Chosen

We all go through seasons of change and uncertainty. Whether it’s starting a new venture, navigating a difficult season, or welcoming a new four-legged member into the family, taking that next step can be emotional, exciting, and honestly, a little scary.

When you decide to add a dog to your life, you never quite know exactly what you’re getting into. Sometimes, you get to meet the puppy's parents to get a feel for their temperament and attitude. Other times, you rescue a dog who has been through things they have no way of explaining to you, leaving you to figure out the root of their fears and behaviors.

But at some point in the process, a decision is made. You make a choice. You look at that dog, and you choose them.

Two Different Paths, One Chosen Love

Recently, I’ve been working on a brand-new apparel collection with Liberty, a wonderful micro-influencer you might know. Her story with her dog, Theo, got me thinking deeply about the different ways we choose our pets.

Liberty made a choice and chose Theo. Because he came to her as a tiny puppy straight from his mother, he arrived with a completely blank slate—no preconceived notions about people, no past trauma. He was just a joyful little blank canvas, already deeply in love with his new dog mama.

My own story looked a bit different. I made a choice and chose my rescue dog, Milly. Unlike a fresh puppy, Milly came to me absolutely terrified of people. She was almost completely untouchable at first, carrying a heavy past I couldn't see but could certainly feel.

Two completely different situations, but the heart of it was exactly the same: We both chose.

I once heard Cesar Milan say, "You don't get the dog you want, you get the dog you need." I’ve seen that truth play out in my own life with Milly, but I think the reverse is just as powerful: The dog gets the owner it needs.

The Story Behind the Design

When Liberty and I first started talking about collaborating on a shirt design, she told me that her absolute favorite verse is Psalm 139:14:

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."

It’s such a beautiful reminder of how carefully God designs our lives, our stories, and even the matches He makes between us and our dogs. I sat down and created a few different design options for her, but as I was working, God kept laying one specific word on my heart. I couldn't shake it. It kept looping in my mind over and over: CHOSEN.

So, I followed that prompt and created a design for Liberty based on Isaiah 41:9:

"...you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, 'You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off.'"

The Ultimate Best Friend

The parallel between our dogs and our faith hit me so hard while designing this series. Just like we look at a puppy or a rescue dog and choose them, Jesus Christ chose us.

Think about that for a second. He chose us knowing full well all of our problems. He knew every single way we would fall, and He knew all of our mess and our sin—just like I knew Milly’s deep fears and problems and chose her anyway.

He knew we would be difficult. He knew we would have our doubts and worries, and yes, He knew we would constantly "chew on things" we definitely shouldn't be chewing on, just like a new puppy.

But He chose us anyway.

He loves us so deeply that He didn't look at our mistakes, our baggage, or our messy days and turn away. Instead, He gave His life for us. He looked at you, exactly as you are, and said, "I want you."

No matter what you are walking through today, or how unworthy you might feel, remember that the Creator of the universe hand-picked you. You are loved, you are wanted, and you are entirely Chosen.