It was December 2012 when me and David were getting ready to spend our first Christmas together in our own home as husband and wife. We got our first Christmas tree and other decorations for the house but something was missing.
I told my Mom and Dad that I didn’t have a nativity set to display the true meaning of Christmas and the next day my Dad showed up at my door with a nativity snow globe and said it was a start. It had the year 2012 on the front and played the song silent night, the glitter sparkled when it was shook. I loved it! I kept it in my china cabinet so that I could enjoy it all year long.
Fast forward 10 years to April 2022. The seal busted on the snow globe and water started leaking out everywhere. It sat in the kitchen sink for about a month until Monday morning (May 29th 2022) I sat it on the porch because it was taking too long to empty.
That same night we took our dog Charlie to the emergency vet. He was bleeding internally and there was nothing anyone could do except end his suffering sooner. We decided it was time to let him go and that night (after midnight) we said goodbye to Charlie.
When I opened the door Tuesday morning the snow globe was empty. The month and year we got the snow globe was the same month and year Charlie was born. And like the sparkle in Charlie’s eyes the glitter in the snow globe sparkled no more.
I stood there staring at the empty snow globe when I heard the Holy Spirit whisper to me, ” like the water trapped in the globe so was Charlie trapped in his body.”
Peace fell over me as I realized water is more useful when it flows and gives life to those who thirst for more. Charlie’s spirit was done here and thirsted for more. The seal broke him free from his suffering just like when Jesus broke free from the tomb to end ours. Isn’t it amazing how God can use a broken snow globe to share his peace, love, and understanding?
Charlie suffered his whole life from epilepsy and needed constant daily care. He was one of the best dogs I had the pleasure of knowing. I think about him everyday and how God used him to teach me how beautiful it can be to let go.
