August 27, 2026
If someone takes your coat, do not withhold even your shirt from them. ~ Luke 6:29 NRSV
I never leave home without tissues, house keys, and my fitness center card in my left pocket. The same is true for my cell phone in my right pocket. That is, unless I am wearing an outfit that doesn’t have pockets, something we women deal with much more than men.
Last week was no different. I arrived at the fitness center with all these items in my shorts’ pockets. Standing between me and the counter was an older man with a gorgeous Golden Labrador Retriever on a leash. I greeted the man and asked if I could pet the dog. Getting an affirmative response, I introduced myself to “Colonel.” Apparently, Colonel decided I was safe. His tail wagged as he sniffed my hand.
There were several people in the area who were surprised I’d never seen Colonel before. They told me how well-behaved he was and how helpful he was to his handler. Next, I walked up to the desk, reached into my left pocket, pulled out my card to check in, and felt a swift pressure and tug on my left hip. I was startled. My first thought was that I’d been bit. I turned to my left to see what was happening. What I saw was Colonel’s snout coming out of my pocket without a care in the world, and my tissues in his mouth as he returned to the man. No way was I going to fetch them back. Jesus seems to indicate that sharing, even with pickpockets, is the desired response.
Everyone in the lobby saw the theft, and quite frankly, it was an image that we laughed about all day.
His owner told me Colonel has a paper problem. He goes after newspapers, toilet tissues, and any other scraps he can find. I confess that I also have a paper problem. My problem isn’t carrying tissues in my pocket. It is forgetting to take them out when doing the laundry, which results in a static-electric attachment of tissue to Rod’s clothes. I could use a Colonel in my house.
Anne
Wayfinding 