In this and future blog posts I will be introducing you to the four dogs pictured in the image above, who are the main characters in Tails of Grace and Mercy: Ayla, Grace, Sadie and Joy. Each of these dogs represents a characteristic of God and the lessons learned during the time they walked beside me in my journey from brokenness to wholeness: Grace, Mercy Joy and Comfort. I will begin today with Ayla. In this grainy image She was ten and I was thirty six.

Comfort: Ayla

This beautiful blond hair, blue eyed girl came into my life in 1980, when I was 26. I was very lonely and in need of a comforting friend. During the eleven years that Ayla was with me, we literally walked and ran thousands of miles together, often stopping along the path where I would cry out in desperation and heartache. Her beautiful warm fur, soaked up the many tears I shed and those that lingered on my face she lovingly licked away. Her soft paws and comforting presence, provided a safe place, where I would reach into the loving arms of God, the greatest source of comfort. Once I’d had a good cry, she would wag her tail, nudge me to get up, and as I did, I swear she’d smile. Oh, how she made me laugh!

Where do you find yourself today? Are you living under a cloud of heartache and loneliness as I did for so many years? If that is the case, it is my prayer that through these blog posts you too may turn to the loving arms of The God of All Comfort. Please know that you are not alone. There is hope! I urge you to cry out to God and He promises to hear you.

Tune in next time as I introduce you to Grace, The Dog of My Peace. Blessings, Mary

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NKJV

What gives you hope?