Strays: “I was lost but now I’m found” -Luke 15

Perhaps this is news to you; perhaps it is not. Maybe you know exactly what I am talking about. If you live on a country road out in the county, then you know that you are likely going to have these random encounters with four-legged creatures we call “strays.” Stray is a pretty untechnical term but can loosely be defined as an unwanted, unclaimed, left-to-wander, dog. Many times these encounters involve several strays, a litter of unwanted puppies. You know how it works; an unwanted litter is born somewhere, and the pups are then driven to the country where they are put out on the side of the road, unclaimed, unwanted, and left to wander. This morning I had one of those encounters with two of the most precious, cutest pups I have ever seen. I had just exited my driveway and was heading down the road when I saw some movement in the ditch to my right. I was not sure what it was at first, but, as I passed by, I could tell it was two little, brown, striped (brindled) pups. Since I was already passing by when I determined what I was looking at, I now had a choice to make. Do I turn around and get involved with these strays, or do I pass on by and head in to work. Dilemma time? I thought about the weather forecast and the approaching storms and possible tornadoes predicted to be heading our way. I thought about the rain, the thunder, and the lightning, and how scared the little pups would be. I turned around.

When I got back to where the pups were, I stopped the car and got out. Initially the pups were a little skittish; who knows what their former encounters with these tall, two-legged animals called humans might have been like? I bent down, lowered my hand, and gave a gentle call, “here pup-pup.” They creped toward me, hugging the ground with their tails between their legs. It appeared to be an agonizing crawl for them. They crawled to me in both fear and hope: in fear of what could happen at the end of this dreadful journey and with a sense of hope of what might happen at the end of this journey. These pups were walking by faith. Like Peter in the boat, I had called them to me, and they had, in great terror, begun to take a few terrifying steps. Once I was able to touch and pet them, the tension eased, and they immediately began to attach themselves to me, walking where I walked and lying down on my shoes when I stood still. I gathered them up and put them on the floorboard of the back seat, fully expecting them to climb all over my car and most likely “do their business” here and there. I was wrong; they cuddled up with one another and fell fast asleep. They looked as content as a turtle on a log on a long summer day. Previously, they were lost, scared, and afraid, but now they had been found.

Almost Immediately the word “Strays” began to capture my heart and imagination. I at once knew that there was a significant spiritual lesson in this encounter. I began to think about the fact that I too was once lost, but now I am found.

Jesus once told some mis

guided Pharisees three stories about lost things. He told them about a man who had a hundred sheep, but had lost one of them. He reasoned that any decent shepherd would leave the ninetynine that were safe in the fold and go pursue the lost sheep until he found it. And when he found it, said Jesus, he would call all his

friends and have a great celebration over the lost sheep that had been found. He told the same story about a woman who lost a silver coin and also one about a father who had lost a son. The stories were all prompted by the fact that the Pharisees were offended that Jesus was hangingout with the “undesirables,” with what we might call “lost people.” Jesus reminded them that He came to “seek and save that which was lost.”

Here are a few thoughts this encounter stirred in me:

1. I am so thankful that there are no strays in God’s family. No race, class, or creed can separate you from the love of God. All are welcome at the table of Jesus.

2. In our time of need, I am thankful that Jesus came back to rescue us.

3. I am thankful that he has adopted me into His family.

4. I am thankful that I can find shelter under His wings.

5. I am thankful that he has redeemed me and given me an eternal home.

6. I am thankful that there is peace, security, and assurance in His presence and that he abides with me in green pastures and beside calm waters, where he invites me to rest.

Postscript -If you want to see these cuties, you can just checkout my Facebook page, where I posted some pictures. I would like to express my thanks to officer

Brooke Carpenter of the SPD who helped me with these pups. If you are interested in adopting them, the pups are now located at the Oktibbeha County Humane Society on Industrial Park Road. I left the shelter so thankful that there was a place I could take them, especially considering the weather forecast for the coming evening. If this tale speaks to you, might I suggest you make a donation to either:

• The Oktibbeha County

Humane society, which helps lost dogs find a loving family. I’m sure they could use the funds.

• Your church, which helps lost people find a loving home. I’m sure they could use the funds.

Thankful that the Lord reached down and rescued me,