April 1, 2025 • 16 mins
A chance encounter at an animal shelter forever changed my family's life when an elegant stranger—like someone from a Gene Kelly movie—decided to adopt a dog for us. Despite all my explanations of why we couldn't take a dog home, this mysterious "fairy dogmother" completed the adoption process and even offered to pay for a year of insurance. My son cried with joy while I remained in shock.
What began as a "sleepover" for this unexpected pet gradually revealed itself as something more profound. The "coincidences" kept mounting: the dog shared my birthday, had only been in the shelter for a day after his elderly owner had to move to senior living, and seemed to fit perfectly into our lives despite my hesitation.
After 30 days of what we called "fostering," our family made the decision to keep him permanently. This journey through pet loss, grief, and unexpected joy reminded me of the verse that's carried me through many seasons: "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11). Sometimes blessings arrive in the most unexpected packages, and when life feels surreal, remember there are no accidents in God's plans.
Whatever challenges you're facing—loss, fear, change, uncertainty—remain open to the possibility that something beautiful may be waiting just around the corner. Have you experienced a "God thing" that changed your life? I'd love to hear your story! Connect with me on Facebook at Holly's Highlights or Instagram at Holly Curby and share your unexpected blessings.
Visit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi friends, welcome back to Holly's Highlights.
Today's episode is one that hasbeen heavy on my heart, one of
those to do or not to do.
It's about loss, unexpectedblessings and a lot of
serendipity, or, as I like tocall it, god things.
It's the story of how someonecame into our lives when we
least expected it and how, inthe midst of so much change, we
(00:22):
found a new beginning.
I know a lot of you havefollowed my journey with my
family, even those with our pets, so today I'm going to share
some personal stories.
There's heartache, but alsohope, and I'm hoping that by the
end of this episode you'll seehow sometimes life just has a
way of surprising us just whenwe need it the most.
So sit back, grab your favoritedrink and let me take you
(00:43):
through this unexpected journey.
Now let's go back to my growingup, when my heart felt like it
would never fully heal Becauseour family dog, pepper, who we
all adored, was tragically hitby a car.
It was a typical afternoon andPepper, our little poodle, had
just been let outside to go tothe bathroom.
Now we didn't have a fencedyard, but that had never been a
(01:04):
concern, as Pepper had neverstrayed until this day Now, I
was out with some friends at apizza parlor when I suddenly had
just that gut feeling that Ineeded to get home.
Now, keep in mind, this ispre-cell phone days, or at least
I didn't have one.
I think I only had one friendin my friend group that had a
cell phone, so I rushed home, asthe feeling was just really
(01:25):
heavy upon me.
I remember getting home and myparents informing me that Pepper
had just disappeared.
I'll never forget, though, thatfeeling that led me down many
streets, from our tucked awayhome down to a busy street
nowhere near our house.
Now, a man was standing in adriveway near the busy road and
he asked if there was somethinghe could help me find, and I
(01:45):
told him of our dog goingmissing, and suddenly his face
just went somber.
He then proceeded to tell methat he thinks there was some
commotion earlier about a drivernot having the patience to wait
behind another car swerving andhitting a dog.
I ran across the busy street tofind Pepper laying there, yet
(02:05):
still faintly breathing.
I scooped him up in my arms andI returned to that man's garage
, since it was so close, and heproceeded to call the vet and
then call my parents.
As I waited for help to come, Icradled Pepper in my arms and I
remember seeing Jesus loves meas he passed away in my arms,
(02:27):
and I remember singing JesusLoves Me as he passed away.
I can still feel his weight andthe helplessness that washed
over me.
Pepper had been a part of ourfamily for 17 years.
We were the same age and mybrother reminded me constantly
that my parents received atwo-for-one deal Buy a dog, get
a free baby.
So the sudden loss of Pepperwas just something I don't think
we were ever fully prepared for.
Now, eight years later, I wasnow married and coming upon our
(02:51):
one-year anniversary when mythen-husband and I decided to
get a dog for our firstanniversary gift to each other.
Oh the joy this little puppy,who would grow to be a
surprising 135-pound goldennoodle, would bring to our lives
.
That is until just a short sixyears later we would learn our
precious Dakota had bone cancer.
(03:11):
Now being our firstborn andthankful for doggy insurance.
We fought that good fight, ashe was treated with chemotherapy
and traveled to a specialist inColorado to try and help him.
Yet despite everything we didto fight, dakota's time came too
soon.
Again, I was there holdingDakota and singing Jesus loves
(03:32):
me to him as he took his finalbreath.
Now, losing Dakota wasdevastating, but it also
reminded me of the love and thebond that we share with our pets
.
They're not just animals,they're family.
So fast forward another 15 yearswhen, just after losing my
mother to glioblastoma braincancer, my dad decided it was
time he got a new dog.
(03:53):
He adopted George, a littleChihuahua named after a giraffe.
On our last trip with my dad,my mom and me and my kids to
Disney World and he adopted thisdog from the local Humane
Society George quickly became abeacon of light in a house that
had been so full of grief.
George helped my dad heal, andwatching their relationship grow
(04:17):
really helped all of us too, inways that we didn't even expect
.
Now, as you're all caught up onour furry friends, I introduce
you to a moment that seemed sosurreal to me that I believe it
was a total God thing.
See, my son has had some strangeallergies throughout his life,
one of them being allergies todogs, and although he has always
(04:37):
desperately wanted one despiteallergies, I've known that we
need to wait off until just theright time.
I've often gotten him testedand retested again, per his
request, to see if he hadoutgrown all these allergies and
a couple of other allergies.
He had outgrown all theseallergies and a couple of other
allergies he had outgrown.
So he really was hopeful forthis.
But then he also kept providingme facts his lack of breakouts
(04:59):
or reactions to dogs as he wasgetting older, because he was
exposed to many dogs, whether itbe dogs at friends' houses he
would go visit, or even familydogs.
We have Chewy Trigger, maggieKikli, coco Opal, gus, chloe
Pike.
They're all scatteredthroughout my siblings' and my
nephews' homes.
And he specifically commentedhow he never reacts to my dad's
(05:22):
dog George.
Now, although his case studiespresented were in fact true, I
just wasn't ready for anaddition of a dog Now.
I could squirrel on a path hereas to why I had many reasons
for it.
I love my dad's dog George.
I don't do change.
Well, having a dog felt like afinancial and time burden and
just many what ifs.
You know the what ifs of whatif he destroys our home?
(05:44):
What if we don't have someoneto watch him when we go on trips
?
I didn't want to be houseboundall the time.
I like to travel and just havesurprise moments with my
children.
Trust me, I had the excuseslined up.
I figured once my children weregrown I may need to eventually
get one out of just purecompanionship, but not anytime
soon.
Well, because we didn't have adog yet, I knew my son's heart's
(06:07):
desire to have one, so I oftenhave taken my son to the local
humane society to look at thedogs.
He would simply choose one thathe wanted to take for a walk or
go into the caged area and letloose, and they just kind of run
around together and play.
That was it.
Thanks to a short day at school, though, and a recent news
coverage that some of the dogsfrom the California fires
(06:28):
recently were brought to adifferent pet shelter here that
we had never been to, Ilast-minutely asked him if he
wanted to try this new shelterafter school.
Now, of course it was a givenhe did so.
Long story short, that shelterwas a major disappointment, and
in an effort to kill time beforeswinging by the chiropractor
who just happens to be in thesame area as the regular shelter
(06:50):
we'd visit again roughly once aperiod or so, my son easily
convinced me to detour to theHumane Society.
Never would we have everimagined what would happen next.
After walking a little boxterrier mix, we were returning
it to its kennel when a womanapproached us.
Now she was mesmerizing herbright red lipstick and graceful
(07:12):
stance I swear she just steppedout of a Gene Kelly movie.
She started chatting with usnothing extraordinary, just
casual conversation.
She asked why we chose not toadopt today, especially with all
those around us who seemedreally interested in this one
little dog that we had justwalked Now.
I, of course, had many excuseswhich easily flowed from my
tongue.
Had just walked Now.
I of course had many excuseswhich easily flowed from my
(07:34):
tongue.
But then, out of nowhere, shetold us I'm going to do it Now.
Thinking she was going to adoptthis little dog elated me.
I truly was so excited for heruntil she replied I'm going to
adopt the dog for you, just likethat.
Something had prompted her toadopt this dog for us and I
suddenly found myself speechless, which is something that I hear
(07:54):
is hard to do.
Now my son started crying withjoy, and tears honestly ran down
my face, as I was just in uttershock at this woman's kindness,
yet also in complete disbeliefin what was happening.
Okay, next thing I know.
We're going from station tostation getting information and
signing up for insurance andreceiving a bag full of
provisions for the pup, whichthe lady had urged the workers
(08:16):
to put together complimentary.
And then they brought the dogout to us After a quick photo
and, still in complete shock,this woman asked if she could
walk us to our car.
Now I must add here that manytimes over I told this woman the
dog would very likely bereturning to the shelter the
next day.
As if we were ever going tobring a dog into our home, I'd
want my daughter's input andinvolvement.
(08:37):
She just smiled at me and sogenerously said you do what you
feel is best for your family,but I feel this dog will be
staying and when he does I'dlike to help with the dog's
insurance for the year.
What it was like?
A light bulb went off in myhead and I felt God was saying
this is it, these are your signs.
(08:58):
So, without a second thought, Itold the dog say thank you to
your fairy godmother.
Now, as my son and the dog and Idrove off, I gently was telling
my son to think of this as asleepover, that we were not
keeping this dog, that is,unless my daughter, for some
reason, was fully in on it.
Well, we drove straight to mydaughter, who was at a softball
(09:19):
practice at the time, as I wasreally deeply concerned of
letting her know what had justhappened.
I wasn't really even sure whathad just happened myself.
I assured her adopting a dogwas the last thing I expected.
There was no planning, noforesight, it just happened.
I was still in a daze and I hadso many emotions running
through my body.
(09:40):
Now the plan was to have thedog overnight and then maybe a
weekend, but as the days passed,we found ourselves with this
dog in our home for a week, thentwo weeks, and then we had a
family meeting to discusswhether or not we even wanted to
keep him.
Now I was still hesitant.
I was scared of the change.
I was worried about how itwould affect the dynamics of our
(10:00):
home and, let's be honest, Iwas concerned about the
financial costs.
Pets are expensive and I am notin a position to add to the
expense.
But here's the thing it didn'tfeel like just a random series
of events.
At one of the adoption stations, we learned the dog's birthday
was shared with mine.
At another station, we learned.
The dog had only been in theshelter for basically a day or
(10:22):
so, as his owner was an oldergentleman who had to move into a
senior living center and hecouldn't take the dog with him.
Of course, this utterlyoverloaded my empathetic heart
as I thought about my dad andhis little George and how
devastating that must be thatthat man and his little dog had
to separate.
Suddenly it felt like God wasorchestrating something bigger,
(10:43):
and I didn't want to admit it,but the way this dog came into
our lives felt like it was meantto be.
Now I still didn't know if thatwas a time of transition where
we were to love on this dogthrough this time of heartache
for him, or if we were to be hisforever home where he could
continue to receive so much lovethat me and my children have to
offer.
So, after a lot of thought andever so much prayer, 30 days
(11:09):
after we called fostering thedog, we decided as a family to
keep him.
Now, a few days later, thethree of us my kids and I went
shopping for the dog.
With the dog, we got him theessentials the food and dishes
and toys and even a toothbrush.
The whole experience felt likea new chapter.
I'm not going to lie.
It wasn't easy for me to accept.
(11:30):
Change is hard, but I'velearned that sometimes God
doesn't send us the answers inthe way we expect.
He works in mysterious ways.
So what's the moral of thestory here?
Sometimes we go through seasonsof grief, loss, change, even
fear, and we're so focused onwhat we don't have that we don't
(11:52):
see the blessings that areright in front of us.
And just when we think we'renot ready for something new, god
has a way of bringing us whatwe need.
The truth is, the dog weadopted was a God thing, perhaps
a blessing we didn't expect,but perhaps needed.
Now.
This is still new and I'm stilladapting, so bear with me as I
(12:13):
cautiously yet optimisticallyapproach all of this.
That's the action item Ichallenge each of us today.
Look for the unexpectedblessings in your life.
It might not always look likewhat you imagined, but I promise
you it's there when things feelsurreal.
Remember that life has a way ofsurprising us when we least
(12:33):
expect it.
Every twist and turn is part ofa bigger picture, even if we
can't always see it in themoment.
I'd leave you with two quotesthat have stuck with me
throughout life's journey.
The first is from a favoriteauthor of mine, cs Lewis there
are no accidents in God's world.
Nothing can happen without hiswill or his permission.
(12:55):
And the second is from a verseI've clung to during many
seasons in life, and the firstBible verse my daughter
memorized Jeremiah 29, 11.
For I know the plans I have foryou, plans to prosper you, not
to harm you, plans to give youhope and a future.
I think this could probably be achapter addition into my book
(13:17):
facelift, wouldn't you say so?
Whatever you're going throughright now loss, fear,
uncertainty, unknowns, change,or maybe just on the fence about
something in your life Rememberthe answers may not come when
you expect them, but when theydo.
They often arrive in the mostunexpected ways, just like a dog
(13:39):
showing up at just the rightmoment, like a conversation with
a stranger that changeseverything, like a God thing.
Before we close, I want to takea moment to honor the woman who
played a significant role inall of this, the fairy godmother
of our story, as I like to tocall her, who stepped in with
such generosity and care.
Her kindness truly feels like amiracle and I'll always be
(14:03):
grateful for her timing and herheart.
She was the unexpected angelthat we didn't know we needed.
Thank you so much for tuning intoday.
I hope the story resonates withyou and reminds you that
sometimes, when we least expectit, something beautiful can come
from the most difficultsituations.
I'd love to hear your storiesand your thoughts on the episode
.
Or, for those of you curious,what we named the dog?
(14:25):
As of now, it's simply dog.
So if you have a suggestion youneed to get off your chest.
Be sure to reach out onFacebook at Holly's Highlights,
and Instagram at Holly Kirby.
Remember, keep your eyes openfor the God things.
They're out there and untilnext time, take care and keep
looking for those unexpectedblessings in your life.
(14:45):
Thank you for joining me onthis journey of life.
I hope that today's highlighthas been encouraging, inspiring
and equipping so you can go outand live your life full of
purpose.
I'd be honored if you'd take amoment to leave a review or,
better yet, subscribe.
We can also stay in touch byjoining my email list at
(15:07):
hollykirbycom.
That's H-O-L-L-Y, c-u-r-b-y dotcom.
Until next time, make it agreat day for a great day.
Hi friends, welcome back to Holly's Highlights.
Today's episode is one that hasbeen heavy on my heart, one of
those to do or not to do.
It's about loss, unexpectedblessings and a lot of
serendipity, or, as I like tocall it, god things.
It's the story of how someonecame into our lives when we
least expected it and how, inthe midst of so much change, we
(00:22):
found a new beginning.
I know a lot of you havefollowed my journey with my
family, even those with our pets, so today I'm going to share
some personal stories.
There's heartache, but alsohope, and I'm hoping that by the
end of this episode you'll seehow sometimes life just has a
way of surprising us just whenwe need it the most.
So sit back, grab your favoritedrink and let me take you
(00:43):
through this unexpected journey.
Now let's go back to my growingup, when my heart felt like it
would never fully heal Becauseour family dog, pepper, who we
all adored, was tragically hitby a car.
It was a typical afternoon andPepper, our little poodle, had
just been let outside to go tothe bathroom.
Now we didn't have a fencedyard, but that had never been a
(01:04):
concern, as Pepper had neverstrayed until this day Now, I
was out with some friends at apizza parlor when I suddenly had
just that gut feeling that Ineeded to get home.
Now, keep in mind, this ispre-cell phone days, or at least
I didn't have one.
I think I only had one friendin my friend group that had a
cell phone, so I rushed home, asthe feeling was just really
(01:25):
heavy upon me.
I remember getting home and myparents informing me that Pepper
had just disappeared.
I'll never forget, though, thatfeeling that led me down many
streets, from our tucked awayhome down to a busy street
nowhere near our house.
Now, a man was standing in adriveway near the busy road and
he asked if there was somethinghe could help me find, and I
(01:45):
told him of our dog goingmissing, and suddenly his face
just went somber.
He then proceeded to tell methat he thinks there was some
commotion earlier about a drivernot having the patience to wait
behind another car swerving andhitting a dog.
I ran across the busy street tofind Pepper laying there, yet
(02:05):
still faintly breathing.
I scooped him up in my arms andI returned to that man's garage
, since it was so close, and heproceeded to call the vet and
then call my parents.
As I waited for help to come, Icradled Pepper in my arms and I
remember seeing Jesus loves meas he passed away in my arms,
(02:27):
and I remember singing JesusLoves Me as he passed away.
I can still feel his weight andthe helplessness that washed
over me.
Pepper had been a part of ourfamily for 17 years.
We were the same age and mybrother reminded me constantly
that my parents received atwo-for-one deal Buy a dog, get
a free baby.
So the sudden loss of Pepperwas just something I don't think
we were ever fully prepared for.
Now, eight years later, I wasnow married and coming upon our
(02:51):
one-year anniversary when mythen-husband and I decided to
get a dog for our firstanniversary gift to each other.
Oh the joy this little puppy,who would grow to be a
surprising 135-pound goldennoodle, would bring to our lives
.
That is until just a short sixyears later we would learn our
precious Dakota had bone cancer.
(03:11):
Now being our firstborn andthankful for doggy insurance.
We fought that good fight, ashe was treated with chemotherapy
and traveled to a specialist inColorado to try and help him.
Yet despite everything we didto fight, dakota's time came too
soon.
Again, I was there holdingDakota and singing Jesus loves
(03:32):
me to him as he took his finalbreath.
Now, losing Dakota wasdevastating, but it also
reminded me of the love and thebond that we share with our pets
.
They're not just animals,they're family.
So fast forward another 15 yearswhen, just after losing my
mother to glioblastoma braincancer, my dad decided it was
time he got a new dog.
(03:53):
He adopted George, a littleChihuahua named after a giraffe.
On our last trip with my dad,my mom and me and my kids to
Disney World and he adopted thisdog from the local Humane
Society George quickly became abeacon of light in a house that
had been so full of grief.
George helped my dad heal, andwatching their relationship grow
(04:17):
really helped all of us too, inways that we didn't even expect
.
Now, as you're all caught up onour furry friends, I introduce
you to a moment that seemed sosurreal to me that I believe it
was a total God thing.
See, my son has had some strangeallergies throughout his life,
one of them being allergies todogs, and although he has always
(04:37):
desperately wanted one despiteallergies, I've known that we
need to wait off until just theright time.
I've often gotten him testedand retested again, per his
request, to see if he hadoutgrown all these allergies and
a couple of other allergies.
He had outgrown all theseallergies and a couple of other
allergies he had outgrown.
So he really was hopeful forthis.
But then he also kept providingme facts his lack of breakouts
(04:59):
or reactions to dogs as he wasgetting older, because he was
exposed to many dogs, whether itbe dogs at friends' houses he
would go visit, or even familydogs.
We have Chewy Trigger, maggieKikli, coco Opal, gus, chloe
Pike.
They're all scatteredthroughout my siblings' and my
nephews' homes.
And he specifically commentedhow he never reacts to my dad's
(05:22):
dog George.
Now, although his case studiespresented were in fact true, I
just wasn't ready for anaddition of a dog Now.
I could squirrel on a path hereas to why I had many reasons
for it.
I love my dad's dog George.
I don't do change.
Well, having a dog felt like afinancial and time burden and
just many what ifs.
You know the what ifs of whatif he destroys our home?
(05:44):
What if we don't have someoneto watch him when we go on trips
?
I didn't want to be houseboundall the time.
I like to travel and just havesurprise moments with my
children.
Trust me, I had the excuseslined up.
I figured once my children weregrown I may need to eventually
get one out of just purecompanionship, but not anytime
soon.
Well, because we didn't have adog yet, I knew my son's heart's
(06:07):
desire to have one, so I oftenhave taken my son to the local
humane society to look at thedogs.
He would simply choose one thathe wanted to take for a walk or
go into the caged area and letloose, and they just kind of run
around together and play.
That was it.
Thanks to a short day at school, though, and a recent news
coverage that some of the dogsfrom the California fires
(06:28):
recently were brought to adifferent pet shelter here that
we had never been to, Ilast-minutely asked him if he
wanted to try this new shelterafter school.
Now, of course it was a givenhe did so.
Long story short, that shelterwas a major disappointment, and
in an effort to kill time beforeswinging by the chiropractor
who just happens to be in thesame area as the regular shelter
(06:50):
we'd visit again roughly once aperiod or so, my son easily
convinced me to detour to theHumane Society.
Never would we have everimagined what would happen next.
After walking a little boxterrier mix, we were returning
it to its kennel when a womanapproached us.
Now she was mesmerizing herbright red lipstick and graceful
(07:12):
stance I swear she just steppedout of a Gene Kelly movie.
She started chatting with usnothing extraordinary, just
casual conversation.
She asked why we chose not toadopt today, especially with all
those around us who seemedreally interested in this one
little dog that we had justwalked Now.
I, of course, had many excuseswhich easily flowed from my
tongue.
Had just walked Now.
I of course had many excuseswhich easily flowed from my
(07:34):
tongue.
But then, out of nowhere, shetold us I'm going to do it Now.
Thinking she was going to adoptthis little dog elated me.
I truly was so excited for heruntil she replied I'm going to
adopt the dog for you, just likethat.
Something had prompted her toadopt this dog for us and I
suddenly found myself speechless, which is something that I hear
(07:54):
is hard to do.
Now my son started crying withjoy, and tears honestly ran down
my face, as I was just in uttershock at this woman's kindness,
yet also in complete disbeliefin what was happening.
Okay, next thing I know.
We're going from station tostation getting information and
signing up for insurance andreceiving a bag full of
provisions for the pup, whichthe lady had urged the workers
(08:16):
to put together complimentary.
And then they brought the dogout to us After a quick photo
and, still in complete shock,this woman asked if she could
walk us to our car.
Now I must add here that manytimes over I told this woman the
dog would very likely bereturning to the shelter the
next day.
As if we were ever going tobring a dog into our home, I'd
want my daughter's input andinvolvement.
(08:37):
She just smiled at me and sogenerously said you do what you
feel is best for your family,but I feel this dog will be
staying and when he does I'dlike to help with the dog's
insurance for the year.
What it was like?
A light bulb went off in myhead and I felt God was saying
this is it, these are your signs.
(08:58):
So, without a second thought, Itold the dog say thank you to
your fairy godmother.
Now, as my son and the dog and Idrove off, I gently was telling
my son to think of this as asleepover, that we were not
keeping this dog, that is,unless my daughter, for some
reason, was fully in on it.
Well, we drove straight to mydaughter, who was at a softball
(09:19):
practice at the time, as I wasreally deeply concerned of
letting her know what had justhappened.
I wasn't really even sure whathad just happened myself.
I assured her adopting a dogwas the last thing I expected.
There was no planning, noforesight, it just happened.
I was still in a daze and I hadso many emotions running
through my body.
(09:40):
Now the plan was to have thedog overnight and then maybe a
weekend, but as the days passed,we found ourselves with this
dog in our home for a week, thentwo weeks, and then we had a
family meeting to discusswhether or not we even wanted to
keep him.
Now I was still hesitant.
I was scared of the change.
I was worried about how itwould affect the dynamics of our
(10:00):
home and, let's be honest, Iwas concerned about the
financial costs.
Pets are expensive and I am notin a position to add to the
expense.
But here's the thing it didn'tfeel like just a random series
of events.
At one of the adoption stations, we learned the dog's birthday
was shared with mine.
At another station, we learned.
The dog had only been in theshelter for basically a day or
(10:22):
so, as his owner was an oldergentleman who had to move into a
senior living center and hecouldn't take the dog with him.
Of course, this utterlyoverloaded my empathetic heart
as I thought about my dad andhis little George and how
devastating that must be thatthat man and his little dog had
to separate.
Suddenly it felt like God wasorchestrating something bigger,
(10:43):
and I didn't want to admit it,but the way this dog came into
our lives felt like it was meantto be.
Now I still didn't know if thatwas a time of transition where
we were to love on this dogthrough this time of heartache
for him, or if we were to be hisforever home where he could
continue to receive so much lovethat me and my children have to
offer.
So, after a lot of thought andever so much prayer, 30 days
(11:09):
after we called fostering thedog, we decided as a family to
keep him.
Now, a few days later, thethree of us my kids and I went
shopping for the dog.
With the dog, we got him theessentials the food and dishes
and toys and even a toothbrush.
The whole experience felt likea new chapter.
I'm not going to lie.
It wasn't easy for me to accept.
(11:30):
Change is hard, but I'velearned that sometimes God
doesn't send us the answers inthe way we expect.
He works in mysterious ways.
So what's the moral of thestory here?
Sometimes we go through seasonsof grief, loss, change, even
fear, and we're so focused onwhat we don't have that we don't
(11:52):
see the blessings that areright in front of us.
And just when we think we'renot ready for something new, god
has a way of bringing us whatwe need.
The truth is, the dog weadopted was a God thing, perhaps
a blessing we didn't expect,but perhaps needed.
Now.
This is still new and I'm stilladapting, so bear with me as I
(12:13):
cautiously yet optimisticallyapproach all of this.
That's the action item Ichallenge each of us today.
Look for the unexpectedblessings in your life.
It might not always look likewhat you imagined, but I promise
you it's there when things feelsurreal.
Remember that life has a way ofsurprising us when we least
(12:33):
expect it.
Every twist and turn is part ofa bigger picture, even if we
can't always see it in themoment.
I'd leave you with two quotesthat have stuck with me
throughout life's journey.
The first is from a favoriteauthor of mine, cs Lewis there
are no accidents in God's world.
Nothing can happen without hiswill or his permission.
(12:55):
And the second is from a verseI've clung to during many
seasons in life, and the firstBible verse my daughter
memorized Jeremiah 29, 11.
For I know the plans I have foryou, plans to prosper you, not
to harm you, plans to give youhope and a future.
I think this could probably be achapter addition into my book
(13:17):
facelift, wouldn't you say so?
Whatever you're going throughright now loss, fear,
uncertainty, unknowns, change,or maybe just on the fence about
something in your life Rememberthe answers may not come when
you expect them, but when theydo.
They often arrive in the mostunexpected ways, just like a dog
(13:39):
showing up at just the rightmoment, like a conversation with
a stranger that changeseverything, like a God thing.
Before we close, I want to takea moment to honor the woman who
played a significant role inall of this, the fairy godmother
of our story, as I like to tocall her, who stepped in with
such generosity and care.
Her kindness truly feels like amiracle and I'll always be
(14:03):
grateful for her timing and herheart.
She was the unexpected angelthat we didn't know we needed.
Thank you so much for tuning intoday.
I hope the story resonates withyou and reminds you that
sometimes, when we least expectit, something beautiful can come
from the most difficultsituations.
I'd love to hear your storiesand your thoughts on the episode
.
Or, for those of you curious,what we named the dog?
(14:25):
As of now, it's simply dog.
So if you have a suggestion youneed to get off your chest.
Be sure to reach out onFacebook at Holly's Highlights,
and Instagram at Holly Kirby.
Remember, keep your eyes openfor the God things.
They're out there and untilnext time, take care and keep
looking for those unexpectedblessings in your life.
(14:45):
Thank you for joining me onthis journey of life.
I hope that today's highlighthas been encouraging, inspiring
and equipping so you can go outand live your life full of
purpose.
I'd be honored if you'd take amoment to leave a review or,
better yet, subscribe.
We can also stay in touch byjoining my email list at
(15:07):
hollykirbycom.
That's H-O-L-L-Y, c-u-r-b-y dotcom.
Until next time, make it agreat day for a great day.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.