When God sends what we didn't know we needed

A year ago today, Buzz showed up at our farm - skin and bones, covered in ticks, no collar, one eye working. And he arrived right in the middle of busy. Cramped space, transition, boxes everywhere, building a home, figuring out life in a new state. In our minds, the timing was terrible. 

But God sent him anyway. 

Now, a year and twenty pounds later, we’re celebrating his birthday. Buzz wakes up every morning absolutely thrilled to be alive. I’m a morning person, but he makes me look lazy. He will not sleep past 5:43am. He hits the ground running - toys flying, laps around the house, full‑body joy for the new day. 

Buzz and Skeeter drag us outside every day for a couple‑mile hike. They don’t overthink it. They don’t worry about the to‑do list. They just live. 

And here’s the part that keeps circling in my mind: 

Sometimes when we ask “why?” we need to remember that God knows what we need long before we do. 

He knew we needed joy. 

He knew we needed something to pull us outside. 

He knew we needed a reminder that life is still good, even in the middle of transition. 

We’re always in the middle of something - leading people, caring for family, navigating stress, trying to grow. Every day has its own mix of hard and good. 

But Buzz and Skeeter remind me of something we often forget: 

God provides joy, if we choose to see it. 

Joy isn’t extra. 

Joy is a life and leadership practice. 

It’s not ignoring hard things or pretending everything is fine. 

It’s noticing the good in the middle of the hard. 

It’s letting yourself be surprised by delight. 

It’s waking up knowing God will meet you. 

Buzz wakes up expecting good. 

Maybe that’s the posture leadership needs a little more of. 

Reply “YES” in the comments if you choose joy today!!