Thunder Dog - Michael Hingson [44]
“There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God,” said Brother Lawrence. A lay brother in a Carmelite monastery in Paris, Brother Lawrence wrote The Practice of the Presence of God about maintaining a profound awareness of God moment by moment, no matter the situation.
On the ground in desperate flight from the collapsing tower is not the first time I prayed on September 11. I started praying up in the tower after the first explosion, listening for anything God had to say. Just as listening is the most important part of successful selling, it is also the most important part of prayer. It’s how I try to live my life, constantly asking, Am I doing the right thing? Is this what I’m supposed to do? Is this the right path to take?
Looking to God for direction is where Psalm 23 starts. Its first words are a simple statement of trust in God with “The Lord is my shepherd.” In fact, the whole psalm is one of trust, a vow to put oneself in the hands of the living God.
The psalm’s author, David, had been a shepherd in his youth, just like my father, so the psalm is very special to me. But the shepherd-and-sheep image also reminds me of the relationship between my guide dog and me. Everything hinges on Roselle’s initial acceptance of me as her leader. While she helps me in very important ways by keeping me out of holes and making sure I don’t walk in front of a speeding electric car (which doesn’t make much noise), it is ultimately my job to plan out our route and to direct her. If she doesn’t trust me as her shepherd and respond to my tugs on her harness or my verbal commands, our relationship can’t work.
Because Roselle and I are a team, I take care of her. I provide for her wants with food and water, usually in the evenings, in order to minimize her need to relieve herself during the day, especially during long days of air or train travel. She isn’t allowed to eat from the table at home or in restaurants. This is a constant temptation for her because many people would like to feed her, and I often have to turn down succulent bits of steak and chicken from well-meaning restaurant owners and servers.
Roselle’s fear of thunderstorms reminds me of my dad telling me about how fearful sheep are, afraid of anything new or unexpected. Sheep can’t sleep and won’t eat unless they feel safe and secure. They’re also afraid of fast-moving water, so it’s up to the shepherd to find quiet, comfortable places, green pastures, and still waters where the sheep can sleep, eat, and drink. During thunderstorms, Roselle’s safe haven was under my desk in the basement at home, her head on my feet. When the South Tower suddenly gave way and we were overtaken by the airborne dust and debris, we needed a sanctuary too.
Because Roselle trusts me and because we’ve worked together enough to become a team and to know each other’s habits, she listens to my voice. When I correct her, she stops and listens, trying to figure out what I want her to do. It’s the same with the shepherd. As the relationship grows, the sheep learn to follow his voice “in the paths of righteousness.” Then, when difficult times come and the sheep have to walk through dangerous situations, God is there, guiding.
When he worked as a shepherd, my dad used a rod and staff to guide and protect the sheep. I have my white cane and the guide dog harness instead. God uses more sophisticated and even mysterious ways to guide and protect, but even though I don’t always understand how he works, I am comforted and confident knowing that he is at work in my life.
When the day ends