Six years ago, I was
watching one of my grandsons play football on a late Saturday afternoon. My
cell phone rang. It was Peggy. She and my granddaughter had been out shopping
and "happened" to stop by the county animal shelter. Our granddaughter's
family had gotten a cute "Benji" type dog from there. Peggy was
curious as to what they had available. The conversation that ensued on the
phone went something like this: "Audrey and I stopped by the animal
shelter and we found a dog just like "Buddy". Another lady wants it
but she does not have the money. I do. Can I have it it?"
Not really in the market
for another dog at that time, the best answer I could come up with, hearing the
pleading tone in Peggy's voice, was, "Whatever!."
When I arrived home, Peggy
was in the backyard busily shaving the forlorn looking animal. I was not a
"happy camper." I told Peggy, "I am sure someday I will come to
like this dog, but right now I am not thrilled about the decision to bring home
a dog without my checking it out first."
Fast forward six years…I love our
"Missy" as if it were our child!
She is a mix, we
think, of West Highland Terrier and Cairn terrier. I
am absolutely "goofy" about this dog! She has captured my heart and
brought us worlds of pleasure.
Yesterday, I received an e-mail video of
our friend's daughter arriving at an adoption center in China to meet their
newly adopted daughter, Lucy Love ____. (Keeping it anonymous) What a beautiful
moment! You could see the joy and love in the faces of this new mom and "Lucy's"
big sister as they began to bring this child into their family.
You know, these two stories of adoption are
somehow different and yet the same.
In Missy's case, the love for her was
readily apparent from the start in Peggy's case. For me, it took a little
while. In Lucy Love's case, the love was there even before the family met her,
as they traveled thousands of miles and spent thousands of dollars to adopt
her, not to mention the emotional investment. In both cases, there is a deep
love now resident in the lives of all involved.
There is another story of love and adoption
that is truly shocking. Before time began, the Creator of the Universe
adopted those of us that now call Him our Lord and Savior to be His children!
The most amazing thing about our adoption is the absolute unconditional love
that God showed us that, "While we
were sinners, God gave His Son to die for us." "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." ( Eph.1:4,5) WOW! What love! He did not even have to get used
to us. He loved us from the start!
·
Continued
meeting with individual men for counseling and encouragement.
·
The
Friday Morning Group finished the discussion of the book; "Proof of Heaven." It provoked some very lively discussion. We
will have a guest speaker for the first two weeks of August. Warren Herron will
speak on "Science and Religion."
After that, we will begin the book, "Blink"
by Malcolm Gladwell, author of "The
Tipping Point" and "Outliers"
These books are always used as launching points to discuss how our faith in
Christ intersects with everyday life.
Guys, we would love for you to join us on
Friday Mornings. We meet at 7:00 at Marietta Country Club in the Men's Grill.
If you have questions, please call me at 678-986-4814.
We are
so very grateful for your friendship, encouragement, prayers and support We
cannot do what we do without you. God bless you for mmaking possible this
ministry to men and their families.
Buck and the Net Work Board of Directors
Buck and the Net Work Board of Directors
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