I had only planned to work for a couple of hours, but before I knew it, the day was over. I gathered my things and headed to the car, checking my phone as I walked. That’s when I noticed several missed calls from my husband, which made me anxious.
I had barely sat in the car when David called again. I could hear the frustration in his voice when I answered.
“Honey, what is Peanut doing out of the house?”
Confusion set in. Peanut, my emotional support dog of eight years, and my other dog are always inside unless I am walking them on a leash. I couldn’t wrap my head around how Peanut could be outside.
David explained that a man had rung our Ring doorbell, which allows us to see and talk to whoever is at our front door—even when we aren’t home. David answered the doorbell on his phone and saw a man standing there holding Peanut.
The man explained that he had found her and knew where she belonged because he recognized her from our walks in the neighborhood.
I managed to keep it together until David told me this had happened hours earlier. That’s why he’d been blowing up my phone.
Panic surged through me.
“Did you get his phone number? Do you know where he lives? Did he say he was coming back?” I asked David.
No. No. No.
Fear gripped me. I couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing my sweet Peanut again.
I went home, prepared to canvass the neighborhood. But before I even got out of the car, a couple of kids approached me and asked, “Are you looking for your dog?”
I told them yes.
“I’m gonna go tell our dad. He has your dog,” one of the kids said as he sprinted toward the apartment complex across the street.
Minutes later, a man appeared with Peanut. She ran toward me the moment she saw me. I picked her up and sobbed into her fur.
I thanked the man repeatedly, asked his name, and offered him money as a reward for returning my precious girl.
His response left me speechless.
“No need for any of that, Ma’am. My name is Jacob, and I’m just doing the Lord’s work. When I saw her running loose, God helped me remember seeing you with her. I’m happy she’s back in your arms. You have a nice day, and God bless you.”
And with that, he turned and walked across the street with his kids in tow. I’ve not seen him again since.
Losing Peanut would have devastated me. The Lord showed me such kindness that day, providing help through a stranger who was simply doing the Lord’s work.
Have you ever felt a similar surge of panic when life spins out of control or when something precious seems lost?
In those moments, remember this truth: God sees you. He knows every detail of your life, and He cares deeply about what matters to you. Just as He guided Jacob to return Peanut, He is working in ways you can’t always see.
Luke 12:6–7 (NIV) says, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Through this experience, I realized how true those words are. God cared about my fear, my tears, and even my little dog.
Friend, if God remembers sparrows, how much more will He remember you?
You are worth more than many sparrows. The One who counts the hairs on your head will never lose sight of you. You are never forgotten.
CONSIDER
When something precious feels lost, where do you turn first—panic or prayer?
Can you recall a time when God showed His care for you in a small but personal way?
How might God use you to do His work and help someone today?
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Christina Kimbrel develops content for use on VL’s many platforms. Once incarcerated, she now ministers hope to those held captive by their past and current circumstances while sharing the message of healing she found in Jesus.
