No Drooling on Friends
Across from the shelter, the van sat with its side doors wide open, with a black dog standing guard, although it appeared the pup was smiling. Inside, a short, stocky older man laced with tattoos stared at me.I moved closer. “Hi, I’m Pam. Would you like a Gatorade?”“No, I don’t like power drinks.”“But, this is an ice-cold drink. It would refresh you.”“Is it that cold?”“Yes, so cold … just try it.”He reached over his dog, whose pointed ears stood like arrows, pointing up. “Thank you. I might try this one. The heat is getting to me.”I noticed the makeshift bed in the back of the van, a world for this man and his furry companion, somewhere to live while on the road. “Thank you. I might like it after all.”I petted his dog, and he licked my hand. “Who is this?”“Thor. His name means thunder.”“He seems pretty calm and friendly.”“He loves to play with his ball.”Thor stuck his nose beside his food bowl, retrieving a tennis ball, almost as if he knew what we’d said about the ball. And I grabbed the ball from the dog’s mouth.The man who called himself Blue said, “Toss it. He’ll catch it in the air.”For the next ten minutes or so, I threw the ball, and Thor snatched it in the air, always bringing the ball back to my feet. “He’s smart. I love your dog.”“He’s my buddy. We travel the country. I get my social security check each month, and when funds get low, sometimes I have to stop and eat at a shelter. Next week, we’ll be on our way. I’m headed to Mississippi this time.”“I would love a dog like this. He’s so kind.” I glanced across the grass at the few folks sitting on the ground across from the shelter. “They told me he might bite me. I think they’re wrong.”“He only bites the ones who bother him.”“So, I don’t bother him?”“I guess not. You petted his ear when you came up. He felt your touch, and I guess he figured you out.”“I’m kind of hard to figure out,” I said, smiling.“I am, too. I love the road. I love to move down the highway. Staying put isn’t my thing.”I reached inside my pocket for a scripture card, wanting to pass on a verse for my traveling friend. “Here, take this. It says, ‘Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.’” (Psalm 37:3)He took the card. “Thanks.”“I pray the Lord guides you and keeps you. Take care.”“So, before you leave, would you pray for Thor and me?”“Absolutely.”After my time with Blue and Thor, a man and his dog—a duo, so content and at peace—I counted my many blessings. Of having a bed. My own dog. And air-conditioning in the heat.Looking at the drool on my left hand as I got into the car, I was reminded how the Lord often shows me how I need eyes to see and how I lack contentment sometimes. So after my time with Blue, I prayed for days to chase hope and pursue peace. To catch ‘contentment’ in trusting God, like Thor chased his ball. I don’t want to miss the ache of a lonely heart that’s within my reach. So may I toss kindness to others too— and let God do a work, not only in the persons I meet but also in me. And when I do reach out, may I try not to drool on them.
