Our Dog Billy

For those who don’t know, we have a dog named Billy. We adopted Billy from Soi Dog Rescue in January. Billy was raised at a temple in northern Bangkok. His life in the temple was a difficult life. He always had to fight other dogs for food, water, and anything else he needed. When he has a puppy, he was hit by a car. The accident damaged his back legs. Soi Dog Rescue took Billy, gave him the surgery he needed to fix his legs, and nursed him back to health.
When we adopted him, he was getting better. He could walk around and play, but still had a little hesitation in jumping. Now you won’t know that he had any of those problems. He is grown up and able to do anything he wants. In fact he can now jump completely over our couch. The only residual problem that he has is the loss of his hearing. Through the entire trauma, Billy lost his hearing. Those who know Billy say that we live in Billy’s home. He only allows us to stay there to provide him with food, water, and loving care. Other than that, everything else belongs to him. He is definitely a long way from his days on the soi. When I think about my crazy dog Billy, I think about our lives.

In Ephesians 1:3-14 say: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory."

Like Billy, our lives are so much different after God adopts us and takes us into His house, making us part of His family. Life on the streets is very difficult. We have to depend on ourselves. We have to provide for ourselves. We get caught in the struggles for survival that the world knows. Life on the streets is very dangerous. There are many bicycles, motorcycles, cars, and busses that speed by never knowing or caring that we are there.
But life in God’s yard is so much better. We have the peace that comes from the care and love of God. We know from where our next meal is coming. We know that we will be provided with living water that will not dry up. We know that we will always be loved and cared for. This is the love and care that God offers to all soi dogs everywhere. If you are part of God’s family, relax and enjoy the love and care that is from God. If you’re not part of God’s family, He is always there waiting to adopt another stray into His wonderful family.

God Bless,

Andy Miller