High Voltage Blog (by Terry Apple) Shadow, Our Protector Before coming to Velocity, we lived in a parsonage at the back of a church parking lot for 11 years. At Christmastime, it was a “partronage.” Our Golden Retriever had a significant handicap. He never knew who to protect us from. Shadow was our unfailing messenger, alerting us to any presence encroaching upon the borders of his family’s territory—man, woman, child, or bunny. With all the visitors and deliveries, he was especially tense during the Christmas season. One Christmas, our church staged a huge outdoor light display. Lights blinked and danced in-sync with familiar Christmas melodies. It was beautiful. In the center of all the choreographed light was a life-sized, lit-up nativity scene. A plastic Mary and Joseph guarded the little plastic Baby Jesus. We realized early that Shadow did not like these intruders on the property. He obviously felt they were a threat to his family, and he wanted them to move on – pack up their merriment, get on their plastic donkey, and hit the road. Each day they remained, Shadow became more and more agitated and obsessed with them. If there were cars in the lot, he would stay on our porch and stare them down. When there were no cars, he would make his way over to these figures, with the golden curls on his back standing straight up. We could not talk him out of barking at these big pieces of plastic. They were not plastic to him. They were a threat to his family. He was our loyal protector and nobody was getting to us without first going through him. Early one morning while it was still dark, I let him out. Daylight had not yet turned off the streetlights. The blast of cold air took my breath away. So did the beauty of the quiet winter morning. All was crisp and bitter, yet beautiful. I was captivated. There was little time to cherish the vision of moon-lit, diamond-laden snow, however. Shadow nearly knocked me off my feet bolting out the door. He didn’t even stop to potty. He made a bee-line to Joseph and obviously had a serious word with him. I could see it all from our porch, but I couldn’t hear what they were saying to each other. Knowing Shadow, I think I know what he said to Joseph. It probably went something like this: Shadow: I’m telling you one last time to get off this property. Joseph: Shadow: Take your woman and your baby and find somewhere else to squat. Joseph: Shadow: If you don’t leave willingly, I will force you out. He began barking at Mary and the baby. I had all I could stand. I finally yelled from the front porch, “SHADOW! He came to SAVE us!” Dear Jesus, Thank you for the plastic reminders this time of year, that you came and did something real that was so wonderful we can’t even comprehend it. We are the ones who were lifeless in the cold, until you came. We have all been like Shadow at one time or another, barking at you when we should be at your feet in deep adoration. Thank you for not treating us as our sins deserve or repaying us according to our iniquities. (Psalm 103:10) You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. (Psalm 86:5) Scripture of the Day: Isaiah 42:5-6 This is what God the Lord says—the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles. Song of the Day: Real, by Nicole Nordeman https://youtube/watch?v=aLQgnYxxMcM
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 14:14:57 +0000
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