Rector’s Update: finding a way home

Dear Restoration,

My dog ran away.  

Can you believe the irony of it? After preaching in my sermon on Sunday that we have a fenced yard because if he ever got out, he would be gone forever…  and then the very next day.  He ran.  Fast.  I saw him go and within seconds, he had turned a corner and was out of sight.  My kids and I spread out across the neighborhood on bike and in van, but he had vanished.  We couldn’t find him anywhere.  I posted ‘lost dog’ with a cute picture of him on Next Door.  I got a couple heart and tear face emojis but no help on where he was.

Finally, the kids and I regrouped at home.  I prayed that the dog would come home.  And the phone rang.  It was Terry, whom I had never met before, but who had just met my dog.  Terry lives about 3 miles(!) from my house.  My dog had been on a flat out, 45 minute sprint and didn’t get tired until he got close to Falls Church.  Now, he was sitting in her backyard and Terry asked if I would like to come get her.  I said I would be right over.  And then I sent Bennett.

That was a painful 45 minutes of stress and regret.  I yelled at myself for not being more careful and vigilant with the leash-  lots of shame-filled-stupid-head-self-talk.  My kids and I were worried sick that he would be hit by a car, for we know he loves to bark and chase a passing truck-  and maybe he would think this was his chance and finally take a shot at grabbing a bumper…  and be crushed.  I was embarrassed that I had to tell the entire Next Door universe that I couldn’t take care of my dog. And there was that irony of having JUST PREACHED ABOUT THIS VERY THING.

Kind of ruined my day off.  

But Terry. 

Terry saw a dog, tired and worn out, wandering without an owner, walking without a leash.  Terry thought, ‘something’s off, the dog needs help.’  My dog, being friendly, gave her a wag and a sniff.  Terry led him into her fenced(!) back yard.  Terry wrote down my number, which was on his collar.  Terry called me…  and began with, ‘My name is Terry.  I live near Falls Church.  I don’t know if you know that your dog is lost…’ 

“Terry! Thank you for calling.  Yes!  We have been looking for him everywhere.  We have no idea how he got all the way to you, but I am so glad that he did.  Thank you for grabbing him.  Thank you for holding him.  Thank you for calling me.  We are on our way. Thank you, Terry.”

Tonight, Restoration is partnering with Navigators 20s (under the leadership of Anne Cregger) to host an event at Bar Taco in Ballston called Pints and Perspectives. This is a chance to ask a question about anything and to hear a Christian perspective.  So many of the questions we have about life come back to–  What happens if I run?  How far can I go?  Will anybody find me when I am gone? Will anyone notice that I am tired and worn out? Does anyone care?  Christianity has a deeply satisfying answer about a God who sees us, has never forgotten about us, who came for us, and holds us, and brings us home. I am looking forward to telling it.  
 
I won’t be talking about my dog tonight, but I will tell lots of stories about the God who seeks us out and offers us abundance within the boundaries of His love.

We are excited to announce that the event is full.  If you rsvp’d, we have a spot for you.  And if you are bringing a friend, we have a spot for that person too.  Promise. It appears that the space will be packed, and that is so encouraging!  If you have not rsvp’d, we need to ask that you wait for the next one.  Please pray for the questions that will be asked and that the answers will land well in heart and mind. 

You are a great church.
Thanks for seeing those who need to know they are seen.

-David