| Several years ago a stray dog came shyly into our front yard. He was very timid and acted scared to be around anyone. Whenever I approached him, he fell down on his belly and kind of scooted across the ground instead of walking. Thus, I named him, "Scooter." Now, Scooter had obviously been beaten, probably to the point of being downright mistreated and abused. He rarely looked at me in the eyes, choosing to instead hang his head in defeat, always looking down. When I did catch a glimpse of his eyes, there was both sadness and fright hidden within. Scooter was so frightened and insecure that just walking his way made him tremble. In fact, when I actually came within reaching distance of him, he would often fall over on his back, thrust his feet into the air and start whimpering. It broke my heart to see him in such a condition. Someone had been very cruel to him and he was a hopeless wreck because of it. He was defeated. He had no happiness. He lived in fear, always watching behind him. Even when he slept, he seemed to never find any peace. I loved him immediately. And so, whenever Scooter was around, I made certain that I showed him some good, old-fashioned TLC. (Tender Loving Care) I would call to him in a kind, reassuring voice, letting him know that he could trust me. And I often picked him up into my lap and ran my hands over his head and down his back, just petting him. I told him, "I'm not going to hurt you, boy." It took some time to break down those walls of fear and insecurity that Scooter had built. It took an investment of time to show him that he had no reason to hold his head in defeat. It took an effort to re-establish his self-esteem (yes, dogs have self-esteem) and bring renewed confidence into his life. But, the day came when Scooter was no longer that shy, timid dog. He pranced around the yard and barked and leaped through the air. When I called him, he came running, no longer afraid. A wonderful transformation had occurred. You know, there are "Scooters" all around us. No, not dogs, but people who have been mistreated. People who are insecure and fearful because of past abuse - physical, verbal and emotional. They walk around with their heads bowed in defeat, and they think that they cannot trust anyone. And they walk shyly into the front yards of our lives. All they are looking for is someone to care for them, someone to reach out and show them the love of Jesus Christ. Who will take the time to break down those walls of fear and insecurity? Who will invest themselves to show that with the Lord there is no reason to hang their heads in defeat? Who will make the effort to re-establish someone's self-esteem and bring the confidence of Jesus Christ into someone's life? (Philippians 4:13) Will you? Christian, there are people in your pathway today who are hurting. They feel alone and unloved, insecure and fearful. Their lives are wrecked and in shambles. They fall down before you with their legs in the air, whimpering and crying for mercy. Do you see them? Take a close look at those around you, do you see them there? Show them TLC. Call to them in a kind, reassuring voice to let them know they can trust you. Pick them up. And share the love of Jesus Christ with them. And watch the Lord transform their lives. Jimmy D. Brown I |
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