I was one of those “dorky” kids who wore saddle shoes. I was not what you’d call a social butterfly. As a matter of fact, I was painfully shy. I loved animals and felt more comfortable around my four-legged friends than the human race.
Every December, without fail, I would meticulously write out my Christmas list of presents that I wanted. At the top of the list were three big letters: DOG.
I so much wanted to have my own dog to play with and take care of. That wish was never granted. Every year my mother would emphatically say “NO!” and that was the end of the discussion until the next year.
I used to dream that I would wake up on Christmas morning and find a furry little puppy under the tree. I prayed so hard, but it wasn’t meant to be.
I certainly understood why God didn’t answer my prayer, but it still hurt and it didn’t quench my desire to love a puppy.
My mother’s dislike for dogs—really a fear—began when she was a little girl. Her beloved grandfather had tragically died after being bitten by a rabid dog. He had suffered a horrible death. That had left my mother devastated and gripped with fear every time she saw a dog.
One day I made the mistake of asking one more time. She was having an extremely stressful day. Her nerves were frayed, and on top of that she was dealing with a migraine headache. She suddenly blurted out, “The only way you are going to get a dog is if somebody leaves it to you in their will!”
Gulp. I felt a lump in my throat as I held back tears. I never asked her again.
God did give me a partial answer to my prayer, though.
Our former tenant Bill Stellberger had an elderly mother who needed a dog sitter. Even though I was only twelve years old, he knew I would be the perfect person to fill that bill.
Mrs. Stellberger had the smartest and most wonderful dog named Spotty. She was a mix of cocker spaniel and border collie. We hit it off immediately, and it was love at first sight for both of us.
Every time I would step foot in Mrs. Stellberger’s house, Spotty would leap into my arms and lick my face, crying with delight at seeing me. I cherished the time we spent together and felt such sadness when I had to leave. I counted the days when I would see her again.
One day just before Christmas, Bill knocked on the door and told us the sad news that his mother had passed away. He then disclosed that his mother had left me something in her will.
Me? Why me? I wondered. I wasn’t a member of the family.
“I need to get it. It’s in the car,” he said, turning from the doorway.
Mom and I watched as Bill went to his car and opened the door. Spotty jumped out and made a beeline for me! She wrapped her forelegs around me and could hardly contain herself.
With tears in my eyes I thanked Bill profusely, but I knew my mother’s stand on dogs. I was frozen in time and didn’t want the love fest to end.
Out of the corner of my eye I looked up at Mom. She had a blank look on her face.
Does she remember what she once said—the only way I’ll get a dog is if it’s in somebody’s will? What if she doesn’t remember . . . and says no? Will I ever see Spotty again? If I don’t, it would be devastating.
I tentatively looked up at her, my voice shaking, mustering the courage to whisper, “Ma . . . can I keep her?”
She didn’t answer.
I could feel the tears welling up and my face flushing.
It seemed like a lifetime. Her strained response finally came. “Yeah. I guess I don’t have much of a choice!”
I never felt such joy. I couldn’t stop crying happy tears. Spotty was mine! Mine! God had given her to me! My life was complete!
Every day I spent with my precious friend was pure joy. She would wait for me, looking out the front window, tail wagging, anticipating my return from school. We were inseparable. I never felt such unconditional love. (Not until I met SQuire, of course!)
My mother eventually fell in “like” with Spotty, and her fear of dogs disappeared. God gave me the desire of my heart and answered my prayer in the most unexpected way.
Spotty lived to be seventeen. She was my best friend and my confidante. When the dreaded time came that we had to “put her to sleep,” it was the saddest day of my life.
To this moment I can’t think about my sweet Spotty without tearing up. I know in my heart that I will see her again. I can picture her now, waiting for me at Heaven’s gate—as she did in the front window of our old house—tail wagging and ready to jump into my arms again.
Until then, SQuire will have to do!
Of course, I’m being facetious about SQuire, but those of you who have pets know that some of the greatest gifts and deepest joys that God gives us come in furry packages. Spotty wasn’t a gift that came in a box. But as Mom and I stood on the doorstep that day, Spotty sure became my best Christmas gift ever!
Was there ever something that you wanted more than anything, and you prayed for it but knew there was no earthly way that God could possibly answer your prayer? Don’t lose faith. God can do anything.
He can move Heaven and Earth just for you. And, mindful of the old adage “Where there’s a will there’s a way,” He’ll make a way where there is no way.
God will also answer your prayers with Godwinks, maybe just not the way you expect.
Who knows, perhaps you’ll get a Christmas Godwink like mine . . . it’s a gift of friendship that comes with snuggles and a lick on the face!