Out Our Way: And then there was Scout

       "The Lord God said, 'It is not good that the human should be alone'" - Genesis 2:18, The Hebrew Text, author's translation

Out our way, we come to depend on our neighbors and friends and family, for though some of us live alone, it is not good that we should always BE alone. It is in the interaction with others that "the steel is sharpened," for dialogue, conversation and even debate are critical to the lively mind. We also need that special connection to remind us we are not alone in this world - that it, indeed, is NOT all about us.

Being suddenly single again at my age is not a lot of fun. True, I can skip shaving on Saturdays, watch football to my heart's content, and walk around the house in raggedy jeans and old torn sweatshirts from college and seminary days. Still, the old hacienda can get a bit too quiet and empty from time to time. Only making coffee one cup at a time, in the morning cooking for one, coming home to a dark and empty house at night. And in evening prayer I sometimes get so lonely I cry out to heaven: "It is not good that I should be alone, Lord! Remember?"     

And He does.

A few days ago after church, two of my friends decided to take me out to lunch.  Now that was pretty great because these are also friends who had been hurt and understand what it is to suddenly be alone.  I have shared their journey and now they share mine.  Sometimes you need someone who's walked their own trail of tears to help you walk yours. Granted, there was no romance or hearts and flowers in any of this, but there was compassion and solid friendship.  And God said, "Behold! You are not alone!"

We had a great time, sharing and laughing and just relaxing. We were what theologian Henri Nouwen called "wounded healers" - people who can relate to our pain because they bear it as well.  No need to be  embarrassed or put up a stiff upper lip with such folks; they know. It's the same reason we have attempted a Combat Veterans Group at the church - nobody to impress or pretend for, just fellow men and women who have been under fire and know what it means to have "a thousand yard stare."

Anyway, wounded healers walking together can form a bond and provide a comfort that only one who has been to "the abyss" can share.  It is not good for anyone to be alone all the time. We are social beings who need interaction. Not everyone is called to be married or needs a partner to be whole, but none of us can be totally alone all the time and still grow and be the person we were created to be. Even the hermits and mystics of the monasteries still required community and connection from time to time. No it is not good to always be alone.

But God gave me more than good friends who understood my pain and could help me stumble through the darkness. During the luncheon, one of my friends, Teri, was excited about looking for a dog, and Lori, the other friend, knew of one that needed a home. We actually prayed about it because the sense that God was at work in this simple request was very real.

As it happened (oh look - a coincidence!), Lori's daughter knew of a great dog that needed a home in Helena and during lunch the connection was made and pictures sent. Contacts were made, the dog was available, housebroken, all his shots, etc., and was ready to come to Havre. Well, Teri fell in love with the pooch (and so did I, but I kept out of it). Arrangements were made and things were set.

But then another "coincidence" - Teri and her new husband talked it over and realized maybe now wasn't the right time to have a dog, so she called me to see if maybe I would be interested? And suddenly, Scout was at my door, licking my face, barking and dancing in happiness to have a new home.  

For the past week we have walked together, played together and wrestled together, and each evening she hops up on the bed and lies down beside me.

    It is not good for this man to be alone.  God heard my cry. He sent me friends to walk beside me ... and He sent me Scout.  Blessed be the Name of the LORD!  Amen.

(John Bruington is pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Havre.  He, Goliath and Scout can be reached at [email protected].)