If you are a regular reader you know that I believe we are never truly alone. Of course we are never out of sight of the Lord, but we may also be under the watchful eyes of those in the angelic realm. We read in the Bible that we encounter angels in our daily lives without recognizing who they are.
Last Saturday was the annual Lord’s Acre festival and BBQ at Poolville United Methodist church where we used to be members. We still go each year for the fellowship with so many people we grew to love and, yes, for the baked goods too.
This day there was a pair of half grown pups, probably a mixture of Australian Shepherd and Heeler. Actually, the Aussie part is a pretty good bet; any guess about what else contributed to the puppies’ breeding is only a shot in the dark at best.
These were the most adorable Disney-esque dogs you have ever seen. They were nearly identical twins and stayed next to each other on a corner of the sidewalk. There was carpet and a little shelter from the wet, cold day just ten feet away, but the pups just stayed in their place.
When a child would approach, the two darling pups rose up, and with tails and thin hips wagging heroically, went to the children for pets, then returned to their vigil on the sidewalk corner. Because the pups sported such thick lustrous fur coats it wasn’t immediately apparent how many meals they must have missed. Once you ran your hand down their little backs in a light caress it became obvious; they were desperately in need of rescue.
At times when the puppies were alone, they sat side-by-side as if harnessed together, or lay down along side each other like sardines in a can so you couldn’t easily tell which was which. And all this with two bounce houses constantly in use not more than twenty feet away.
We learned that the pups had been there for at least one day and night already. They never moved from their place. When the children or people who had been petting them moved on, the pups did not follow. They seemed anchored to that corner.
The expression in the eyes of the brother was far older than his tender age; the sister more open and hopeful, but hardly confident. The talk of the kitchen and fellowship hall revolved around the pups and who might take them home. Nearly everyone had a reason why they could not.
And the pups waited on their corner.
One of the couples we see often just lost their dog tragically and had determined there would not be another. After some negotiation, they agreed that if the pups were still there at the end of the day they would take them home. I was so relieved… because there was no way they could be left there alone one more night.
Soon after, I noticed another couple feeding scraps of BBQ to the pups and figuring how they would get them to the car when they left. I sat and talked with them for quite some time. I suppose you could say I was interviewing…
They were wonderful. I don’t know the couple, but they are mature, settled and had their grandchildren with them to enjoy the outing.
The adoptive couple had two part Labrador sisters at home who would welcome the new additions. Plans were made to expand the family to include this pair of pups.
As we sat with the puppies we remarked that sometimes you just know you are in the presence of angels. The decisions we make at times like these are of the utmost importance in our lives and prove whether we walk the walk or simply talk about it.
No dogs ever behaved as did these. It was supernatural how they simply waited, never getting frantic, retiring to lie together when the action left their corner of the sidewalk. Such expressive eyes.
I think our friends who didn’t get the pups were actually a bit disappointed. What matters most is that they made the commitment to act. They were prepared to take the pups home. That someone else actually fed and tucked the puppies in that night doesn’t reduce the credit due our friends in the slightest.
Abraham was ready to bring down the knife to slay his only son. That he didn’t have to brings him no discredit. He was the first to be counted righteous by faith and obedience to God.
When there is need, our commitment to act is what matters. Whether we actually have to follow through is not the point.
There will be a day soon when you may have to make such a decision. What will you do? Perhaps you will find yourselves where we did last Saturday in Poolville, entertaining angels unaware.
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