Saving Willie

From the kitchen sink, I can look out the living room windows and see a sparkling blue lake.  I envisioned rowing around the lake and so began our quest, to find a canoe on Craig’s list.   Unfortunately, no one posted a canoe, so I placed an ad “Wanted Canoe or Kayak”.  I quickly got an email from a guy on the reservoir that wanted to sell his way too big 18’ foot canoe.   Somehow we roped it upside down on the top of my Honda Pilot with a major overhang.  We looked pretty funny coming through the Starbucks drive through with a big boat on our roof – but one must have a latte to celebrate this event.  We carried the boat to the lake (ok, Mike dragged it, it was too heavy for me).  We jumped in, paddle in hand and began exploring our 20 acre lake.   Oh no, our used boat had a leak, but nothing major.  We kept rowing.  

Three labs had jumped in the water to keep up with us; Willie (cinnamon lab), Cocomo (black lab) and Coco (neighbors brown lab).  They looked like sea lions gliding through the water effortlessly, their cute little faces breathing hard.   I had never seen the neighborhood from the angle of the middle of the lake; everything was so green and lush from recent rains.   I suddenly noticed Willie was splashing white water in the middle of the lake.  It looked as if he was tired and was just treading water.   We hurriedly turned the canoe around and pulled up next to Willie.  Mike tried to grab him, but Willie went under.  We were stunned – was Willie drowning?  Do dogs drown?  I didn’t know if I could go through losing another dog (having lost Millie to a truck last fall).  A desperate prayer went up – “God, please help Willie.  Tell me what I should do.”   Willie bobbed to the surface again looking distressed.   We swung the boat around to my end.  With supernatural strength, I thrust out one hand and grabbed Willie’s collar and another on his body and pulled up a 75 lb. dog into the canoe.  I held our trembling dog tight and assured him “everything was ok” as Mike rowed us to shore. 

Sometimes it takes a deep scary plunge in life to teach us a valuable lesson.  I learned all dogs can’t swim forever, especially dogs that aren’t full lab.  And I’m hoping Willie learned not to be too overconfident about his swimming skills.    God has a way of teaching two people a life lesson at the same time.   God also answers prayers.  He helped me to help Willie (even when I didn’t think it was possible).  Many times not in my own strength, but supernatural strength if that’s what it takes.  All we have to do is pray and believe He has heard our petition.  He is waiting to hear our requests but more than that, to have a conversation with us.   God has also given me a burden to help others in need this past year.  God provides us with the abilities and resources to help others but it’s our decision whether or not we want to help.  Where is your heart’s passion?  What makes your heart ache?  Who has God put on your heart to help lately?  My question is, why aren’t you doing it? 

Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it"—when you have it with you.  Proverbs 3:28

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?  James 2:15-16