As I walked Mollie, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, and Charlie, a Chihuahua, together this morning, I wish I knew what they were thinking. Whatever I might think, I doubt I would be even close to the truth. The answer to my questions about their thoughts would only play out in their actions and be seen after the fact. Knowing this did not stop me from watching, wondering, and musing.
“Sis, wait up! I cannot walk as fast as you can. Besides, there are interesting smells that you missed back here.”
“Charlie, get your legs in gear. I am in charge. You are a guest on this walk. Keep up or you will not be invited next time.”
“But Mollie, you missed the smells!”
“Charlie, you are missing the bigger picture. We have more places to go. We have many things still to do. Besides, we are on a leash and I hate being jerked forward. It hurts!”
“What just happened?”
“I do not know. I suggest you do not worry about it. Life goes on, let’s go on.”
The conversation between the two sputtered, stopped, and then reconnected as if it has never taken a break. Whatever I might think, it was clear that they were moving with the flow, pressing on to the next opportunity. Occasionally they would be caught up in something together. Their conversation was always silent, not one growl, bark, or other sound passed between them that I could hear.
I found myself replaying the process with an old story as characters. When a crowd turned on two men, “they beat Paul unconscious, dragged him outside the town and left him for dead. But as the disciples gathered around him, he came to and got up. He went back into town and the next day left with Barnabas for Derbe.” (Acts 14.20)
Then and now, I needed to let the process play out. Life was and is talking. I do not always understand, yet listening is always the place to start. Life wants to tell me something. Truth is here to help me.
