Rescuing Chelsea

by Macy Johnson

“If you see your brother’s donkey or his ox fallen on the road, 
do not ignore it. Help him get it to its feet.”

(Deuteronomy 22:4 NIV)

Sunday afternoon is my favorite time of the week.

After playing the piano for the weekly worship service I relax and read. On our dock with a library book I sensed my husband’s footsteps rapidly approaching. He handed me his heavy binoculars and inquired, “What do you see out there?”

One hundred yards from shore, a dog swam in circles, struggled to keep its head above water, fought for its life. Jeff ran to get the keys to his fishing boat while I lowered the boat-lift. I stood at the end of the dock and watched through the binoculars as his boat slowly approached the drowning dog.

Jeff leaned over, lifted the exhausted animal to freedom, and gently placed it into his boat. Our neighbor’s blind dog, Chelsea, had escaped from the pen several hours before, wandered down to the dock, and fell into the water.  

I am so thankful Jeff spotted the helpless dog in trouble and was able to rescue her in the nick of time. A few days later he received a thank you note - Chelsea had recovered and was doing well.

How often do we wander from our pen and fall into the water, blind, unable to escape? Like Chelsea, we are at the mercy of our Heavenly Father, who always comes to our rescue, oftentimes in the form of neighbors, friends, or family.

I thank my heavenly Father for the many times He has rescued me. I hope you will, too!