In our neighborhood, there was a man everyone avoided – gruff, serious, and never talkative. The neighbors always commented that they were scared of him. I knew there was a story, and I prayed for him daily as I walked by his house on my morning strolls. I would see this man out in his lawn, never looking up, seeming very focused on the job at hand. He seemed sad.
One day, as Mabel Joy and I walked by his house, he was at his mailbox. I stopped to say hello, noticing a neighbor watching with concern. His name was Dan, and he immediately took to Mabel Joy. Dogs are great judges of character!
Dan, it turned out, was a retired military veteran who had served almost all his life. He seemed lonely and confided, “I think people are scared of me, and I don’t have the energy to let them know I won’t bite.” As he petted Mabel Joy, Dan began sharing stories from his life – war stories, childhood memories – each one more fascinating than the last.
One day, as we talked, fighter jets flew overhead. Dan saluted, tears running down his face, saying, “That’s music to my ears.” He had flown those jets, saved lives, and had his own life saved.
Noticing Dan’s love for dogs, I suggested he adopt one. Weeks later, I saw Mr. Dan with a new dog named Harley, a beautiful lab he had rescued. Dan’s whole demeanor had changed. He smiled, saying, “I think Harley was the one that did the rescuing. He rescued me, not the other way around.”
Over the years, Mr. Dan and Harley became neighborhood favorites. Dan trained Harley to fetch the newspaper, and his hard
exterior softened. He got involved in a local church, made friends, and even found love again.
Years later, Dan shared the sad news of Harley’s sudden passing. Through tears, he thanked me, saying the day I suggested adopting a dog had changed his life. He was now engaged, involved in his community, and happier than ever.
This experience taught me valuable lessons:
- Under the hardest shells are people longing to be loved and appreciated.
- Love always wins, and God uses that love to set people free.
- Simple acts of kindness – a hello, a suggestion – can transform lives.
- We should never judge by appearances or listen to rumors about others.
- Prayer is powerful. Every prayer for Mr. Dan was heard.
It’s my hope that we all take a moment to listen, love, and befriend someone who might be hurting. You never know how a simple gesture can change a life. When we open our hearts to others, we often find our own lives transformed in the process.