It’s Spring!

Good Morning 12th Mile Community…

The end of Sweater-Weather is in sight!  T-shirts will soon take center stage, and this is definitely the way my husband rolls! For him, life is best lived in a t-shirt! Casual. Relaxed. Even faded. He especially loves wearing shirts commemorating past adventures, even if they happened years ago. To him, they are a treasure! I do not resonate with this attire nearly as much as he does, but I must admit this: T-shirts can speak! When they do, they prompt reflection…short words that pack a punch! Have you experienced this? There is one in particular that does this for me. I have seen it several times in my life. The front of the shirt draws the reader into a prayer. It reads: Oh Lord, Help me to be half the person my dog thinks I am! Wow! So true–it makes me smile! Dogs often demonstrate the ability to love sacrificially and forgive nearly instantly. It’s sobering.

My dad told me a story he once read about a German Shepherd. The dog’s owner was a farmer with land to maintain and protect, so his livestock could graze safely. The dog helped ensure this by patrolling the farm several times a day. One hot summer afternoon, the beloved canine protector was making his usual circuit through the back field of his owner’s property. His journey took him along the farm’s perimeter fence. As he approached a section of fencing, the dog apparently noticed unusual movement along the vertical exterior of the fence. Faithfully, to protect his owner’s property, the dog (as can only be surmised)  moved closer. As he closed the distance, the dog saw that the movement was a kitten. It had caught itself by the collar, snagged between a rail and a post of the fence. The kitten was in trouble. In this position, it couldn’t breathe. And the dog couldn’t help either. He was on the opposite side of the fence, unable to reach the kitten. The rail was far too close to the ground for his large body to go underneath it. The dog started to dig…and dig…and dig—until he could squeeze enough of his body under the fence to reach the kitten on the other side. This astute German Shepherd used his head to lift the kitten’s body, relieving pressure on its neck and allowing it to breathe. And there…the German Shepherd remained.  The kitten sat atop his rescuer’s head. The dog had delivered his new young friend from certain death. And now… they waited.

The farmer, concerned that he had not seen his trusted friend in a while, set off in search of his dog. He pursued the pathway the dog typically patrolled. As he made his way to the backfields of his property, he noticed, in the distance, what appeared to be a significant mound of dirt near a post and rail of his fencing. Alarmed, he hastened his steps to see what could have compromised the ground in front of the fenced area. His steps turned into a run when he realized what he was seeing was his dog’s body. Fearing the worst, he ran with all his might toward his friend. As he reached the dog and saw the care his beloved pet was providing to this vulnerable young creature, he was overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by the fact that his dog did whatever it took with his large body–dirt and all–to rescue the kitten. And his friend was doing it with such humility and gentleness in the full summer sun with no water. The dog was more concerned about his young friend than himself. He waited for the help only his master could provide to rescue them both. The farmer was stunned by the steadfast care his faithful partner had for another living creature. It humbled him.

As a young girl, listening to my father speak about this story he had read in a newspaper, I was profoundly impacted by the sacrifice that love often requires. My dad’s story was told to me 50 years ago, but the impact remains as strong as the day I heard it. Love can have an extravagant price tag.  Or, perhaps it is simply …priceless.

Nearly two thousand years ago, a man rode into Jerusalem with his eyes set on doing what it would take to provide our rescue.  And…it would be expensive.  This man, God’s son, Jesus, was a king. But, like our story, the rescuer was humble and gentle. He entered into a large crowd riding a donkey.  It would end up costing him his life.

Palm Sunday is THIS Sunday. Christians acknowledge this day as a celebration of the Son of God who came in gentleness and humility. He was determined to be our rescue so that we could breathe for eternity! Five days later, he gave his life to secure our forever. Yet, Easter was coming…and He is risen! Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift for our rescue!

Zechariah 9:9…Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey… (See also Matthew 21: 1-9)

Hebrews 12:2…Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus is our perfect rescuer!

Happy Palm Sunday!

Happy Easter!

With love,

Louise Ann