Pet Detective

 “Always give thanks to God for everything." ~ Ephesian 5:20

Centuries ago, stagecoach drivers assumed responsibility for the safety of their passengers from the perils of unknown territories, impassable roads, and the threat of robbery. Modern bus drivers must still keep guard for their passengers, even the furry ones.

So, when the car in front of him swerved to avoid a man walking toward traffic in his pajamas, Mike slowed his city bus to a stop. The man guided a golden Lab down the middle of the road by the collar. A drunken smile crossed his face when he looked up.

Concerned for their safety, he pulled beside the pair and offered them a free lift. The man let go of the dog’s collar as if planning to leave the poor little guy behind! Mike knew immediately that something wasn't quite right.

Mike coaxed the dog up the steps where it promptly slumped next to the strapping busman’s seat. His collar read “Cooper.”

Oddly enough, Cooper didn’t seem eager to follow his owner, so the man dragged him by the collar toward the back of the bus where he took a seat next to a young woman.

The near-empty coach echoed their brief chat. Mike overheard the man offer Cooper to her for $50. She acidly refused.

The drunkard rose from his seat and stumbled forward and waited beside Mike to exit the bus. The cool operator decided to ask the 'owner' a few questions, including the pooch's name. The man seemed unsure, and none of the names he attempted matched the one on Cooper’s collar.

That’s when Mike knew that Cooper and his supposed owner did not actually belong together. Cooper was either lost or stolen. If lost, he’d been found by the wrong person.

He pulled his rig to a complete stop and motioned for the man to get off. “The dog stays with me,” Mike told the man with a menacing grin. He left to hearty applause from the remaining passengers.

When his shift ended Mike turned Cooper over to an all-night veterinary hospital that identified the dog’s owner as Jane Murphy from an imbedded chip. The wily pooch had either escaped or was taken while Jane’s son was visiting a friend that night.

Cooper was returned to a grateful Murphy family the next morning. They insisted on meeting Mike so they could thank him in person and gave the hero driver a framed picture of their beloved pup with this adorable note: "Thank you for bringing me back home to my family! Love Cooper.”

Beneath the chaos of today’s headlines, is a quietness that whispers of love as our truth. When we invite the Spirit in, when we savor opportunities to return goodness, there’s a sense of amazing gratitude. It’s this sense that makes our souls robust, strong enough to greet stormy and sunny days with equal satisfaction.

Father God, thank You for the courageous people of great character around us, and for bringing them into our lives at the exact time we need them. Amen

Lost, but Grounded

 “Avoid obsessing over material things, be satisfied with what you have.” ~ Hebrews 13:5

Jaelyn’s rainy Monday was shaping up to be an awful day. Dragging herself back to work after a two-day recess always felt like an imposition. Customers seemed more antagonistic, bosses more demanding and coworkers more needy.

She was looking forward to sharing lunch with her friends to commiserate. Except it seemed the other girls missed the 'memo.' They organized lunch together and forgot to include Jaelyn.

It began with a pang of envy, followed by anxiety, self-doubt, and a gnawing sense of inadequacy. After a few minutes of pouting and sulking, Jaelyn decided it was probably unintentional and she was being childish, but it still hurt a little.

While choking down a few sandwich bites at a table by herself in the cafeteria, Jaelyn picked up her iPhone. She scrolled quickly by a few friends’ stunning vacations, epic achievements, and glamorous selfies. Instead of feeling less isolated, she felt sadder, emptier, and lonelier.

She couldn’t help herself from wishing she were doing that, living that life, flaunting that body, or having that many friends. Jaelyn caught herself in an emotional spiral downward.

She got up from the table and decided to take a walk instead – alone with her thoughts. Soon the playful sounds of dancing drops pelted her umbrella as if their sole purpose was to bring serenity and peace to this day. 

Walking among the rainfall offered time for meditation, a way to become fully present in the moment, an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to enter her consciousness.

By His grace: 

“I know how you struggle when you feel unwanted and unloved. I’ve been here too. Life has nothing to do with your social status or achievements. I came, so you might believe. I created you with infinite worth. I suffered and died so that no one should ever feel left out again.”

She recalled the many times she hunched over her phone in line at the grocery store or sitting in her car checking TikTok. It was like she’d rather have something take up the space in her mind than be alone with the quiet of her own thoughts anymore. In their place, she distracted herself with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Holy Spirit reminded her that she made those choices by immersing herself in social media and missing the mood-boosting benefits that come from face-to-face interaction. When you’re one-on-one, you can more accurately read body language, emotions, and energy better, which means more empathy and less comparison.

It’s sometimes painful to admit loneliness, but it might actually be an invitation for the Holy Spirit to do His work within you! After all, the Holy Spirit calls us both to action and stillness, fierce integrity and playful wonder. Grounded in the full love of Christ.

Holy Spirit, help me stay grounded in my own story and avoid falling into comparison and envy. Let me never forget how God has been, and is currently at work, in my life at all times.  Amen

Grief Catcher

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." ~ Mathew 5:4

In the quiet corners of the city’s busiest hospital, she rests alone briefly in order to prevent her body from spiraling into exhaustion. Chaplain Margaret had just watched a young man being resuscitated in the ER. He didn’t make it. Soon she’ll be tasked with consoling the grieving family when they arrive as their nightmare unfolds.

She sees gunshot wounds, car accidents, fires, falls, stabbings, strokes, and heart attacks daily. Almost every person was living a perfectly normal routine before their life was irreversibly changed by the universe crashing in.

Her job is a mix between a pastor and a therapist. Margaret enters every hospital room as a presence with open arms and ears. A subtle panic stirs in her chest waking a profound appreciation for the responsibility she bears.

Her role will be that of a “grief catcher.” When a person grieves, very often they’re falling. Falling into a sudden vacuum of loss, falling into overwhelming emotions, falling into a 'new normal.' She’ll try to catch them... not to block their anguish, but be with them on the way down.

The deceased also requires catching. Grieving isn’t always about letting go of the departed, but catching their memory. People tend to share stories about their loved ones. In a few moments, Margaret will help capture the young man’s story - the texture of the way he laughed, spoke, or sang in the shower so the bereaved can ignite an eternal flame of remembrances before re-entering the hectic crush of living.

She’ll have sacred access to the memorialization of his spirit, brought to life by the family of friends who loved him. It's never something the Chaplain takes lightly.

The family of five just arrived. “God be with me please,” Margaret prays somberly to herself. “Make me an instrument of Your peace and love.”

The father cried as if his brain was being shredded from the inside. Emotional pain flowed out of Mom’s every pore. From her lungs came a cry so raw that even the eyes of the hospital staff were suddenly wet with tears.

Then she went to work – listening, calming, and reassuring until the family left the hospital.

Years ago, a physician asked Margaret if her chaplain ministry had become easier or harder with time. After pausing to reflect, she admitted, “It’s easier because, after over 20 years, I feel calmer and more solid when confronted with suffering and usually feel better equipped to respond in ways that seem helpful. But it’s harder, also, because my heart is softer. Somehow, I feel the depth of the pain before me at a much deeper level.”

Blessed are those who serve.

Light of life, help us to not be afraid and lean on You for comfort and peace. Death is an unknown and anxious experience. Calm our spirits and give us peace when we journey with You into eternal life - no more pain, no more weeping, only Light and Love. Amen.

Lean On Me

 “Lord, let me hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for I trust in You." ~ Psalm 143:8

He (9) cries all alone in the corner, his mind lost in absolute fear with a story no one would believe. Yet he prays every night – for a safe place, for a better life; more like heaven than this hell. He pleads: "Father, could you please send someone here who will love me for me?”

They could’ve known, but she (13) hides it so well, even from her parents. Although they can’t see the scars, the burns, and the emotional wounds, she wonders why they don’t notice the sadness in her eyes or the silent anguish bleeding her mind. Sometimes all she needs is a kind word or a warm hug – signs that she’s loved, understood, and accepted for who she really is.

He (26) wasn't born for great things, nor to find his place in the sun. He tries every day but there seems no path to success. He’s lost an astounding amount of money in a fraction of the time it took to acquire. There’s nothing to show for it - other than maybe a sad story to tell. Some days, it feels like all he knows how to do is lose.

Her (45) circle is shrinking a little each day. Her soul mate, her husband of 21 years husband is leaving. She’ll go to the gym today after work. Maybe if she were thinner, prettier, or more exciting he would stay. Will she ever know someone who will love her again, this time for who she is, blemishes and all? Somebody who will show her what love really means.

He (58) sits all alone waiting to die. The man in the cell regrets all he’s done. Inaudible screams purge the depths of his soul. The walls can’t hold back a prayer, or a spirit.

So, he calls to the heavens and promises all the good things he’ll do if ever released: “Lord, forgive me, I wanna go home."

Suddenly, all five people heard a voice somewhere from deep within that spoke softly, "I know your story and I’ve watched you suffer. I will love you for you, not for what you’ve done or what you will become. I will love you for you… and will give you the love that you never knew.”

Every day we have a choice where to look for hope - in created things or in our Heavenly Creator. The world tells us to hope in money, luck, determination, relationships, skills, and our own skills.  God tells us to look to Him. He will never fail us. The hope He offers doesn’t rise and fall with changing circumstances. It is forever, solid and secure.

Father God, Your version of hope doesn’t promise to deliver our own definition of joy. It assures us that You will order the events of our lives to refine us and make us more like Your Son. Thank You for the promise of the deep and abiding love we crave. Amen

Kindness From Within

 “Do to others as you would like them to do to you." ~ Luke 6:31

When the U.S. closed its airspace soon after the attacks of 911, 38 planes carrying unexpected visitors from 95 countries, landed in rural Newfoundland. But for the residents of Gander, where travelers almost outnumbered the locals, making room for nearly 7,000 guests, along with 11 dogs, 9 cats, and 2 Bonobo apes seemed to be part of their genetic code.

While passengers and crew sat on the runway for over 24 hours as security officials searched each plane for potential terrorists, Newfoundlanders were already securing accommodations for the frightened, weary strangers.

All nonessential businesses and schools closed, allowing everyone in the community to help where needed. Schools, churches, government centers, and legion halls were converted into makeshift dormitories.

People spontaneously offered up spare rooms and hot showers in their homes, lent their cars and cell phones to complete strangers. Donations of so much food arrived that it had to be stored at the Community Centre’s ice rink. They even tracked down kosher food for Jewish passengers.

Local bakeries stayed open 24/7 to make fresh bread for the guests. Local pharmacists offered free prescriptions for those who needed refills and nicotine patches for smokers distressed by the airlines’ no-smoking mandates. Kids helped deliver food, clean sheets, and hygiene supplies. Some gave up their toys and games. Veterinarians cared for the animals left on board the planes.

The Newfoundlanders helped take everyone’s minds off of the horrifying attacks by providing entertainment to their guests, as well. They orchestrated tours of the town, dinners featuring local cuisine of stewed moose, bowling matches, and live concerts by regional artists.

More importantly, the kindness shown by the residents of Gander offered compassion and hope when it was needed most. That, there are places in the world where people can come together and respect and care for one another — regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation.

Five days later the 38 planes started departing the small rural community. The “plane people” did not forget their time in Canada once they arrived at their final destinations.

Passengers kept in touch with one another and their Newfoundland hosts by phone, made websites dedicated to their individual flights, and even traveled back to Gander for anniversaries of the attacks.

The passengers and crew of Delta Flight 15 created a scholarship fund for students in the Gander area. In the more than 20 years since 9/11, the fund raised over $1.5 million and helped 200 local students obtain a college education.

The horrors of 911 are behind us, but hatred remains. We need to be constantly reminded that good people still exist in this world - over 9,000 of them live in Gander, Newfoundland.

Lord Almighty, make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring Your love; where there is injury, Your healing power, and where there’s doubt, true faith in You.” (Attributed to St. Francis of Assisi)

Camp Aliceville

 “You shall love your neighbor as yourself." ~ Matthew 22:37-40

Did you know that during WWII there were over 500 POW camps on American soil? All but 4 US states housed over 425,000 (mostly German) POWs.

One such camp, in the sleepy farming town of Aliceville, Alabama, housed some of Hitler’s most notorious soldiers. The entire town turned out when the prisoners first arrived, eager to see exactly what kind of monstrous devils would disembark.

But when the train pulled up right along the highway and hundreds of German soldiers started pouring out, the townspeople’s reaction was anything but predictable. Far from the fiery horned devils they expected, they saw instead a bunch of young, scared, defeated kids, often seriously injured and disfigured from the war.

Something remarkable happened almost immediately at the POW Camp in Aliceville. The officers running the camp and the local townsfolk began treating the enemy combatants the same way they would want their own sons and brothers to be treated were they captured in the war.

Prisoners found fresh linens and shaving equipment waiting for them on their bunks. They ate well and were treated with dignity and respect.

Within a year the prisoners organized 3 different orchestras using instruments donated by local musicians. They opened a school where soldiers could learn anything from pottery to mathematics and various foreign languages. They played soccer every day.

Life was good for POWs in Aliceville. Said one German soldier: “We arrived there expecting hell but instead were greeted by heaven.”

Remember, this was at a time when Americans were being asked to ration and go without. So, when average Americans started hearing stories about POWs getting food and extracurriculars that they themselves did not have access to, public outcry began to swell.

As the war in Europe began to favor an Allied victory, American troops started liberating our own soldiers from German POW camps. They were horrified by the wretched, inhumane conditions that American POWs were subjected to.

Americans were infuriated.

Major General Archer Lerch who ran Camp Aliceville was called to testify before a very hostile Congress. He affirmed that they were simply following the Geneva Conventions that entitled all POWs the same quality rations, clothing, and housing as were afforded their host troops.

Then he went on to add: “We’re not going to let the enemy decide who we are as a country. We’re going to continue to treat enemy POWs well because Americans are decent people.”

“That’s the heart of Jesus’ teaching about loving our enemies- not because there’s anything objectively likable or lovable about them. Not because we expect reciprocity. But because of who we are: people who’ve experienced the unearned, undeserved love of God.”

That brought the congressional investigations to a close and silenced even his most vocal critics.

Loving God, we live in a fallen world, a world full of self-gratification, a world full of hurting people. That change can start with one person. Let that be me. Amen