Caring for Chipper

Lilly loved volunteering at the animal shelter with Granddaddy in the summer. Chipper was her new favorite rescue dog. Every Saturday they came to walk, bathe, feed, and play with him.Lilly brushed the knots out of Chipper's fur. "Hold still, Chipper!" she said. "There. He's ready for his bath. Do you have another dog treat?" Lilly asked her grandfather."Oops, they're all gone. Let me find some more," Granddaddy said.Lilly hoped Granddaddy could find more treats. She thought about her empty fridge at home.Granddaddy returned with a small bag in his hand. "Found some.""Oh good. I don't want him to starve." Lilly's stomach rumbled."Sounds like someone else is hungry," Granddaddy said as he put Chipper into the bathtub. "I'm okay." Lilly sighed. She remembered Mommy said they wouldn't have much this month. Mommy had to work two jobs now that Daddy left. Would they have everything they need?"Did you know that God takes care of all the animals, even Chipper?" asked Granddaddy. He smiled at Lilly's questioning look. "God gives the birds worms to eat. He gives them trees and barns to live in. And he gave Chipper you!""He did. I love Chipper so much!" Lilly said as she rinsed the suds out of Chipper's fur."Did you know God loves you even more than you love Chipper?""He does?""He sure does. God gave us His Son, Jesus, so we could be saved from sin, and He wants to take care of you. I know things have been hard this month, Lilly. But don't worry. God gave you Mommy and me to take care of you because He loves you. God also gives us people who help by bringing food to share with others, like at church and food pantries.""God gave us people to share their food?" Lilly turned off the water."That's right! He takes care of us because He loves us so much."Chipper jumped out of the bathtub and shook. Water flew all over Lilly and Granddaddy.Lilly laughed. "And I love taking care of Chipper!" –Jennifer Wilson