Spiritual Inspiration

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I remember one day I was having lunch with my husband, and out of nowhere I just blurted out,
“I want you to know… I’m getting a German Shepherd this week.”

I hadn’t planned it. I didn’t even know why I said it.
But surprisingly, he didn’t argue. He simply said, “Okay.”

A few days later, I began searching for a German Shepherd puppy. I looked on Craigslist and met two beautiful puppies...but deep down, I knew they weren’t the ones. Something inside me kept saying, these aren’t for you.

Then I found a third listing.

On the way there, I turned down a street called Grace.

When I pulled into the driveway, an adult German Shepherd suddenly ran in front of my car. I almost hit him. He stopped, turned, and looked at me… holding an old football in his mouth.

It felt like a scene straight out of  A Dog’s Purpose—and I remember that thought crossing my mind.

A woman came out and led me to see their last puppy.

There she was… sitting quietly beside her mom, looking out from a simple kennel.
The moment I saw her, I knew. She was the one.

They told me they had struggled to find her a home.

As I was leaving, I asked, “What’s her mom’s name?”
She smiled and said, “Happy.”

Anya was a normal puppy at first… but it didn’t take long to notice something different.

Anything we did...she wanted to do too.
Laundry? She tried to help carry it.
Groceries? She wanted to bring them in.

But what stood out the most was this:

She would often pick up a random item...something with no meaning at all...and bring it to me. Then she would sit quietly in front of me, holding it, just looking into my eyes.

The object had no value…
but the way she brought it...the love in her eyes, the sincerity...completely melted my heart.

I started sharing videos of Anya...her helping around the house, her sweet personality, the little things she would do.

But then I felt a gentle nudge from God:
“Use her for My purpose.”

So I did.

I began posting videos of Anya carrying messages...Scripture, encouragement, reminders of God’s love...simple moments meant to brighten someone’s day and remind them of their worth.

As the years went on, something began to change in me.

To create those posts, I found myself diving into the Bible...learning verses, understanding their meaning, seeking what message God wanted to share.

Eight years later…
I realized I had memorized Scripture.
I had grown close to God in a way I never had before.

And people began writing to me...sharing how they had experienced healing, encouragement, even miracles… just from encountering God’s Word through Anya.

Many said they felt peace…
felt the presence of the Holy Spirit…
even just looking into her eyes.

Then this past summer, I felt something I couldn’t ignore.

An unsettling deep in my spirit.

Finally, I cried out,
“God, what is this? Is this from You? What do You want me to do?”

And in that moment, I felt Him say:
“Stop hiding.”

I knew exactly what He meant.

Stop hiding behind the videos.
Step out.
Speak.
Minister.
Pray for people.
Walk in the purpose I had been prepared for all along.

Then He showed me an image of a sunflower.

I started a ministry page… The Son’s Flower.

I began posting daily Scripture.

And one month later…
a real sunflower sprouted from a tree in my backyard.

Something had shifted in me.

I had a boldness I had never known before.
A deep desire to pray for others.
A hunger to share Jesus.

I realized that through Anya… through those years of posting…
God had been preparing me.

Filling me with His Word.
Teaching me His truth.
Drawing me closer to Him.

Now, everywhere I go, I look for someone who needs prayer.
I step out in faith in ways I never would have before.

Anya was never just a dog.

She was part of the journey.
A gentle, beautiful way God led me into His purpose.

I share this with you because I want you to know:

God has a purpose for your life.

It doesn’t matter where you are right now...
whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, a business owner, or somewhere in between.

If you listen…
if you follow His leading…
He will guide you.

Step by step.
Moment by moment.

Into the purpose He has already prepared for you.

You can follow Anya's Facebook page for inspiration: https://www.facebook.com/anyathegsd/