I was headed home. It was pitch black. The dog came out into the middle of the street. There was no threat of me hitting him, but if he lingered long I was fearful that he would not make it to the other side. It happened so fast that it took me a couple of beats to think, “Do I know that dog?” We dog sat the previous weekend and the blur in the street looked like our friend’s dog.
I pulled my truck over in the next driveway and got out and called the dog’s name. The dog kept its head down and headed away from me. I could not tell if the dog was running from me, or just running. I still could not distinguish the dog’s identity. I called my friend. It went to voicemail. I got back in the truck and went after the dog. The dog looked scared and lost and I wanted to see if I could rescue it. I circled the block thinking I could get ahead of the dog. I kept picturing my friend frantically searching in our neighborhood, but this dog was a quarter of a mile from our homes.
I called back and this time got an answer. No, their dog was safe and in the home. They were not out searching in the night. I was relieved for them, but still concerned for the dog. Someone would be searching for this dog soon. I came back around the corner scanning the road and the houses for signs of the dog.
Then near the spot where I had first parked I saw a car and people out searching with flashlights. It was the owners and they were on the wrong side of the street. I drove over to them. “Are you looking for a dog?” “Yes!” they replied. I pointed and told them where the dog had run. I asked the dog’s name. They did not know. Then I realized that they were like me, trying to rescue the dog from the street. They headed down the street. I searched for a while, but could not find any more signs of the dog. I hope he made it home.
We are all on one team. Our goal is to get every home safe everyday. I met strangers in the dark and we instantly saw that we were willing to set down our plans and work together for a noble cause. Our world is swerving dangerously toward selfish isolationism and tribalism that forgets to see that every person is our neighbor, is loved by God and deserves to be treated with love. We have to be able to have conversations of restoring community spirit, serving each other, protecting each other. Most people just want to get home safely everyday. I bet you will see someone today that is feeling lost, that is feeling like that dog in the middle of the traffic. Be the person to stop and help them get home.