An idea. I believe it’s an area of our lives that most of us have experienced, and hopefully, will make our peace.  In the current issue (April, 2015) of the Mower County Humane Society newsletter, under a title “Sputnik,” we read:  “Some animals that enter the shelter, tug at the volunteers’ heartstrings more than others.  They seem to truly symbolize the meaning of rescue.”

To be invited to think about rescue can arouse in us, I believe, memories that may slide into near oblivion. I have, with age, been willing to, without conscious embarrassment, say:  “Yes, as a matter of fact, I did spend some of my childhood years in a foster home.” There was a time that in some circles, I would not speak of foster parents who provided a love; a rigid love!  Behaviors that may yet be considered as super religious.  To even think of trying a cigarette would be off-limits.  Actually, that might be a guideline that could be suitably offered. Just thinking! Hello cancer!  The “fences” were high.  Not even a John Wayne movie and certainly no dances or four-letter words were allowed.  Though Protestant, and although early on, I did not know the word “celibate,” (that was for priests and nuns), I was certain it was a sexless world!

I survived, like I assume many who may read my commentary did, and there is a lot of glory, may I say, in what my experience of rescue was about. Some serious pondering is in order and personal relationships that account for the fact that we are still around.

To be authentic enough and to cultivate sufficient self-assurance to speak of our journey may be, in fact,will be, a source of strength to another. To share with others our journey in life, not out of self-pity, but in gratefulness, is so necessary.

May I say it:  We have all in some manner been rescued.  If you believe you have been popped into this world and everything for you has been in perfect order with no reversals, please share your story.  Look me up!

Sometimes my reminder that a once beaten child might someday do graduate studies at Yale University — no, can’t be.  It gives me incentive to continue to encourage others.  I think of one teacher in particular, Dr. Joel Torstenson at Augsburg College.  What a mentor. Here was a a professor who revealed in his teaching life, a very grateful spirit for his place in a school’s goals.  Realize, please, living with thankfulness creates that unstoppable push. A time in New Haven, Connecticut, or other schools, were futures provided through living with a grateful spirit and a gently given academic push!  A time in New Haven, Connecticut didn’t just happen.   Attendance at schools with advanced degrees resulted from intentional motivational environments.

As I look back at the years, I map out a rather strange — call it vocation — over 40 years of lending a hand to churches throughout Minnesota with some added-on years of college teaching. I continue to try to connect with persons of various ages in order to say, “Others have stood with me, encouraged me; can I do less?”

I write this not to just vent anxiety over too much sluggishness and the too early giving up that is ever present.  I write this to say, look at your life. Count the times, places, troubled periods when you have been rescued. If a volunteer at our area Humane Society can see in a dog’s eyes, a piercing look that says: “I’m thankful, rescue has happened to me,” where do I fit in?  Where do you fit in?

A word about the “Austin Daily Herald” that I always read (also the Minneapolis “StarTribune”), I glance heavenward for the earnest digging and shaping of life in our area. Hopefully, family members are uplifted by the very thorough sports and recreation coverage.  Granddad, do you follow and compliment the children in your expanding family?  And the word “rescue” fits in here to all competing events that end with Popsicles, ribbons, and a bus ride home in laughter!  An occasional hug is a requirement in competitive sports.  A hug that says: “At the next game, there will be no tears and it will be one for the record books!”

When thinking of rescue, we think of a commodity, a grace that we all experience.  The beauty is that sometimes we are on the receiving end and sometimes we have the opportunity to be on the giving end.

That reminds me.  Parts of the Bible’s Old Testament are uplifting.  For instance, about the One viewed as Creator:  “He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing.” Thank you Zephaniah, Chapter 3, Verse 17.