I met Otis at a shelter in 2015. He had lived an unusually rough life, spending the past five years surviving on the streets of West End. His hair was matted, he had teeth missing, and he had a noticeably bad eye. Every time I reached out to Otis, however, he bit me. He wasn’t being mean; it was more of a playful thing. You see, Otis is a Shih Tzu. A few years ago, I decided to bring him home. Now Otis is my Shih Tzu.

In a sense, I saved Otis. He was overdue to be euthanized because no one adopted him. The shelter gave him a little more time, hoping someone would choose him. They saw that he was well-mannered and would make a great pet. It was all meant to be. I think Otis knows I rescued him. He is loyal to me like no other. As only dogs can, he loves me unconditionally.

When my family goes on vacation, we have to kennel Otis. I don’t like to, but it’s our only option. The poor dog probably doesn’t understand why, but he has to spend a few days in a strange place, all locked up. I know it’s stressful, and he isn’t comfortable, but it is temporary. As I write this, Otis is in the kennel.

Otis is probably having a difficult time right now. He is lonely and confused. What he doesn’t know, however, is that tomorrow he comes home. We will be reunited, and all things will be right again. His present distress will instantly turn to joy. I will show up and carry him home. He will eat from his special dish and sleep in his favorite bed. Otis will enjoy everything I have prepared for him. All this in just a few hours, and he has no idea.

I think you know where I am going with this. Life may be difficult at this moment, but God is anticipating our upcoming reunion. He has been preparing for a long time for our homecoming, and He is eager to bring us home. His only reason for the delay is a desire for everyone to be there.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

Sometimes life feels like the kennel. Although our troubles are temporary, we often struggle to see past them. No one fully knows what God has in store for our eternity, but it will outdo and outlast our current situation by a long shot. “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but He has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is.” (1 John 3:2)

Tomorrow afternoon, Otis won’t be thinking about the kennel anymore. He won’t be stressing over the hardships that made him suffer. He probably won’t remember much about it at all. He will celebrate the joy of being home with his family. That, to me, is the same hope we have for our future.

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create;” (Isaiah 65:17,18)