Big Timber Meats
I was walking Chase, my yellow Labrador, down the street in Big Timber, Montana, when suddenly he crouched low to the ground, his hair stood on end and he desperately pulled on the leash to get away. We were on vacation traveling out west and stopped in this small mountain town to take a break and stretch our legs. Barb was checking out the shops while Chase and I were enjoying the sunshine.
What caused his sudden anxiety? I tightened my grip on the leash and looked around for a threat…another dog, a cat…what could it be? Then I saw the sign, “Big Timber Meats, Wild Game Processing”. We were right in front of a wild game meat locker. And, in Montana, that can be anything from antelope, to elk, to buffalo, to bear. Chase had caught the scent of something big and scary from inside that building…and he was anxious!
I’ve thought about that since. I get anxious. You get anxious. Every person (and my dog) experiences anxiety. Jesus says, “Don’t be anxious, but…when you do, turn your anxious thoughts into prayers”. That’s my rough translation.
Chase doesn’t know how to pray. He just tries to escape. And here’s the kicker. Chase didn’t realize that the beast that he smelled and feared was already dead and hanging in the locker.
