When we moved from Idaho to Tennessee, we chose to ship our vehicles. The distance was over 1800 miles, meaning at least a twenty-seven-hour car-drive, and trying to drive three cars separately sounded like a nightmare. I’m good for maybe an hour and then I get sleepy. Pulling over every hour to wake-up would have taken me about a month to make the journey.

Sweet hubby flew in June to begin his new job. Our house sold in July and a flight was booked for me, our son, and the dog. Unfortunately, our dog was too big to join us in the cabin, and the airline wouldn’t allow pets to fly if the temperature was over a certain temperature. So, we had to book our little dog on a separate flight.

Chipper had to be locked in an approved dog-shipping crate and taken to the air freight office in the morning on the day we were leaving Idaho. He could have food and water, but for his own safety he would not be let out until he arrived in Tennessee. We couldn’t even give him a calming medication even though he would have two flights before he reached our new home. We prayed for him and the man assured us he would be fine.

Unfortunately, Chipper’s flight was delayed. When we were finally able to pick him up that night in Tennessee, we gently removed him from the crate and cuddled him, but he didn’t even acknowledge our presence. He just stared with a thousand-yard stare

Our son responded for the dog, “I’ve seen some things, man!”

I can’t imagine what our little furry friend had encountered on his trip, but as soon as we took him outside, his tail went up and a bounce returned to his step. Whatever he went through, he knew he was safe with his family. He didn’t seem to have any adverse repercussions from the flights, and now when we leave the house and return, we find him asleep in his crate.

What could have been a place with bad memories actually is his place of refuge.

We’ve all “seen some things.” We all have something in our past we would rather forget and wish didn’t happen. We can’t change the past, however with our Heavenly Father’s help we can overcome our past. God takes the negatives and turns them into positives, for nothing is impossible for God.

Whatever we’ve “seen” or endured, God is our refuge. With His grace, compassion, comfort, and love, we find healing, restoration, and renewal.

Please read the following verses and allow God’s comfort for your hurting soul.

“He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” ~ Psalm 23:3 (NKJV)

“The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.” ~ Psalm 9:9 (NKJV)

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” ~ Psalm 23:4 (NKJV)

“In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.” ~ Psalm 94:19 (NKJV)

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” ~ Psalm 84:11 (NKJV)

“He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.” ~ Psalm 111:4 (NKJV)

“Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.” ~ Psalm 62:8 (NKJV)

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” ~ Psalm 91:2 (NKJV)

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” ~ 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NKJV)

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” ~ Revelation 21:4 (NKJV)

From The Unnamed Devotional by Lisa Buffaloe