I want to tell you about a real hero tonight; not the one getting all the press in the media for his efforts at the peace-making process.
My hero sits alone this evening, on the front porch of her home in a rocking chair, reeling from the extreme after-effects of having been brutally attacked by a neighboring dog on Monday morning. After returning home from taking her two young children to school, she noticed the dog on her front porch. Normally, he was chained two doors down, but today he enjoyed open range in the neighborhood.
Wanting to help out her neighbors, my friend went inside to retrieve her rain coat with the idea of walking the dog back home. When she returned to the porch, the dog was gone. She continued down the sidewalk to knock on the owners’ door in order to inform them of their dog’s “loosened” estate.
She never made it. Instead, the dog leaped out from his hiddenness and began a ten-minute assault on her fragile frame. She was no match for his 130 pounds. He tossed her like a rag doll, mutilating her flesh while she screamed out her resistance. The owners of the dog emerged to their front porch, shouting out the dog’s name but never stepping a foot in her direction to help. Another neighboring man ran to her aid with shovel in hand and began to beat back the vicious animal.
When the police arrived, the dog aimed his attack in their direction. Fortunately, they were well armed and rectified the situation in swift order. His attacking days are over, but the wounds he inflicted remain. Long after her flesh has healed, long after the process of reconstructive surgery is over, the wounding my friend has received will write as scars into her history. I imagine the pain from Monday’s attack will live in her memory for a long season.
As I sat with her on the porch this evening, I saw her strength displayed through her words, despite the flowered memorial erected to the dog just feet away from her front lawn. It sickened me to see it and reminded me of how shaded the lenses have become in our society. How we prize self-preservation over another’s pain and suffering. How callous we sometimes are in our blatant disregard for our brothers and sisters who live next door, and who, occasionally need our shovels instead of our shouts.
Where are the hands that are willing to get dirty on behalf of someone in need? Where are the hearts that are willing to bleed so that a neighbor can go free from the vicious clenches of the enemy? How far are we willing to go to save the life of a human being? Is our shouting enough? Is our wishing it wouldn’t happen enough? When evil comes knocking at a neighbor’s door, do we retreat to the shadows of our dens and our morning talk shows, or do we launch an attack of our own despite the risks involved?
I don’t have to tell you what my friend would do. Time and again, she’s proven to these neighbors and others her kindness and her desire to live in community with them. As a single mom, life has sometimes been an uphill struggle. We share some common ground, and I know how hard these years can be. How challenging life can live while going it alone and being expected to do it all … to be it all, for everyone.
It’s a confusing mess, most days. A tireless reach into the deep storehouses of emotional, physical, and spiritual reserves in order to keep the wheels turning, the bills paid, and the lunches packed. There are countless hours of fretting over children, worrying over plumbing, and hoping beyond hope that the tires will last another thousand miles before needing replacements. The days start early and end late, and the doors stay locked … carefully guarded for fear of an unseen enemy who lurks just beyond the safety of a latch.
As single moms (and speaking as one who used to be one) we rarely score brownie points with society, church included. In fact, we mostly score their pity, or worse yet, their rejection. After all, we’re half of what we used to be. We blew it. We screwed it up and didn’t stay where we were supposed to stay. Never mind the other half who did his part in breaking the commitment. No, as single moms we carry it all, and it’s not fair; most days it hurts like crazy and calls for a strength beyond our capabilities.
Some days, like today, it calls for even more. A strength beyond that strength, and I am telling you I witnessed that strength tonight in my friend; I was moved to a place of awe and worship in my own spirit for the gift of God’s abiding presence and comfort despite man’s neglect along those lines. Tonight, my friend rocked on her porch while nursing the pains of her wounds that stretched from head to toe and back again. She’s got a rough road ahead of her, but she’s got an awesome God to carry her.
I don’t think she fully knows just how strong he can be, but I do, and he is already ministering to her in ways she never expected. Her faith is growing; she can’t see it now, but she’ll see it soon. And when she does, she’ll be in awe of the way she was able to endure her suffering and to emerge on the other side of it with a measure of grace and dignity that leaves, even her calloused neighbors, stunned and shamed with regret.
No one else may be handing her a prize tonight, but I, for one, think she deserves more than she’s been given. Her story is worthy of a headline (not the one printed in the local paper this past Tuesday morning). No, her story is worthy of far greater … a living memorial written by the very hand of her loving Savior. He’s writing it now, and one day soon, she’ll be the recipient of his commendation, and all of this mess that now serves as her life will make sense and will read as a masterpiece worthy of the throne room of heaven.
I love you friend. I love you single moms. You hang in there, and most importantly, you hold tightly to our Jesus. He loves you and has an extraordinary plan for your tomorrows. And should you ever need more than a shout, I’ve got my shovel ready and sitting on go. Together, with our God, we’ll fight the enemy, and we will win. It’s his promise to us. It’s my promise to you.
You are my noble hero this night, and your strength has called my heart to worship and to praise. Sleep well, brave friend, knowing that tomorrow awaits your courage. God created the morning for warriors like you. Go forth in the power that is yours because of your rightful inheritance as a daughter of the Most High God. Stand strong; remain vigilant, and fix your eyes on the horizon up ahead. Your salvation is closer now than he has ever been. As always…
peace for the journey,
~elaine
Once again…wow! Hugs to your neighbor…and big hugs to you as well!
Elaine – How my heart hurts for your friend. I will be praying for her recovery inside as well as out.
And when my mind starts to drift and wonder, "Lord, where were you?" He will nudge me back and remind me He is there. He is there. He is always there. Man, this life is hard. Thank God… He is there.
It is a sad state of affairs when we take the time to make a memorial to a vicious dog, yet refuse to take the time to reach out to the one in true need.
In the area we live in, a few years ago, a mama mountain lion attacked and killed a jogger. This woman was a mother, and was apparently too close to mama lion and her baby cubs when she took her morning run…when the news story hit the airwaves that this mountain lion was killed by authorities leaving behind orphaned baby cubs, more money came pouring in for the baby lions than for the now motherless children.
And just in case we still can't relate to the above story, our church had sign-ups to have our annual "Be the Church" event. More people signed up to help out with a foundation that takes care of abused horses, than signed up to meet with the elderly.
Heartbreaking.
This is by far the most powerful post I have read in a long time. Your neighbor is an amazing woman… The neighbors that owned the dog – I hope they are in jail…
Many prayers of healing and peace.
Love to you
Kelly
http://www.ivebecomemymother.com
Such an awesome, beautiful blessing your neighbor is. May God watch over her, and love on her sweetly, and you also dear one.
There is much here in one post. I will be ruminating awhile… Callousness, undeserved pain, bravery with a shovel, self preservation, rejection, unfairness, courage…wow!
I will be praying for your friend. One who is healing physically and mentally. I will say thanks for the man with the shovel and the police with their guns. I will pray for those who stay on porches and lay flowers for dogs but ignore the neighbor that is hurt. I will pray for myself and those around me – to have the eyes to see and courage to grab the shovel.
Shalom,
Denise
I feel so sad for your brave friend! We live in a warped society, that values pets and animals more than human life. I am in a Bible Study in Daniel, and we have been reminded that, though it doesn't always seem like it, God is with us even when we are going through the fire, just as He was with Daniel's 3 friends. He didn't allow them to avoid the fire, but He was there with them in it.
Your friend is a very courageous woman. Blessings on her and on you today. What a thought-provoking post. Donna
Elaine, you have stirred my heart once again. Ashamed for too often neglecting the handling of my "shovel". Thank you for noticing true heroes and sharing their lives with us.
Praying for your friend, and for you, as you minister to her wounds with the ointment of friendship, love, mercy and grace.
Love ya,
Joy
Your writing always make me stop and think.
Elaine,
I'm glad that I stopped in, because I couldn't agree more. My heart beats with yours this very day…and I'm thankful that God knows who truly deserves the words…hero. May we continue to strive to bring Him glory and honor; not self; as well as living to please Him not man.
I'm learning….sometimes I honestly haven't arrived yet, but I'm making headway.
Lovingly,
Yolanda
I will pray for your friend. What a difficult providence, that leaves us with more questions than answers. I also rethought the world's ideas of "peace" on my blog last night- so different from our Prince of Peace. May your friend be met today by God's sustaining grace, that always flows when it is needed. Thank you for sharing a need.
It is so sad to see where our society is today – when animals are more important and valued than human life! Will be praying for your friend…
What a story! How beautifully you tell it! Has your brave neighbor seen it? (For that matter, have your callous neighbors seen it?)
Oh, I, too, hurt for your precious friend. I am so sorry. She must be in such pain. I know what the enemy meant for evil, however, the Lord can turn to praise.
Still, it is a disgraceful testimony of the condition of our culture.
May the Holy Spirit be ever so near your dear sweet friend through the whole healing process.
Thank you for the "wake up" call, and thanks for sharing this very moving post.
Blessings,
Andrea
Elaine, this is one of the most touching things you have ever written in my opinion! It not only shows strength…of you neighbor….but admonishes us as Christians to be MORE than just bystanders to our brothers and sisters in need!
Thanks so much for sharing these thoughts with us. Prayers go out to your neighbor!
Marilyn….in Mississippi
So sorry to hear of this vicious attack on your neighbor. So thankful for the one who came to her aid. Unbelievable that the owners didn't act to save her… May God continue to strengthen, help, and heal her…
I am so sorry this happened to your sweet friend. I am so glad that she has you, Elaine.
I'll be praying for her, and you as you minister to her.
This story about your friend broke my heart. I'm so sorry for what happened to her, and the neighbors who stood there and watched. Praise God for the brave neighbor who fought for your friend's life!
It is indeed a sad state of affairs when an animal's life is revered above a human's.
Through this horrible event, may God's glory be revealed.
Praying for your friend…
What a compelling post. It is heartbreaking that we often stand back and watch instead of grabbing the shovel. Lord have mercy! This post should go in the "favorite" list. Powerful.
Hi, Elaine,
I've not been able to visit as often I would want to, but whenever I do, your posts never fail to touch my heart deeply.
It is people like your friend, the unsung heroes of our modern day world, who truly deserve a peace award. Of course she will never make it to the list of nominees… but I agree with you, she will always be a hero to us who know of her. She went beyond mere intentions to be an agent of peace…she could have died in the process, had not a kind neighbor come to her rescue.
Thank you for taking time to write about this.
In our own way, we can pass on peace awards to the more deserving. You just did!
Praise God for you. Praying for your friend. May her recovery be quick.
Love
Lidj
Hugs and prayers go out to your friend.
I teach kindergarten Sunday School and we are all the time talking about being a "neighbor." What is sad is in today's world, we are taught a neighbor can only be a friend.
Elaine – beautiful and humbling thoughts. You have portrayed your friend's story in an incredibly poignant and meaningful way. I am praying for her, and other single mothers.
Unbelievable ~ yet sadly not much of a surprise. I'd better sign off before I state opinions in a most un-Christianlike manner.
Please give your friend a hug from me far, far away in Sunny.
Oh my dear. Oh my dear.
Please tell this sweet and beautiful daughter of the King that we are praying for her.
I am so sad to read this. I know Jesus is with her, body and soul, and He weeps with her. I weep as well.
I pray.
Beautifully said Elaine. blessings, marlene
Oh, that poor woman! What a tragedy that people are so cold-hearted like her neighbors were. Could you give her a hug from me?
Elaine, as the father of your friend, your words really helped me and our family…I know that my daughter was touched, as we all have been.She could have gone to her work assignment and left the dog to roam but she would never have done that… instead tried to help and get it back to the owners as she had never seen the dog off its "lead"…good will come and she will become a stronger person…it will take time as the pain and vision of the attack still lingers.
Thank you Elaine!
Johnny
I've had another thought this week about my friend. It goes something like this…
It occurs to me that in many ways, that my friend saved the life of her own children by standing in their place last Monday. Who can even begin to fathom what might have happened had her kids been home. Perhaps God saw something that we couldn't…a down the road that might have been unbearable for us all. Just a thought…
I am literally speechless. What a powerful post; what a powerful testimony her life holds. I will definitely pray for her and her family. And even the thoughtless neighbors.
I've missed you Elaine. I'm so glad to get together with you again via blogland!
Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca