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| Another walk with Bay |
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It is a beautiful fall day here in southern Maryland. Just a hint of color in the leaves as they move with the afternoon breeze. The ground is still moist from last night's rain. I decide to take a break from the day and go for a walk through the woods with my dog. As I walk, I think of all the things that have been happening in my life.
Bay and I haven't been to the beach as much as we would like through the summe r. We like it best when we can have the beach to ourselves. He concentrates on his retrieving and I can concentrate on my relationship with God. We can't do that in the summer. Way too many distractions - families having picnics, jet skis coming and going, teens doing what teens do (and sometimes what they shouldn't do). With all this activity I find it hard to control Bay's curiosity and very hard to focus on my God. Still I look forward to the cooler months when we can get our beach back to ourselves.
Through the summer we have spent more time in the woods. Bay gets to play in the water, but it is a muddy creek that crosses through our woods and into the Chesapeake Bay. We have some beavers that like to build dams which make the creek deeper in spots. Bay loves to dive into those pools and chase whatever it is that is in there. I wonder what the beavers think as they hide in their  dens. Today Bay is very interested in one beaver dam. He walks on top of it. I suspect the beaver is under the wood because I see Bay's ears perk as he stiffens his shoulders and sniffs the air just above the dam. Then, in a flash, he dives into the water. He goes under the water. All I see is his tail sticking up out of the water. It makes me start to laugh because I know he wants to chase the beaver, but the beaver is smart enough not to move.
When he comes out of the water, he turns and looks at me. He is soaking wet with a combination of water and mud all over his face. I start laughing at him. He whimpers and stands right next to me looking at the beaver dam. In some way I think he is hoping I can help him get the beaver. I turn around and find a large stick. I throw it. Bay totally forgets about the beaver as he dashes across the reeds and water to find the stick. He emerges from the reeds a few minutes later holding his head high with the stick in his mouth. It is what he does best - retrieve things. Simply part of his nature and when he is doing it, he is happy.
I find an old log and sit down. Bay lays down beside me. I soak in the surroundings. There are fewer places so peaceful. I am so grateful to live in such a place. My mind races back to a discussion we had a church on Wednesday night. Pastor had challenged us to be an influence where we are. He asked us to think about people who had been an influence in our lives. It doesn't take power or authority to have influence. It doesn't take money to have influence. Although both of those do provide an opportunity for influence, they are not required. No, we can have an influence in the lives we touch day to day. We discussed how Tabitha had significant influence because she made coats and clothing for people. Her influence plus God's miracle led many people to the Lord.
9:36Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 9:37 And it came to pass in those days, that she fell sick, and died...And Peter arose and went with them...they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Tabitha made, while she was with them. 9:40But Peter...kneeled down and prayed; and turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 9:41 And he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 9:42And it became known throughout all Joppa: and many believed on the Lord.
What a story! She had influence because she loved others and showed it by making them clothes and coats. When God raised her from the dead, word spread and many believed in the Lord. Oh that our lives would be so powerful!
As I sat there on the log, my mind raced through all the people who have been an influence in my life, and there have been many. For some reason, my mind locked on Russ Doty. I think that was his name. Russ made an impression on my life that I remember today even though he was only in my life for a couple of weeks when I was 13. Let me explain.
When I was 13, I went to Philmont Boy Scout Ranch in New Mexico. As a kid, I hiked a lot and did a lot of camping with the Boy Scouts. I enjoyed that time eventually becoming an Eagle Scout. I don't recall all the details of that trip. I think we had about 15 kids and maybe 3 adults. Each day was filled with hiking through the desert, on the cliffs, and over some of the mountains. Each night we would camp and cook meals. We carried everything we needed on our backs including our food. For a few days we also had to carry water. I was one of the food carriers which meant my pack was getting lighter every day. I liked that. I hadn't thought of that when I volunteered to carry the food. I just thought I was in better shape than most, so carrying an extra 30 pounds of food didn't seem difficult to me. It wasn't.
As a kid I was pretty much a loner. Never seemed to fit in to any group. I was probably closest to fitting in with the scouts, but only when we were away from everything like at Philmont. Everyday our team ended up in two groups - one that hiked fast and one that hiked slowly. I was always in the fast group. We would always get to the next camp a good hour or more before the others. We usually had time to take a nap or go exploring. Even then, I liked exploring in the woods. Russ Doty was one of the fast hikers too. He was a year older than me. We ended up as hiking buddies - we were taught to always have a buddy.
One day our hike was through an area called Turkey Creek Canyon. The hike took us through a  desert valley in the morning, then we had to climb the south side of some steep cliffs. Then we would hike along the ridge into a very beautiful valley. The entire hike was 18 miles that day. We had been warned that the climb up the cliffs was rough and in the heat of the day, we needed to have extra water with us. We took extra water. We still didn't have enough.
Our group made it up the cliffs by noon which was our goal, but it was extremely hot that day. Walking on the top of the ridge was nice, but there was a hot wind and we were exposed since there were no trees higher than us. We kept going over small knolls thinking "just over the next one and we will be there". The map indicated otherwise. We had seven miles of full exposure to the sun and wind. We were all getting very tired. When we would stop we would wonder how the slower group was doing. We realized this day was really taking a toll on us. Our breaks started coming every hour. First for five minutes, then ten, and pretty soon we would walk for a half hour and stop for a half hour.
I was getting severely dehydrated. During our breaks I would try to crawl under some scrub brush to get out of the sun and the wind. We were all out of water. Finally, with only a little over a mile left before we would start down the ridge into the valley, I collapsed. I had no more strength. I was too dehydrated to continue. I lay there on the ground wanting to fall asleep. The other guys pressed on, but Russ stayed with me. Russ went around the area and picked cactus which he brought to me and placed pieces in my mouth. I would suck them dry in seconds. He continued to  do this until I felt like I could walk. When I was able to walk, I put my arm around his shoulders and he put his arm around my waist supporting some of the weight of my pack. He walked with me for the last mile and a half. The guys cheered as we walked into camp. There was a well there and they had a bunch of water prepared for me.
It rained that evening in the valley. The valley was so green compared to the desert we had just came through. I took a picture of a beautiful rainbow that day. I have long sense lost the picture, but I remember it well.
Russ taught me several things that day. First, always have a buddy and never leave them behind. This became a lesson that was easily used later in my life when I was in the military. Second, it is a good thing to ask for help when you need it. I was a loner and had a mindset that I didn't need anybody to help me do anything. While that may indeed be true for a lot of things in life, that day in Turkey Creek Canyon, I learned that I needed someone to help me. It is not a shameful thing to ask for help. Sometimes just a little help will get you to your destination. Third, when help is offered, take it. Later in life when I would need help, sometimes pride would slip in and make me think I shouldn't take it. However, I remember Russ and Turkey Creek Canyon. I could have been stubborn and not taken his help, but that would have been the wrong thing to do. Russ' help influenced me that day and has influenced me throughout my life.
As I sat there on that log in the woods, I notice Bay is snoring by my feet. A woodpecker lands on the tree directly in front of me. He is nervous and scuttles all the way around the tree and flies off quickly. I say a prayer of thanks for Russ. I don't know what ever happened to him. I asked that God bless him for giving like he did so many years ago.
I stand up and Bay jumps to life. I throw a couple more retrieves for him, then we head back to the house. I have to wonder if I am an influence to people around me. Am I close enough to people to know when they are getting dehydrated in life? Am I willing to stop my plans for the day and go cut cactus for someone in need? I know what the answers are, and I don't like them. I promise myself that this is an area I will work on. I ask for God's help in this as well.
I get back home and pour a big glass of ice tea. I give Bay a bone. The two of us sit on the front porch enjoying this beautiful day. I reflect on my walk in the woods, my time with Bay, and the lessons of a God who loves me. Life doesn't get much better than this. A man, his dog, and his God.
Another Walk with Bay, copyright 2008, voice_in_dc |
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| To add a comment to "Another walk with Bay" |
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| October 04, 2008 |
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Awesome...It sounds like God really Blessed you and Bay to have a wonderful summer. How great Thou Art. |
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| October 04, 2008 |
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| Ah, I love these stories!! |
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| October 05, 2008 |
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Yes, a wonderful summer indeed.
Thanks Kathy. |
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| October 05, 2008 |
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| More, more, moreeeeeeeeeeeeeee! |
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| October 05, 2008 |
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| You taught me a great lesson today. God bless you, my friend. |
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| October 05, 2008 |
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OK, THIS WAS AWESOME!
Second, it is a good thing to ask for help when you need it. I was a loner and had a mindset that I didn't need anybody to help me do anything. While that may indeed be true for a lot of things in life, that day in Turkey Creek Canyon, I learned that I needed someone to help me. It is not a shameful thing to ask for help. Sometimes just a little help will get you to your destination. Third, when help is offered, take it. Later in life when I would need help, sometimes pride would slip in and make me think I shouldn't take it. However, I remember Russ and Turkey Creek Canyon. I could have been stubborn and not taken his help, but that would have been the wrong thing to do.
I'm learning those two lessons right now...ever since I was two my motto was "I can do it myself". I don't think I have ever let my close friends or family feel unneeded in my life but I have always just functioned on a self-sufficient mode. To accept something from someone...unless it is Christmas or my birthday, it literally makes me grind my teeth it is so hard for me. I LOVE to bless others by giving and I learned it robs others of that same feeling if your not a generous receiver, and sometimes just sometimes we all need help and it is that simple. I wish I had learned this lesson you did at an early age instead of such fierce independence. I will be going back and reading this blog again and again, thank you for this....! |
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| October 05, 2008 |
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Nice,
I was never a Boy Scout, but always had a Boys Life subscription. Then when I was older I became a Scoutmaster. I believe I was taught more there than almost any other place I've been. I also tend to be a loner, so I understand that, but I will tell you, when you lose that "buddy", like I've recently done, it hits hard...that was when family became even more important than it already was. Thanks for reminding me of those 'old" buddies in the Scouts. |
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| October 05, 2008 |
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Loriinfj,
Wish I could say that one lesson changed me forever. It didn't, but it has acted as a reminder many times in my life. I know the struggle to be independent. It really isn't a bad thing, but it all depends on balance.
Thanks for the comments Dennis. You are right...the buddies have a special place in our lives... |
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| October 08, 2008 |
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Took me long enough to get done reading this- interruptions- and then keeping up with the new ones.
I have many of those from my youth that God has recalled to my mind lately.
Reflection is good.
Our Lord is awesome.
Somewhere out there was a Russ Doty in need of prayer. |
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