At times we have all said to someone who says that although they have prayed for something to happen and it has not, that of course God provides what we need not particularly what we want, implying that our prayer has been for more or substantially different to what God realises we need. However can we paws(sic) to consider that maybe God can give us more than what we say we want realising that what we really need may in fact be more than we prayed for.
When our part-owned chocolate labrador Charlie died in May 2016 Wendy and I felt that within the next few months we would like to have another dog. Being long time supporters of the Guide Dogs and knowing that they had dogs who didn’t quite make it as well as ones who retired we decided we would apply to adopt one of these but look for a black one as there were unlikely to be any chocolate ones. We were told that this could be a long process and that as applications only lasted six months we also went on to the register of the Labrador Rescue( North West) after speaking to someone who had adopted from them. Nothing happened as the Guide Dogs did not contact and any suitable rescue ones were quickly offered a new home by someone else. Then with Wendy having to undergo knee and foot surgery the whole process was put on hold.
Early in May we decided to update the search and reapplied, having to again register to be able to view the dogs on offer with the Rescue organisation. I reapplied on Tuesday and on Wednesday had the long telephone vetting conversation to see if we were still acceptable being told that we would be informed when we could re-access the website. On Friday afternoon a chance conversation with a Debenhams sales assistant inspired us to try the website where we saw Bella, a six year old chocolate labrador looking for a home. We rang up to express an interest and were told that there was a long list and that if we did not hear over the weekend to accept that we had not been successful. This seemed to be a closed door. However a miracle happened and less than two hours later a call came to ask if we could go over to Chorley the following day at 2.00 pm. to see and possibly collect Bella. We agreed immediately and as they say the rest is history as Bella is just like Charlie but smaller.
Obviously on this occasion God knew more than we did what was best for us and the dog. He knew that in May of this year Bella would need a new home as her owners would become too ill to care for her so last year He made sure we were unsuccessful in our attempts. Do you believe this; we certainly do and feel this is an example of God providing not only what we really needed but just as importantly what Bella would need. In less than a month she has become a well-loved and indispensable member of our family being equally loved by our grandsons and especially a fantastic replacement as far as Lucas is concerned because he is convinced that Bella and Charlie are somehow related. We give grateful thanks to God for prayers answered in greater abundance than we asked for.
