Against my advisement, our oldest son adopted a dog yesterday. It wasn’t that he isn’t old enough or responsible enough to own a dog. It wasn’t even that I thought he wouldn’t make a good dog owner. I just felt that owning a dog at this point in his life would make things more complicated.

He did it anyway.

The dog he adopted came from one of the hurricane sights. He lived with a foster family before Carter got him, and he had only met Carter a couple of times. He was shy and skittish – no wonder with all he had been through – but Carter felt a connection with him and was really looking forward to getting him home.

The pup (a one year-old mixed breed) sat on my son’s lap the whole way home, but as soon as Carter opened the car door, he bolted. Hours later with many of us to help, the dog continued to hide in the woods across a busy highway, only darting out occasionally. As darkness fell we all felt hopeless – and Carter was devastated.

I prayed that God would keep the little guy safe through the night – safe from predators and safe from cars on the road. I prayed that God would bring him home. I prayed for my son’s heart.

Three of us (Carter’s girlfriend, my cousin, and myself) had dreams that he came home. When Carter called first thing in the morning, I was both hopeful and anxious to hear what he had to report.

“Mom, he came home!”

“I dreamed he did!”

“So did Livi! And he did. I left my car door open all night and he slept in the car. He was there when I came out this morning.”

And once again, I am overwhelmed by the kindness of my God. He cares about the things we care about and He loves to show us His love. He gave us dreams of goodness and peace to reassure our hearts and he brought that little dog home for Carter to love and care for.

Will this little creature make my son’s life more complicated? Yes, he already has. But he will also enrich his life and teach him about love on a different level. Perhaps Carter will even learn more about the amazing love his Heavenly Father has for him.

And Carter had already decided to name his dog Chance…

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23