My neighbor Vivian and I walk a few days a week early in the morning. We always take the same route around the neighborhood, about 3 miles or so. Vivian’s dog, Frodo, comes along with us. Frodo is a small, long-haired dog who looks cute and cuddly but looks can be deceiving. I personally have never had a problem with him, but he sounds like a demon-possessed when we walk past other people and turns into a ferocious animal when he sees other dogs. I have concluded that Frodo may be a little “intelligence challenged”, or he is extremely self-confident because he behaves the same whether the dog he wishes to attack is small enough to beat or large enough to eat him as an appetizer. Vivian is a very conscientious owner who cleans up after Frodo and keeps him far enough away from temptations so there is no trouble.
Frodo does a great job of keeping up with us considering his legs are about the length of my hand. I feel sorry for him in winter because he gets snow balls on his legs that can begin to weigh him down. During the summer his fur is kept closely cropped so he usually doesn’t get too hot.
Last week the temperature at 5:00 a.m. was 83 degrees and the humidity was about 99.9%. The air was so thick, it was difficult to breathe. Frodo raced up the hill the way he always does, he tried to chase bunnies, like he normally does. He even growled a few times at other walkers, like he usually does. About ¾ of the way, Vivian called for me to hold up as Frodo circled around the grass. She pulled a plastic bag from her pocket, ready to clean up anything he left behind. Frodo had another idea, though. He wasn’t scouting a good area to relieve himself, instead he spread both sets of paws out to the side and laid out in the grass with his stomach flat, put his head in the grass and refused to move as he panted. Vivian and I, feeling the same way as Frodo but unwilling (or unable) to lie down, gave him a few minutes to catch his breathe, but she reminded him, “You are the one that insists on going for a walk with us. I will not carry you home.” She tugged at his leash and Frodo eventually got up and finished the walk, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the only moving around he did that day.
There are so many days I feel like doing what Frodo did, just lie down and give up. I get tired and frustrated and scared and it would be so easy…too easy…to go into my bedroom, shut the door, collapse onto my bed and bury my head in the pillows. Like Frodo, I am blessed to have a Master who knows exactly what to do to encourage me. Whether He tugs at chain a bit or gently reminds me that it’s time to try again, He is there. The difference is that He does carry me, more times than I care to admit! My Master also provides me other forms of encouragement: family; friends; clergy; prayers; and while I may bark at some and attempt to chase away others, I know they are put into my life to keep me from sitting by the side of the road watching life go by.
Hebrews 10:24 reminds us, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
Next time you see someone giving up, gentle pull them up, walk with them. The journey will be so much easier together!
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