There is a Golden Retriever who lives on Sandusky Street. I don’t know what name he uses now, but I do know what he used to go by. He used to be called “Captain Hook” You may wonder how he got that name.
We were gone all day fishing with a friend on Lake Erie one day and we got home exhausted and a little dizzy and eager to tuck ourselves into bed for the evening. Lois had other plans. She was beside herself because one of our little adorable Golden puppies has been rooting around the spring house and somehow he had managed to knock the fishing poles down and get a sharp fishing hook securely stuck in his mouth.
Now this hook was buried. I couldn’t cut it off and push it through and I couldn’t get it out. I tried for an hour and a half and the whole household was upset with me for hurting this poor whimpering, squealing, yapping, lurching, squirming puppy who was hooked better than any bass I have ever seen.
Lois wanted to call a Vet but I was determined to free our little friend on the budget plan. Finally, in desperation, I settled on an idea. I enlisted Kyle’s help. I said; “Kyle that dog is going to squirm and maybe even try to bite but I want you to hang on for all your worth. That hook is coming out. Kyle settled in with a death-grip on that poor little creature and I got a death grip on my pliers.
With all the strength I could muster I gave one violent yank on the hook. The little dog lunged and scratched Kyle’s face, but he hung on and the hook finally came free. Within ninety seconds the dog was down and scampering contentedly around the kitchen. In another ninety seconds he was gulping down dog chow.
The house settled down to quiet again and I got myself a nice hot bowl of split pea soup and while I ate it occurred to me that little dog had no idea that the pain I inflicted on him came from a mind wiser than his and a heart of love.
You may not understand the pain and pressure you are going through, but I can tell you this; “Count it all joy when the pressure is on” because it comes from a mind far wiser than your own and a heart of love. And maybe that will help you be thankful for something that you are really not sure is a blessing.
