It was 5 a. m. and raining cats and dogs as I drove in the predawn darkness to an early morning exercise class. Suddenly, a big, beautiful grey dog seemed to materialize in the blackness right in front of my headlights. I slammed to a halt, thankfully missing the dog, who stared at me with frightened eyes. I looked back in my rear view mirror, and there he was, in all that rain, galloping after my car, right down the middle of Lassiter Mill Road.
Stunned, I paused for a few seconds, thinking, "Well what on earth can I possibly do with some unknown dog at 5 in the morning...in the rain...in the darkness. After all, I've got a class to go to and friends to laugh with. Goodness, he could be rabid for all I know...and, uh, and..." It's so tempting to make excuses and to not get involved, isn't it?
But after a moment's hesitation, I knew doing nothing simply couldn't be an option. Selfishness comes so easily, so naturally to our prideful, sinful selves, doesn't it? Well, at least it surely does to yours truly. Oh mercy, Lord, save me, help me never to become one of those people who are too busy, or too self-important, or too preoccupied, or too plain old self-centered to care about the hurting and helpless, whether that sufferer is a fellow child of God or one of His animal creatures. "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." (Phil.2:3) Jesus--the Almighty Lord of the universe who willingly served and gave His life for all us sinners--is our ultimate and perfect example of that.
And by the way, when we refuse to get involved, when we look the other way (me? Guilty!), aren't we essentially demonstrating not only a lack of love and compassion, but also apathy? Now there's a word to despise. "Apathy" comes from two Latin words that mean "without" (a) and "passion" (pathos). Is that who we want to be--people living day-to-day without passion for others, without excitement and anticipation that God can and will use us today and everyday?
Yeah, all that to say, that selfish, "prone to wander Lord I feel it" me, thankfully heeded God's still small voice (because all too often I don't...but praise God for grace and second chances). I turned my car right around and headed back up Lassiter Mill to see if the dog was still there.
And he was. In fact, when he glimpsed my car, he began racing towards me again. I reckon my white highlander looked like salvation to him. I pulled up beside him, jumped out, opened the back door, and he jumped right in as if this had been his plan all along. We drive home in the pounding rain and inky darkness with him sitting up in the backseat like this was his car and I was his person. I had to smile.
But when we pulled in the driveway, I'm thinking, "What in thunderation am I gonna do now?" Nobody's awake. This dog is soaking wet. No tags on his collar. And, by the way, he won't get out of the car. Of course, I can't blame him; he's had a pretty stressful start to the day and he's got no idea who this strange person is who's trying to coax him out of the car with hot dogs (which, incidentally, he enjoyed immensely). I won't go into all the details, but my husband (who was less than thrilled that I woke him up at 5 to ask him what I should do!) came up with the brilliant idea to drive my car into our garage (which we never use so this had never occurred to me) and open the doors. Genius.
Sure enough, he (the dog, not my husband) eventually jumped out of the car and stood at our kitchen door, staring at Mr. Bingley...who seemed a bit confused. I started sending out a photo of the dog to several friends, asking if anybody recognized him. I even called a couple of them...yes, called them at about 5:15 a.m. I'm sure they were delighted to hear from me at that hour of the morning--ha!--but thankfully the Lord's blessed me with wonderful, grace-filled, understanding friends who didn't fuss at me but tried to help. Definitely grace in action.
When I texted my exercise buddies, they were all up, and let me tell you, they're a sharp bunch! Immediately one of them thought that she possibly recognized the dog, and lots of them had some great suggestions...which is impressive that early in the morning. Again, too many details, but suffice it to say that it took a while, but eventually we got this sweet old boy back to his home, and all ended happily. Well, except I missed the exercise class--small price to pay for making a difference...even if it was a very tiny difference.
I share all this, because God used this little incident to teach--or perhaps remind--me of of a few very simple little lessons...but they're lessons worth remembering (because, as I always say, we're mighty good forgetters). First, when God gives us an opportunity--even a seemingly very small one--to help or encourage someone else, let's do it. It's so easy to default to apathy or busyness or distraction or selfishness. But these interruptions can often be the Lord's appointments for us, allowing us to share His love and grace--even in a seemingly tiny, insignificant way--with some person or for some need that He's put in our paths. God's always working and moving in millions of ways that we do not see or know, and He delights to use us in often unexpected ways to bless, encourage, help, and strengthen others in all sorts of ways.
Yeah sure, we can't do everything...but we can do something. We can't change the world...but we can change the small part of the world where the Lord has placed us. We can't help everyone...but by golly, we can help someone. Speak the word of encouragement. Write the note of thanks. Listen to that lonely person. Hug that frustrated teenager. Thank that harried waiter. Offer the help. Give the money. Don't just think it: do it. Don't wait for the gigantic gesture...take the opportunity before you to love, help, or encourage even in the seemingly insignificant or small ways. Those "small" ways, after all, add up.
And second, it really does take a village. So be thankful for your village. I'm so thankful for my buddies who gave me great suggestions and advice that morning. Maybe it seemed a mighty little thing to them, but their encouragement sure didn't feel little to me! I was so grateful!
Aren't you thankful God didn't make us to be lone-ranger Christians? Oh my, how thankful I am for my priceless family, my wonderful friends, my brothers and sisters, my loving church family, my Bible study women, my dear exercise peeps. God has given us the irreplaceable gift of community and the joy of being part of a family and of the body of Christ. Let's don't take it for granted. Let's love, forgive, help, strengthen, encourage, and enjoy one another.
Here's how God's Word puts it in Hebrews 10:24-25: "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." In other words, people, keep loving, helping, encouraging, and meeting with your village. We have to daily--in the busyness and stress of life--fight passivity and isolation. Don't neglect the priceless gift of your village!
All that from one unexpected predawn meeting with a wet, scared dog! But God moves in mysterious ways, doesn't He? The thing is, He's always moving and working...so by His grace and for His glory, let's be a part of it.
To God be the glory.
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