Life lessons from a surreal experience

“That God is more near, more real and mighty, more full of love,

and more ready to help every one of us than any one of us realizes,

is the undying message of the Gospels.”

-- David S. Cairns

Life often surprises me. We all have stories of surprises, some

are pleasant, others unusual and there are unfortunate ones as well.

Recently some friends and I shared a bizarre event I doubt we’d have

believed if we hadn’t experienced it together.

Several of us rode bikes on a gray morning. We exercised our

mouths and our legs while pedaling through Newport Beach and Irvine.

Then we stopped for coffee, muffins and talked about what God had

taught us lately.

A friend named Anne joined us. She was home from vacation and

walked over with Maggie, her golden retriever. She tied Maggie

nearby, and then sat with us. Maggie was clearly so happy to have her

master back home that she kept wiggling and “talking” to Anne, until

one friend decided Maggie would be happier, and quieter, if she was

tied to Anne’s chair. Maggie much preferred being next to her master.

We enjoyed our visit until we realized how late it was. We jumped

up, and something startled Maggie, maybe our sudden moves or the

noise of many metal chairs. She took off running with a heavy chair

in tow. Anne instantly yelled, “Maggie, Stop!” and under normal

conditions, Maggie obeys her master’s voice. It seemed funny

momentarily, until we realized Maggie hadn’t heard Anne and was

running toward people, and out to a crowded parking lot.

The banging and clanging of metal on the pavement, as well as

bouncing off cars, intensified the faster Maggie ran. We took off in

different directions, trying to intercept a frightened dog running

out of control. We all prayed that the fleeing dog and flying chair

wouldn’t hit or be hit by anybody.

Fortunately, most cars stopped as soon as they saw or heard the

commotion, and many tried to help. One brave woman caught poor scared

Maggie after the chair became wedged under a car’s bumper. She

sacrificed her time, her shoes, and some scratches on her car to

help.

We tried to calm Maggie and help Anne deal with insurance,

confused car owners and surprised pedestrians. We think the chair

weighed at least 15 pounds, and the one that had been part of

Maggie’s escapade was so damaged, it had to be destroyed. It took

awhile to catch our breath and thoughts, and for Maggie to calm down,

but then we talked about lessons to learn from the surreal situation.

For one thing, when we run from the voice of reason, we may

unknowingly start a self-perpetuating problem that ends in some sort

of a train wreck. We also need positive friends who keep us from

heading in the wrong direction, or help untangle us when we do.

We also agreed that we are safest in life when we stay close, call

on and listen to God. He is the master of love and life, and he is

always worth listening to.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.