Barbara Preston, member of the body of Christ
For several weeks one of my dogs practically stopped eating. I was very concerned about him knowing his loss of appetite was a bad sign especially since he is a very small dog and can't afford to lose much weight. Also he is 15 years old which is close to the end of the expected life span for his breed.
At a certain point I realized I was going to have to take him to the vet. I explained to the vet his situation. She ran a number of tests on him and did a X-ray. She saw some things which concerned her in his bloodwork and X-ray but nothing definitive about what was causing his appetite loss.
She said she did see some infection and gave him an antibiotic shot but didn't seem to think the infection was the cause of his loss of appetite. She seemed to think that the loss of appetite was possibly caused by something more serious after looking at his test results.
She suggested redoing these tests in two weeks to look for any changes which might give her a better idea of what was wrong and possibly do an ultrasound, if needed, to be able to find out what specifically is causing his lack of appetite.
At that moment this made sense to me so I made a two week follow up appt. and left.
During this two week period of time I was praying asking God what I should do. The more I talked to God about it the more I came to believe that I should cancel his appointment and not have these tests redone.
While talking to God I also came to realize that I didn't want to know if he had cancer, liver failure, or anything else seriously wrong that would be fatal to him. So I cancelled his follow up appointment.
Since then his appetite is better, at least some days, and I am not worried now about him starving himself.
Most importantly he doesn't seem to be in any pain. For me that is the thing that lets me know when it is time to let go.
Mainly I am thankful that, as we go through life, we always have God to turn to when we don't know what to do, no matter what the situation or problem may be.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
At a certain point I realized I was going to have to take him to the vet. I explained to the vet his situation. She ran a number of tests on him and did a X-ray. She saw some things which concerned her in his bloodwork and X-ray but nothing definitive about what was causing his appetite loss.
She said she did see some infection and gave him an antibiotic shot but didn't seem to think the infection was the cause of his loss of appetite. She seemed to think that the loss of appetite was possibly caused by something more serious after looking at his test results.
She suggested redoing these tests in two weeks to look for any changes which might give her a better idea of what was wrong and possibly do an ultrasound, if needed, to be able to find out what specifically is causing his lack of appetite.
At that moment this made sense to me so I made a two week follow up appt. and left.
During this two week period of time I was praying asking God what I should do. The more I talked to God about it the more I came to believe that I should cancel his appointment and not have these tests redone.
While talking to God I also came to realize that I didn't want to know if he had cancer, liver failure, or anything else seriously wrong that would be fatal to him. So I cancelled his follow up appointment.
Since then his appetite is better, at least some days, and I am not worried now about him starving himself.
Most importantly he doesn't seem to be in any pain. For me that is the thing that lets me know when it is time to let go.
Mainly I am thankful that, as we go through life, we always have God to turn to when we don't know what to do, no matter what the situation or problem may be.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
***
Comments from Pam Padgett, member of the body of Christ
Sometimes I marvel in how God completely changes our direction when we turn to HIM, for HE knows what is best for us and for all involved.
I understand medical people wanting to get more information through tests when they don't know what to do.
But we know that God knows exactly what is going on in the matter as well as what is needed so that neither we nor others impacted go through more than necessary. By simply turning to God, and going in the way we are shown by HIM, we land up going in the best way in the situation.
So glad Bodhi (Barbara's dog) is eating a little better and there is no apparent pain.
==
Also, this reminds me a little of last summer when the vet here was concerned over Gus' liver. (Gus is one of my dogs.) The vet prescribed some medicine for a month. After a month, there was still a problem so the vet wanted to have an ultra-sound done.
I understand medical people wanting to get more information through tests when they don't know what to do.
But we know that God knows exactly what is going on in the matter as well as what is needed so that neither we nor others impacted go through more than necessary. By simply turning to God, and going in the way we are shown by HIM, we land up going in the best way in the situation.
So glad Bodhi (Barbara's dog) is eating a little better and there is no apparent pain.
==
Also, this reminds me a little of last summer when the vet here was concerned over Gus' liver. (Gus is one of my dogs.) The vet prescribed some medicine for a month. After a month, there was still a problem so the vet wanted to have an ultra-sound done.
Interestingly, I had been strongly led to pray for wisdom in making any needed decisions before going to the vet that day.
The vet gave lots of information about Gus' situation and, as I started considering what she said, it was like I could see the path to take, and it was a clear path, cutting through all the information given ... to keep Gus on the medicine for another month and not do an ultra-sound at this time.
After another month his liver was much better and more in-depth tests were not brought up again.
Like you, Barbara, I'm so glad we can turn to God for wisdom in whatever we're dealing with.
HE leads us is the best way to go.
And I'm reminded that God's yoke is easy and HIS burden is light. (Matthew 11:30)
After another month his liver was much better and more in-depth tests were not brought up again.
Like you, Barbara, I'm so glad we can turn to God for wisdom in whatever we're dealing with.
HE leads us is the best way to go.
And I'm reminded that God's yoke is easy and HIS burden is light. (Matthew 11:30)
***
Further comments from Barbara Preston...
It does make life so much easier for us and for those affected by our decisions when we turn to God for help, and it makes me smile when I think about HIS love for us.
When I knew to cancel Bodhi's recheck appointment and not to be concerned about pursuing what was causing his lack of appetite, it felt like a weight had been lifted off me! So I knew this was from God.
One last thing about Bodhi, earlier today he walked over to where I normally keep his food bowl and started sniffing and looking around. He was acting like he does when he is hungry so I went and fixed him a bowl of his food.
At first he acted like he wasn't interested, but when I looked back down at his bowl a little later, he was licking it clean!
His appetite is definitely improving. And I am so thankful to God for HIS wisdom in this.
💥💥💥💥💥