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| Creek, named for my two homes, Mill Creek and Buies Creek |
On days that I have the time, I
enjoy taking our dog, Creek, to the park so that we both can stretch our legs a
bit beyond the confines of our home. Creek is an eight-month-old black lab mix
who is full of energy. He loves to run at full sprint when he can, and I
certainly enjoy watching him do so. This past Saturday afternoon, Creek and I
went to a local park in town, though a different one from where we typically
go. This park has a recreation baseball field with an enclosed fence that I
thought would be perfect for him to get all of his energy out in a safe environment
since we lack a dog park in the area.
Creek
darted around the outfield chasing one of his beloved balls and frantically rolled
in the grass to his heart’s delight (and mine). After about 30 minutes, I was
ready to head home, when Creek noticed a group of birds out in left field. Of
course, as is his nature, he took off , and a comical scene ensued of a dog
doing his best to catch the impossible. I smiled at the scene, but my joy
quickly turned to horror as I noticed that there was a gap in the fencing where
the third baseline met the left field fence that I had not noticed when we
arrived. Unfortunately, Creek did, and he saw an opportunity to continue the
chase of the birds who were taking flight.
This field
is located beside a fairly busy four lane road that serves as a major entry
point into our community’s downtown area. I watched in horror as Creek bolted
out of the fence and up the embankment in pursuit of his prize. His path took
him directly towards the road. I pursued as fast as I possibly could, screaming
at the top of my lungs with such veracity in a desperate, but futile, effort
for him to “STOP!” I could hardly bare to keep my eyes on him as he approached the
road with six to seven cars traveling from both directions. Creek entered the
road just so, that the cars passed in front of him as he crossed, nearly
missing his small thirty-pound frame. He was none the wiser of what he had done
until he had reached the other side, and only then did he realize his location
in relation to mine.
Creek
then retreated back to our original side of the highway, and for the next five
minutes continued to run with a reckless abandon, all along I was attempting
everything I could to simply get him to stop so I can return him to safety. Eventually,
he tired and walked to my car, and hopped in the front seat as he so often does,
the ordeal finally over. As I sat down and leaned against my car, I was struck
by the quickness of my breath, the pounding of my heart, and the pain I felt in
my head and abdomen. I was shocked at just how petrified I had been. Later after
we had returned home, and the adrenaline had subsided, I began to feel an
extreme scratchy soreness in my throat, a pain I had never experienced in such
a way before. Long-story short, according to my speech pathologist spouse, I
had strained my vocal cords, and now they and my throat were inflamed as a
result.
As I
type this, it is 4:00 AM on Monday morning, and I cannot sleep because of the
severe irritation in my throat. It is difficult to speak, and at the behest of
my wife, I am chugging water and popping honey-infused throat drops like a kid
with a PEZ dispenser. All of this discomfort and irritation, a small yet aggregating
consequence as a result of my desperate screams for our beloved family pet to
simply stop, so that he would be safe from harm.
In my attempts
at sleep, I could not help but think of those who had given their voices to
much greater calls for stopping injustices of all forms in order to bring
safety and healing. Today is an appropriate day for such reflection as our
nation stops to commemorate and celebrate the life and work of the Rev. Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. He, along with so many other wonderful saints gave their
voices yes, but so much more, to achieving the dream of a land of equal opportunity
for all people, no matter their race. That dream has now been continually built
upon to include all those who are marginalized and delegated as something less
than equal (women, LGBTQ, poor, etc).
9 Love
should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what is good. 10 Love
each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to
each other. 11 Don’t hesitate to be enthusiastic—be
on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord! 12 Be
happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote
yourselves to prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of
God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home. 14 Bless
people who harass you—bless and don’t curse them. 15 Be
happy with those who are happy, and cry with those who are crying. 16 Consider
everyone as equal, and don’t think that you’re better than anyone else.
Instead, associate with people who have no status. Don’t think that you’re so
smart. 17 Don’t pay back anyone for their evil
actions with evil actions, but show respect for what everyone else believes is
good. – Romans 12: 9-17 (CEB)
I am
reminded how that when speaking up for what is right and just, that so often it
is met with attempts to silence such words. There are sacrifices that so often
come as a result. This is a reality that is not lost on God, as God
demonstrated the greatest sacrifice in allowing Jesus to die for our
shortcomings in order that the relationships between God and humanity could be reconciled.
The words offered up in spite of the
opposition are indeed holy ones. Words of hope, love, grace, acceptance, and
affirmation. Words that are not of this world, but are Kingdom words. So today
I give thanks for the ministry of Dr. King, and all those who have given much in
offering their voices for what is right. I am encouraged by the living of so
many who do the good work for those who are marginalized in our world to go and
do the likewise. May their voices not go unheard, because in them, we hear the
voice of the one, true loving God. And may we not only hear that voice, but
listen to it, and allow it to become the very words we speak as well.
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