October 11 – “A New Name?”

Ah, Fred.  Have I mentioned yet that she finally barked?  Yep (Or rather, yip).  She valiantly protected us from the incursion of the Evil Letter Carrier, AKA The Mailman.  But she made that new and piercingly annoying sound only after the ELC had already dropped off the mail and turned his back to leave the porch.  I guess one could consider the event an encouraging part in the ongoing development of Fred’s role in the family. 

Oh, and speaking of Fred and the family … not all of the family has had a chance to meet her in person as of yet.  Zak and Caleb and Luke have had a FaceTime session with her, though, and upon subsequent pondering, Caleb apparently became somewhat concerned.  Oh, not with the pup’s health or lack of verbal skills.  Caleb was more concerned with her emotional fragility. 

Reflecting upon our new little dog’s name, Caleb thoughtfully commented to his Dad, “But Fred is just not right for a dog’s name.”  Daddy Josh did his best to explain, “Well, Caleb, the name is really Freiderecke.”  That didn’t help, even though the moniker makes her the namesake of my grandmother (the original Freiderecke who warned us never to name a child after her lest she return from her grave to haunt us).  Perceptive young Caleb replied, “What kind of name is that?  That’s not a name for a boy or a girl.”  Sigh.  Caleb, you have no idea how much my Nani K. would agree with you on that.  So he and his brothers set out on a quest for a new name for the dog.  I understand the consensus so far is … Sally.  Sorry Fred.  The northern cousins may be calling you strange things.  Be kind when they do.

Hebrews 9:27-28 says, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

Father, prepare some hearts to meet you at church today.  Amen.