“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”
— Psalm 34:19 (ESV)
Some devotionals begin with soft reflection.
This one begins with trembling prayer, urgent fear—and ends in joyful, undeniable praise.
🕊️ A Scare with Lily
On Saturday, July 26, my dog Lily ate part of a corn cob—something that can be deadly for dogs. Corn cobs often cause intestinal blockages. Many dogs need surgery. Some don’t survive.
Shadow, our other dog, might have eaten some too. I cried out to Jesus as we rushed them to the emergency vet in Watsontown.
⚠️ The X-Ray That Didn’t Happen
Once we arrived, Lily’s x-ray was taken—but the machine broke before it could be reviewed. The images were lost. Staff tried everything to restore it. I felt strongly this was an attack of the enemy—designed to delay, confuse, and stir fear.
The vet examined both dogs and felt no blockages. She relayed that we could wait until Sunday morning to get images at another clinic. We were there from 6 PM to 10:30 PM, but she kindly charged us for only one exam. That, too, was mercy.
I prayed the whole way home. Jesus was our only hope.
🙌 God’s Divine Guidance
I contacted a trusted trainer who pointed me to Metzger Animal Hospital in State College—one of the clinics already on our emergency list. That felt like confirmation from the Lord. I prayed. And I waited. Lily and Shadow showed no symptoms overnight. We drove to Metzger Animal Hospital on Sunday morning, July 27. Shadow’s x-rays looked perfect. Lily’s showed that the corn cob might have passed into the large intestine. A radiologist was called in for further evaluation.
“Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”
— 1 Peter 5:7
🐾 Memories That Still Hurt
Just a little over a year ago, I wrote about the heartbreaking loss of my beloved dog, Dan. That season left a deep wound in my heart—and so, when Lily swallowed that piece of corn cob, the fear was real. I knew the risks. I knew what surgery could mean for an older dog. My memories of losing Dan came rushing back.
But this time, God wrote a different ending.
Read: I Didn’t Know This Would Be Our Last Hike – the story of Dan’s final hike with me.
🙌 The Verdict
The radiologist confirmed: There were no signs of blockage.
No surgery needed. No complications. We were cleared to go home.
My heart overflowed. What could have been trauma turned into praise.
✨ The Miracle
Only about 1 in 3 dogs who eat corn cob avoid surgery. The odds were against us. But Jesus is greater than odds. I believe with all my heart that He healed Lily. It was a miracle.
If Lily had needed surgery, we wouldn’t be able to attend Mahaffey Camp Meeting (August 1–10)—an event I believe will be spiritually significant for me. Because of His mercy, Lily, Shadow, and I will go.
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
— Exodus 14:14
🎵 A Drive of Thankful Praise
On the drive home from State College, I didn’t cry—I sang. With joy. With thankfulness. With power. These two songs filled the car:
“So when I fight, I’ll fight on my knees, with my hands lifted high…”
— Battle Belongs
“I’ll stand with arms high and heart abandoned, in awe of the One who gave it all…”
— The Stand
I sang them as declarations of the Lord’s power and love. Truly, the battle does belong to the Lord—and we will stand with arms high and hearts abandoned.
🤍 A Moment at the Clinic
While waiting in the emergency vet’s lobby on Saturday, I saw a mother and son return hours after their earlier visit. I knew something was wrong. When I asked, she told me their pet had been put down. I asked if I could hug her—and with her permission, I did. Then I prayed a blessing over her. May our Lord Jesus bring her and her family peace in their grief.
Even in my fear, God allowed me to be a vessel of His peace.
🏕️ A Door That Stayed Open
I have felt for some time that this camp meeting will be important for me. I believe the Lord will reveal the next step as I continue walking His trail at the camp meeting. If Lily had needed surgery, we wouldn’t have been able to go. But now, with her healing, we are free to attend together—me, Lily, and Shadow.
⚠️ A Very Real Threat
Veterinarians regularly warn that corn cobs are one of the most dangerous foods a dog can eat. Their fibrous structure doesn’t break down in the stomach and can easily cause an intestinal blockage—sometimes deadly. Many dogs who swallow a piece need emergency surgery, and tragically, some don’t survive the ordeal. So for Lily—an older dog—to pass the cob naturally without any obstruction, and with full confirmation from a radiologist, was nothing short of a miraculous healing from Jesus.
🙏 Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are the Healer, the Protector, and the Prince of Peace. Thank You for watching over Lily and Shadow. Thank You for fighting for us when we felt helpless. Use this testimony to glorify Your name. Let others trust You in the waiting, and find peace in Your presence. Let every breath in our lives—and even in our pets—be praise to You. Amen.
🌿 Final Reflection
As I try to step out for the Lord, I’ve noticed more attacks from the enemy. I believe this corn cob incident was one of them—but Jesus pulled us through. I know this wasn’t persecution like others suffer in the persecuted Church, but in my life, it was a very real battle.
And my Lord—He showed Himself strong, again..
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.”
—Psalm 34:17 (NIV)
All glory and praise to Jesus Christ, my Healer, my Rescuer, and my Peace.
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#JesusHeals
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Walking HIS Trail 