Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith
Giving Love Away, Getting More Back: Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary & Beth Guckenberger
The greatest gift we can ever give—or receive—is love. It’s the only thing that multiples when we give it away, whether we’re showing that love to family and pets, friends and strangers. Michael and Zina Goodin of Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary share how they began to care for older dogs who often got overlooked, providing for them in such a way that brings out their best. Over the years, Michael and Zina have learned a few life lessons from their canine friends, which they share in their new book, Homecoming Tales. Orphan care advocate Beth Guckenberger of Back2Back Ministries is familiar with small beginnings—and if you ask her, she’ll tell you just how amazing it is that God was ever able to use her to create such a ministry. Through the miracles she’s seen, and the amazing children she’s met along the way, Beth has seen the value of stepping out in faith, and how God works all things together for good as we shower others with His love.
Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:
Past interview: Kristen Chenoweth and Joanne Rogers
Upcoming interview: Bishop TD Jakes
Episode sponsor: Operation Christmas Child
Build a shoebox for a child online at Samaritan’s Purse.org/occ
Book: Homecoming Tales
Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary
Middle Tennessee Golden Retriever Rescue
Simon and Garfunkel song, “Old Friends”
Michael and Zina’s feature in the October 2020 issue of Jesus Calling Magazine
Interview Quotes:
“That's our goal: for as long as the dogs are with us, to keep them as happy and comfortable as we can.” - Michael Goodin
“Because of Lucy-Lu's attitude, we realized that these senior dogs, no matter what terrible background they came from, could appreciate the rest of their life and leave the past behind them and have a good life.” - Zina Goodin
“One of the greatest things about older dogs, especially when they have been in the shelters, when we bring them out of that shelter, they don't even remember the past. They just live in the day, and they get so happy.” - Michael Goodin
“I had to try to understand what it looked like for God to be sovereign in stories that were hard.” - Beth Guckenberger
“We knew that we were taking small steps, and this was a small beginning. We had no idea what was going ahead. But there was a lot of comfort in believing that God was just rejoicing in our obedience.” - Beth Guckenberger
“Watching the power of love in the life of an adopted child and what it does to a child to feel known and loved and seen, it definitely birthed all the rest of the stories that happened in our family.” - Beth Guckenberger
“This is exactly why we sow truth into our hearts, so that in a moment we most need it, It's right there at the ready for us. So for me, when I get big feelings like fear or anger or anything that can threaten to steal the peace that I have, I just remind myself of what's true.” - Beth Guckenberger
“The faster we get to that space where we can trust God to be good and right, the less energy we spend fighting what He has for us.” - Beth Guckenberger
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