My blog articles are usually about how physical fitness relates to spiritual health, so I apologize for the change in topic with this post. I had been praying about what to write, and God told me to write this.

Last week, my husband and I made the very difficult decision to put down our dog, Milo. Due to circumstance, we have to wait a certain period of time before it can happen. But, by the time this post goes out, Milo will already be in doggy heaven. Physically, Milo is in good health and could have had a long life; however, he mentally has some issues, which at 85 pounds, can be very dangerous.

Since we actually scheduled the day of his euthanasia, there’s been a non-spoken countdown. We have been doing things we think will, hopefully, make us feel better when we miss him and to make his last few days as happy as we can. We have taken hundreds of pictures and videos to capture his goofiness and personality. We cemented his paw prints for a frame. We have taken him on his favorite hikes and have given him more food than ever.

Today, as I was driving to train a client at the gym, it felt like there was a lead stone in my stomach, and I could feel my heart breaking just thinking about saying goodbye to him. I thought about how unimaginable it would feel to lose a child. I mean, after all, I feel like this and he is only my dog!

And then it hit me like a ton of bricks how God must have felt. God knew exactly what was going to happen to His son before Jesus was even born. He knew the physical suffering that Jesus was going to have to endure in order for His plan to work. And He had to stand by and watch as Jesus was brutalized, when He could have immediately stopped it. But God loved us all so much that He allowed it to happen so that each one of us can obtain eternal salvation.

How great a love that is!

How blessed are we all to be recipients of that love? To have someone to turn to for all things and have Him carry us through the tough times, whatever they may be. I know I can never thank Him enough.

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.