adults trivialized your prayer and made you feel less important as God’s child. I’m so glad you were able to overcome that later. We know we can pray for anything and if our prayers are righteous, they are heard. We do matter to Him–we’re his amazing creation! Blessings, my friend.
Katherine, My heart was hoping for a good outcome as I read your blog. I felt your concern. God knew your anguish and allowed you to catch the Vet in the waiting room. He is good like that! Heidi seems to be a great companion to enrich your life. Glad she is better.
Thank you for your good wishes, Lisa. I’m blessed that God answered my prayers and those of others to help Heidi get better. She’s still on the road to recovery. I agree, it was all part of God’s timing that I was able to speak to the vet face-to-face. Wishing you a blessed week.
God is good no matter what, Katherine, but I join you in praising His mercy in your situation with Heidi. Our pets are such a blessing from the Lord! Thanks for sharing how you ran to Him right away. I can learn from your example.
Thank you, Annie. As a dog-lover, I know you understand how much joy Heidi brings to me. Thanks for your kind encouragement. Wishing you joy and sunshine!
I held my breath for quite a bit on this one, Katherine. Grateful for God’s intervention on Heidi’s behalf-and for your tender heart for your precious dog. You do so much for so many. Thanks for the verses. It’s amazing to consider his unfailing care for us, no matter how large or small our concerns.
I’m so grateful for God’s intervention for my dear Heidi. She’s a faithful companion and listens when I talk to her (a good role model for me). We are so blessed to serve a loving and compassionate God. I hope your week is blessed with joy and lots of time to put pen to paper (or fingers to the keyboard).
It’s so sweet to think how much God cares for us and through His creation. Sweet reminder. Thank you.
Your comment reminds me of a hymn, “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.” We re so blessed by His love. That is sweet. Thank you, Sylvia.
I am so thankful that the “little things” that make up my world are noticed and important to my Father just because they are important to me. I am praying over small things now, knowing that they are just part of the “good” that He is working out for me. I am so glad that Heidi is doing better. Our canine companions add so much to life.
Thank you for your good wishes, Sharon. We are blessed that our Father loves us so much that He is concerned about the “small” things (that are “big” things to us). Thank you for your kind encouragement. Wishing you joy and blessings.
I love the message. God cares about all living things especially when we love them. And when we trust Him with our small things, we learn we can trust Him with everything. Thanks Katherine
We are loved with a bigger love that I can comprehend. And, as you point out, Yvonne, it builds our trust when our Father demonstrates His love both in the “big and small” circumstances of our lives. I love your assuring statement, “We learn we can trust Him with everything.” Peace and blessings!
God’s got the time and broad attention spam to handle your concerns and the concerns of nations.
What a beautiful reflection.
Thank you, Pastor Tom. It’s so reassuring to know that our God has the ability to know all things at all times and is still carefully attentive to our needs. Wishing you joy and blessings.
My heart was breaking as I read your story. My horse and dog have played such large roles in my health journey that the thought of losing them seems unbearable. I pray long healthy life over Heidi. Thank you for the reminder that God cares about all aspects of our lives.
Thank you for your prayers for Heidi. Right now she is better, but since she’s relapsed once before, I’m worried about her. Of course, I know I’m not supposed to worry–I’m trying. Wishing you healing, joy, and blessings, Jen.
Katherine, I’m so glad Heidi is doing better. Our animals are special to us. I smile as I look at my two right now as they sleep close by. Blessings to you and Heidi!
Our animal friends are part of the family. Thank you for your good wishes for my sweet girl. Blessings to you and your family!