Abandonment Issues

Over a year ago, my wife and I drove to Seattle and visited a Pug Rescue Center.  It was there that we met a 10 year old ½ Pug, ½ Bulldog, ½ Heinz 57 named “Bubba Joe”.  10 years ago, Bubba Joe and his sister were selected together from a litter in Seattle. 

About a year ago, his sister passed away of cancer and the owners (for whatever reason), dropped him off at the Pug Rescue Center for adoption. 
 

Michele and I were drawn to the forlorn looking pooch curled up at the edge of yard.  He looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.  I plopped down next to him in the grass and he didn’t even look up.  He gave off the vibe that he had been through this before and for “self-preservation” reasons, he wasn’t going to get his hopes up. 

I told the veterinarian that owns the Pug Rescue Center that Bubba Joe was going home with us.  She seemed to understand what drew me to the old dog and was happy that he was going to a family that had room for him to freely roam.

I relate this story because over a year later, every time I tell Bubba Joe we are going for a “ride” and start walking towards the pickup, he freaks out and starts backing up with his tail between his legs and a look of fear on his face.  He loves living with us and is spoiled beyond words – but he still remembers his last owner loading him up and giving him a 1-way trip to the adoption agency. 
Our spiritual take-away from this story is simply this, “No matter what our past relationship experiences has been – God will never abandon you”. 

Do not take your negative relationship experiences and superimpose them over onto God. 

God loves you

God cares about you

God will always bring the best out of every situation

Believing this is called, “faith”. 

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives”  Genesis 50:20