One of the things I’ve learned over time is to be observant.  If you want to be a good communicator, you look at body language, facial expression, sound of the voice and any unusual quirks.  If you want to create a believable character as an actor you need to study that character and observe someone just like him.  Same is true when you’re writing. If you have a story to tell it should be three dimensional and lifelike.  When an artist takes up his brush, he is in command, but the subject he’s painting may not always turn out as planned, unless the artist has really clear eyes.  That ability allows him to paint in personality along with an image.

We go through life forgetting to look around and smell the roses.  Many years ago, when my children were still in high school, I took a part time job in our small town.  I’d drive the short trip each day and would always come upon the same fellow, riding his bike with his Golden Retriever leashed tightly to the handlebar.  This furry creature kept up with him and seemed to enjoy pulling him in his own direction, rather than letting the man follow his own.

There were days when the man walked the dog unleashed.  The pup would never go far from his master, except when the man threw a stick out ahead of him. He then scurried as fast as he could to retrieve it and return to the master’s side.  The scruffy looking fellow would pat him on the head and pass the stick again.

These two were inseparable.  You could tell that they cared deeply for one another.  Occasionally I’d seem them in the park.  The man would be eating a sandwich and sharing it with his sidekick.  The man seemed hungry, but the dog waited patiently for his portion.  His mouth began to salivate.  It was as if he could taste that sandwich before he even got some in his mouth.

There was no way of my knowing that the man was blind, but as I observed the two together, it became quite apparent that he was.  The dog had taken the place of his eyes and took the man where he needed to go and enjoyed his friendship.  The man relied on the dog for leading him.  The dog relied on his master for love and friendship. All he asked was a little sustenance once in a while.

If I had let that whole story go unnoticed, I would’ve missed out on the treasure within.  We all need someone to rely on when we need help.  These two depended on each other and had a strong bond.

We can depend on someone to help us when things are going bad, or we need a friend or confidante.  We have a straight line of communication to that One.  He invites us to be His own, because He loves us with an unconditional love.  Dogs seem to possess that same kind of love.  They’re forgiving, faithful, forget past mistakes, love us and bring us joy.  God loves us even more.  He never wanted man to be unhappy, anxious, lonely or desperate.

Give him a call the next time you need help.  All you need to do is pray.

“Certain periods in history suddenly lift humanity to an observation point where a clear light falls upon a world previously dark. ”  Anne Sullivan