One of my favorite things about having a pet is knowing they’ll always be there for you. The excitement they show when they first see you and how the stress of your day just melts away. Yeah, that’s my favorite. Dogs were a very important part of my childhood. My cousins had dogs, my grandma had a dog (not a very nice one), and I had the pleasure of having two precious pups. One named Casey and the other was Sheba. But to be honest this entry is not about either of them. No, this was later in my life, when I was told that I would never be able to conceive a child on my own account. Two years into my husband and I’s infertility journey, the Lord opened a door— a doggy door.
Through the help of a friend, we were able to adopt a cute little white apple-headed chihuahua with a torn ear, snaggle tooth, and brown spots on her back. Since we were both nerds, we decided that her new name needed to be cute but tough like a superhero. After going through a few heroines’ names, we both looked at each other and said the name, “Bubbles”. On February 20, 2016, we brought home our first dog. She quickly became our first baby (even though she was well out of her puppy years). We cared for her for 8 years before she crossed that rainbow bridge in the sky.
In the last year, I had to learn to be flexible and know when to pivot. Go ahead and laugh as a certain paleontologist’s voice inflexion echoes in your head. Haha. However, I had to learn to pivot through my disappointments. As far as I was concerned, my life did not look like I had imagined: my husband had broken his ankle, we were unemployed, we only had one child, and our dog just passed away. Suddenly all our summer plans of travels and transfers flew out the window and my summer felt bleak. God, what is happening?
Proverbs 19:21- “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
The summer we lost Bubbles, God stretched us in our faith. The night she passed was the day before my husband would have his cast removed. It was also the summer where the Lord called us to pastor Columbus Community. God was showing us how to pivot and trust him in the process.
Ultimately, God’s plans will always override our own and in that moment, this was what the Lord was teaching me. He showed me that it is okay to pivot and make a new plan. The word pivot is not just a fun word to quote or a fancy dance move. It can also be a way of life.
So how does one pivot, you may ask? The art of pivoting is not something you wake up with one day. It must be taught. It’s about changing your mindset and actions based on the situations you can’t change. Here’s the key: change what you can! One of the ways we can change our mindset is through prayer. Taking that time to ask the Holy Spirit, “How can I make the most of this situation?” Begin to seek his comfort, wisdom and joy for your life. Scripture tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Nehemiah told his people this because they were saddened by their actions. However, Nehemiah told them this was a time of celebration and to rejoice. God brings us forgiveness, renewal, and he refreshes our minds and our hearts. What should have been a time of mourning became a time of celebration.
I remember back in February when it was cold. Very cold. It was so cold that our pipes froze at our new home. What should have been a quiet morning at home became a frustrating one. Do you know how hard it is to explain to a 5-year-old that she can’t flush the toilet? We decided that it would be hard to live in this environment, so we pivoted our day. Our new plan started with a quick phone call to the in-loves, packing, and heading to one of our favorite coffee spots for hot coffees and a sour cream donut. We were on a road trip to Grammy’s and Ashlynn was so excited. I however was not excited. It probably took me most of that car ride to accept the fact that I would not be spending the day in my pajamas, I would not be sitting at my desk writing, and I would not be taking a shower at my house. No, my morning was looking very different. And to top it all off, it was the 9th anniversary of our Bubble’s Celebration Day. We were supposed to be celebrating 9 years with our Boo-Bear. This was a hard day to say the least, but I decided to make the most of a situation I could not change.
After arriving at my in-loves, we were greeted with warm hellos, hugs, and big smiles. They were so happy to see us, and we were happy to see them too. Ashlynn was able to spend time with her grandparents, Jason played some of his vintage video games, we celebrated the wonderful memories of our precious puppy, and I was able to relax and get some work done. We concluded the night with a delicious meal and showers.
As I reflect on these moments, I realize that life rarely goes according to our plans. But it’s in the unexpected twists and turns that we often find the greatest lessons and blessings. When life has got you down, don’t give up. Remember that God is always there guiding you. So, keep going. Embracing change, even when it’s difficult, allows growth, gratitude, and the support of loved ones (don’t do it alone). Whether it’s the loss of a beloved pet, unexpected challenges, or changes in our daily routines, choose to pivot with audacious faith.
Melinda Brown is a mother, co-pastor, entrepreneur, and now she can add author to her ever growing list of gifts. She and her husband, Jason, pastor Columbus Community Church in South East Texas and now, Melinda has agreed to come on board as one of our newest authors on the STXWM Blog Team. Her heart is to share the love of Jesus through her writing and to tell the world of the healing and comfort that can be found in a relationship with the Lord.
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