Chapter 24 – Rare Kindness

God Who Holds Us

Luke 6:45

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”

Romans 12:17-18

“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

The snow was plentiful that year and the spring blossomed with all kinds of flora and fauna popping up and out seemingly everywhere. It was a time of discovery and challenge. Kaiyah and the boys were getting used to their new surrounding and enjoying the new wildlife visiting our home. Kaiyah and I were determined to get back to our mission hikes. It wasn’t the same at all as we had lots of residential homes between us and the next set of trails; and the dirt trails were often buzzing with the whirl of dirt bikes but we found our way to get back to it. The open fields were a welcome sight as well as the Canadian geese, meadowlarks, red-winged blackbirds, red-tailed hawks and ospreys soaring in the sky above, and even a few quails would greet us as we walked along. On many a morning I would hear the cock of a rooster crowing which tickled my heart pink and perked up Kaiyah’s ears. Kaiyah enjoyed sniffing out new areas but I could tell she would rather be on dirt and not concrete sidewalks. My husky was a trail dog for sure and for certain.

Peter diligently pursued work and finally, after several months, began his new career. He traveled often in his new position and that left me alone in our new home sorting through things and in the company of our furbabies. I had plenty to occupy my time with: house, home, pets, as well as projects I long wanted to attend to, and taking care of preps for my husband's deployments while doing my upmost to ensure he had no need to worry about us and to focus on the work at hand. We both had a lot to process from the aftermath produced by the difficulties prior to our move and the newness that was added to it.

As the months rolled by we found ourselves visiting some area parks, the greenbelt that travelled alongside a pleasant river but never was fully open for major walks, and raptor and wildlife preserves. Kaiyah did pretty well with those little jaunts and road trips. She was happy to effortlessly pop in and pop out of the SUV and direct us toward the best route to check things out. She was remarkably gentle and yet determined in leading our little “pack” trips. She was also respectfully submissive when we would prefer another route.

I began to notice on our travels and mission walks that people we saw often stayed away from us in great contrast to where we lived before. It was rather awkward at times as folks seemed almost afraid or uncomfortable, saying the craziest things. Not “hi”, or “hello” or even “what kind of dog is that?” Instead we would have shouts aimed at us ringing out like shots fired from random people we didn’t know. One of the ladies living in our neighborhood suddenly announced with disgust in her voice that her dogs didn’t like Kaiyah. We had never seen her or her dogs before so I was stunned out of my innocent happy thoughts of admiring the tall trees, deep green grass with little squirrels running about in a playful chase, and with Kaiyah trotting along next to me with her curlie tail bouncing in perfect time with her cadence. I thought to myself, “Lord, what’s going on here? What on earth? They don’t even know Kaiyah or me for that matter.” I chose to wish the lady and her two nice looking dogs a pleasant day. I prayed for her - and still do - as that wasn’t the last time she would show irrational or mean spirited behavior.

On another occasion a neighbor, a young lady, was so loud and brassy in her walk and tone with her dog alongside her she shouted, “We don’t play with that one!” “She doesn’t do anything all day!” Now Kaiyah and I were the only ones around so it had to have been directed at us. It was an unreal moment for us as she stomped off quickly only to do it again in the future. I continue to pray for that young lady as well. The weird encounters continued with them and many others along with the awkward hurtful comments… to both of us. There was even another lady who approached us with crossed arms and said: “She’s beautiful…, not you, the dog.” Well then... I thanked her quietly and added that Kaiyah was beautiful inside and out, a really good girl, and wished her a pleasant day. I am not one who fishes for compliments or even cares to be complimented, so that of course was very awkward to say the least. And yes, I pray for that lady too. My husky’s personality included a gentle sweet spirit and never aggressively behaved despite her past abuses and griefs. My Kaiyah Takota was cautious, friendly, and with a forgiving heart and so was I. No recompense, providing things honestly and purposing to live peaceably with all just as the Scriptures instruct.

The strange comments and anger outbursts aimed at Kaiyah in our new residential area (and sometimes aimed at me as well) of her demeanor and character were flabbergasting and disappointing in ways that are hard to even express. Even when going to dog parks this strange and unusual behavior and verbal commentary continued. It was intentionally hurtful, verbal bullying that she didn’t deserve and neither did I. We were friendly, respectful and careful for others, plain and simple. I had to invite the Lord in often to help with the conveyor belt, as Peter would say, of hurtful things. I was protective of Kaiyah and those encounters made me all the more so and wary of the continued sad and hurtful actions of others. Eventually it caused us to realize all the proud advertisements of the area we chose to live was not the “kind and friendly” area they said they were, at least in regard to us.

I held onto the Lord’s Promise and Purpose for bringing us to our new area and I pressed into Him. I prayed earnestly that the Lord would Hold me, to Hold us - and to show us more of Him despite all the ickies we were continuing to walk through.

How hurtful and misjudging of appearances and cruel people can be. Peter and I have tried to be discerning, neither judgmental nor critical of others. I know what those kinds of spirits can do to others and have known for most of my life. But I’ve always tried to believe the best of people. That was getting harder to do as the years and experiences would accumulate. Most of us have experienced this at some point and know this personally quite well. I’ve received my share of false accusations and bitter words and actions. And at times those words and actions were released with precision to cause as much harm as possible.

Thank God He Sees and Knows it all! He Is the Only Just Judge of the thoughts and intents of the heart and everything else, so I try to leave these things with Him. Words do hurt us and so do actions. For me, forgiveness is vital but not always easy, and choosing the “high road” in response. I was also aware I was still raw and needing healing and wholeness.

The Words of the Lord are Powerful and True. During that time Peter and I began broadening deep rooted studies in God’s Word. We shared our Bible times at home, on the road, over the phone, and often with all furbabies present and accounted for. This was one of the most important decisions we could have chosen to do as husband and wife, and for our sweet pets. We needed to hear from the Lord, to know what He had to Say, what was in His Heart, and for Him to Deal with us and those things, and well, everything Holy Spirit wants to Reveal. We are grateful to have the freedom to read God’s Word anytime, hallelujah!

We did have a couple of pleasant occasions. One included a gentlemen neighbor who would often be out taking walks with his ball cap on. He was an army veteran who had also moved in from out of state. He was a soft spoken fellow who was always approachable, hospitable to Peter and I, and said hello or wave to us whenever we would be out and about. He liked Kaiyah and would often ask about her if she wasn’t by my side when gardening or working on outside maintenance. He and his wife didn’t live far from us and we were thankful they were our neighbors. We pray for them too. The rarity of kindness and care they showed was surprising in contrast to the ugliness that we “walked into” or would “walk by.”

Kaiyah and I had established a good routine and made the most of our local area as much as possible, and yet, we both seemed a bit out of place no matter where we went - except on big trails full of wildlife and few people - and that is what we set out to find and explore. That is where we would both find joy and run free.

…Until we meet again…