Goodbye, Sparky

"Mom! I don't want Sparky to leave!" exclaimed Sarah. "He's part of our family." Sparky was a service dog, and they had been fostering and training him until he was ready to leave and be rehomed. "Please let him stay," Sarah begged. "Why can't we keep him?"Mom gently held her daughter's hand. Sparky's soft brown eyes looked up at them both. He sat down beside them, wagging his tail, sensing they were troubled."I'm sorry, sweetheart, but no, we can't keep him. Sparky is a very special dog with an important job to do. We've been blessed to have him with us, but it's time for him to move on and be a blessing to someone who needs his help. Sarah stormed up to her bedroom. Sparky followed. Hugging him, she sobbed and said, "I'm going to miss you so much. I'll always love you." Then she whispered a prayer. "Dear Jesus, please help me do this." When James, the dog handler in charge, came to collect Sparky the next morning, Sarah's eyes were stinging and red."It's okay to cry," said James. "I know you're heartbroken about losing Sparky. You and your mom have done a wonderful job looking after him. Now, by letting him go, you're helping a blind man who needs him. Sparky will change his life, and you'll be free to foster and train another dog for someone else who needs help."Tears streaming down her face, Sarah waved goodbye to Sparky as he left.Once inside, Mom hugged her. "I'm so proud of you. You've been brave and unselfish. I know how difficult this is for you, but your sacrifice has given a man hope." Mom smiled at her. "That's like what Jesus did for us. He made a much bigger sacrifice when He died on the cross so we could have the hope of eternal life with Him.""I prayed and asked Him to help me do this, and He did," said Sarah. "But it still hurts." She dried her eyes. "Can we pray for Sparky and the blind man?"Mom nodded, and as they prayed, Sarah's heart was at peace. Even though letting go of Sparky was difficult, she knew Jesus would use him to help someone in need.-Cindy Lee