Kathleen Long Bostrom
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Grace Happens

4/7/2022

1 Comment

 
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I am learning once again how grief and grace dance hand in hand.
​
In the midst of grieving the loss of our beloved Ellie (see March 18 post) I began looking online for another rescue dog. Ellie was a rescue, and once we adopted her we vowed to always adopt a rescue dog. It's shocking how many are available, once one starts to look.

And I spent a lot of time looking. In those weeks when I could hardly focus, and tears sprang readily and freely, I began to browse animal rescue sites. It felt almost disloyal to Ellie, even though I told myself it was anything but. Greg and I often have told a widowed person who remarries not to feel guilty. Wanting what one has had is an expression of the love shared and missed. We honor life by claiming it. Ellie is lodged deeply in our hearts and nothing will erase that. Loving a new dog, we're discovering, only makes more room in our hearts for expanding that love by welcoming another precious into our lives.

Welcome to our world, Sophie Grace!

Sophie is a mixed breed whose mother was rescued from the streets hours before giving birth to nine healthy puppies. The question, "Should we get a puppy or perhaps a dog a year or so old?" was promptly answer when we held this 5 pound baby in our arms for the first time.

Sophie is almost 10 weeks old, and even though she came home less than two weeks ago, she has quickly etched herself on our hearts. Love and joy  and laughter abound in our home again.

Easter will be here in 10 short days. There is much packed into the church timeline between now and then: Palm Sunday, Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and then, resurrection! Joy! The promise of renewal, new life, and life everlasting.

I'm feeling that promise and joy even now as I walk through the rest of Lent.

In life and in death and every moment in between, grace happens.

And I thank God with my whole heart. 




1 Comment
Stephanie Rische link
4/11/2022 06:34:48 am

What a beautiful reflection on Grace! And what a sweet pup!

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  • Home
  • Children's Books
    • Board Books >
      • Will You Be Friends with Me?
      • The View At The Zoo
      • God Loves You
      • Thank You God!
      • Good Morning God!
      • Rufus and Ryan Say Their Prayers
      • VeggieTales This Little Light of Mine
      • VeggieTales Count Your Blessings
      • VeggieTales Hooray! It's Easter Day!
    • Picture Books >
      • Since The Baby Came
      • Easter Stories and Prayers
      • Why Is There a Cross?
      • Who Is Jesus?
      • God Loves You
      • The View At The Zoo
      • The Worst Christmas Ever
      • Who Made the World?
      • Bedtime Stories and Prayers
      • My Pet Shop
      • Papa's Gift
      • When Pete's Dad Got Sick
      • That's So Weird!
      • Song of Creation
      • Sunrise Hill: An Easter Story of Faith, Inspiration, and Courage
      • Stories from the Bible
      • The Day Scooter Died
      • Waiting for Christmas: A Story about the Advent Calendar
    • Christian Children's Books >
      • Since The Baby Came
      • Easter Stories and Prayers
      • Who Is Jesus?
      • Questions from Little Hearts - Signed Edition
      • Thank You God!
      • Bedtime Stories and Prayers
      • Who Made the World?
      • Good Morning God!
      • Rufus and Ryan Say Their Prayers
      • Stories from the Bible
      • The Worst Christmas Ever
      • Waiting for Christmas: A Story about the Advent Calendar
      • Papa's Gift
      • Song of Creation
      • Why Is There a Cross?
      • That's So Weird!
      • Sunrise Hill: An Easter Story of Faith, Inspiration, and Courage
      • The Day Scooter Died
      • When Pete's Dad Got Sick
      • The Value-Able Child
      • 99 Ways To Raise ​Spiritually Healthy Children
      • VeggieTales This Little Light of Mine
      • VeggieTales Count Your Blessings
      • VeggieTales Hooray! It's Easter Day!
    • Christmas Stories >
      • The Worst Christmas Ever
      • Waiting for Christmas: A Story about the Advent Calendar
    • Easter Books for Children >
      • Easter Stories and Prayers
      • Why Is There a Cross?
      • Who Is Jesus?
      • Sunrise Hill: An Easter Story of Faith, Inspiration, and Courage
      • God Loves You
      • Thank You God!
      • VeggieTales Hooray! It's Easter Day!
      • Bedtime Stories and Prayers
      • Questions from Little Hearts - Signed Edition
  • Books for Adults
    • Women's Devotional & Spirituality >
      • Finding Calm in the Chaos
      • Making Space For The Spirit
      • 99 Things to Do Between Here and Heaven
      • Daily Feast Meditations from Feasting of the Word
    • Raising Healthy, Happy Children >
      • 99 Ways To Raise ​Spiritually Healthy Children
      • The Value-Able Child
    • Devotionals & Spirituality >
      • Daily Feast Meditations from Feasting of the Word
      • Finding Calm in the Chaos
      • Making Space For The Spirit
      • 99 Things to Do Between Here and Heaven
    • Daily Feast Meditations from Feasting of the Word
    • Finding Calm in the Chaos
    • Making Space For The Spirit
    • The Value-Able Child
    • 99 Things to Do Between Here and Heaven
    • 99 Ways To Raise ​Spiritually Healthy Children
    • Winning Authors: Profiles of the Newbery Medalist
  • Kathy's Musings
  • About Kathy
  • Easter sale 50% Off!
    • Easter Stories and Prayers - 4 Books in 1 - Signed Edition
    • Rufus and Ryan Celebrate Easter! Signed Edition
    • Who is Jesus? Signed Edition
    • Why is There a Cross? Signed Edition
  • Exclusive Signed Editions for Sale
    • Questions from Little Hearts - Signed Edition
    • Bedtime Stories & Prayers - 4 Books in 1 - Signed Edition
    • Who Made the World? Signed Edition
    • Rufus and Ryan Give Thanks - Signed Edition
    • Rufus and Ryan Go to Church! - Signed Edition
    • Rufus and Ryan Say Their Prayers - Signed Edition
    • Papa's Gift - Signed Edition
    • The Day Scooter Died - Signed Edition
    • When Pete's Dad Got Sick - Signed Edition
    • Waiting for Christmas Signed Edition
    • My Pet Shop - Signed Edition
  • Events
  • Videos