“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” (Ps 94:19)

Lilly, my Yorkie, ran to hide under the bed again as I grabbed my purse and keys. It was time to leave for work, and she was determined to keep me home.

“Lilly,” I called, peering around the corner of the hallway into my bedroom.

Silence.

Then I heard a snuffling noise from under the bed, so I knew she was still there.

I walked into the bedroom and peered under the bed. Two bright eyes stared back at me. I put my hand out, and she licked my fingers, but she didn’t get any closer. I sighed.

“Okay, Lilly, you win. Treat!”

I grabbed the container of treats and shook it just outside the bedroom door. As soon as she heard the crinkle of the packaging, she ran out. I gave her the treat and quickly put the baby gate in place before she could run back into my room. Disappointed, she ran into the living room to hide behind the blankets.

Lilly turns nine this month. She came to me when she was only six months old with terrible separation anxiety. The story above was our routine for almost six years. I work from home now, but she still hides under the bed occasionally when I leave.

Like Lilly, I am prone to anxiety. I don’t have the clinical kind, but the more general kind where I become stressed and let worries and fear overwhelm me. I’ve struggled with anxiety for years, worrying about grades (when I was in school) and my spouse (when I was married) and my family and making friends and various jobs I’ve had over the years. Usually, my anxiety is triggered by something out of my control: being thrust into an unknown situation or being asked to do something I’m not sure I’m capable of doing well. The fear of the unknown and the fear of failure are two of my biggest triggers.

While Lilly and I both still have bouts with anxiety, we have grown together. Lilly has been a faithful companion who has been there through all the ups and downs of my human relationships. She came to me while I was still struggling with the emotional fallout from my divorce. God knew that I needed something on which to focus my attention in order to heal, so he brought Lilly to console me. She has taught me how to care more deeply and how to connect with others. I’m so thankful for each day with this little dog that has taught me so much about life, my relationships with others, and my relationship with God.

Dear Jesus, thank you for the companionship of Lilly and the lessons I’ve learned through her. When anxiety rears its ugly head, help me to trust you to take those worries and carry them for me. Amen.