A Big Lesson From a Little Dog

This beautiful dog started my career as an author. She was dying on the roadside, and I desperately wanted some wonderful person to save her. Just not me. Unfortunately, I was the chosen one. In the end, I was grateful beyond belief for the sheer hell I went through to rescue the dying, then vicious, then problem-laden dog. Now, I can't imagine life without her. I was blessed far more than I blessed. Honeybun taught me lessons about God and faith, perseverance, and hope in the midst of terrible trials.

The true story of her rehabilitation was a #1 best-seller for nearly two full years. I was shocked and humbled by the success of the book. And now, it just came out as an audiobook! The narrator is a wonderful Christian actress, who I have come to deeply respect and admire. If you want to purchase the audiobook, you can find it here now, and soon it will be available at Amazon (here.) I will be giving away free audiobooks next week. To be sure you are in the running, "like" my facebook author page, and sign up for my mailing list on this blog, or on my Facebook page.

The biggest lesson of Honeybun is one that I am lucky enough to be encouraged to learn over and over. God is forever reminding me of this lesson. I personally believe I have got this lesson down pat, and need no more practice, but apparently God thinks otherwise.

This is the lesson:

Our greatest growth and reliance on God occurs in the midst of struggle. The harder the struggle, the more profound the lesson. I hate that this is true, but it is. Coal doesn't become a diamond without intense heat and pressure. The same is true of our character. The gem we will become requires a refining fire that is at times unbearable.

So praise God for the trials in life. He is preparing you to be a sparkling jewel in His kingdom. If there were any easier way, I would vote for it. There isn't. We just don't make the effort when life is easy. Until we recognize that nothing in this world can supplant the supremacy of God in our life, we don't really love God or understand Him. Most of us love what He can do for us...not who He is to us.

Jesus Himself is our example. Our eternal salvation was not achieved without immense pain and suffering. Jesus gave up everything that we might gain everything.

It was a big lesson my little dog taught me.
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1 Peter 5:10 

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

1 Corinthians 10:13 

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

James 1:2-4

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.