We have not shared the devotionals from Congregational United Church of Christ E-news over the holidays. Now we are back on track again! Here is the next devotional from Sita’s book “Paw Prints on my soul – Lessons of a service dog.” I think back to how naive and scared I was when I received this beauty 13 years ago and how much we have been through together. I hope you enjoy this
!Writings by Dr. Jane Biehl (and Sita too)
DEVOTIONAL THIRTEEN
SITA AND THE COURTHOUSE
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.1 Peter 5:7
My birthday didn’t have an auspicious beginning. Butterflies fluttered all over my stomach, and my throat was parched. For the first time in my fifty- seven years, I had been subpoenaed to appear in court.
I had counseled a young girl for several years and a nasty custody battle was being settled with seven different attorneys fighting over her young future.
My nervousness worsened because I had just brought Sita home only two days earlier. My supervisor at the practice had intervened on my behalf and warned the court I was bringing her. For one anxious second, I even said to my kind supervisor, “Maybe I should not bring Sita this time.”
Her wise answer was, “You and Sita are a team now. Bring her!” This statement from a psychologist who knew me well resonated with me. “We are a team.”
I got lost and went to the wrong building. Fortunately, I had allowed plenty of time, and finally entered the correct place.
I eyed the security entrance warily. There was the usual gun detector and a conveyer belt
to place my purse. I had flown frequently, so this was not new to me. However, I had never had my dog.
The guard ordered me to place Sita on the conveyor belt. I blanched and stared at him wild eyed. I had been taught to always listen to someone in authority and his uniform intimidated me. I was trying to figure out how to hoist this large dog onto the conveyor belt without hurting her. I envisioned Sita’s panic as she went moving through the room and away from me.
He then laughed and said, “I’m kidding. She can go through.” I breathed again and realized I did not have to take Sita or myself quite this seriously!
After settling in the waiting room for what seemed like forever, the court attorney approached me. “You don’t need to testify because your notes were so complete. That little girl was lucky to have you as her counselor.”
I thanked her and turned to leave. I wanted to go to celebrate my birthday and have lunch with my mother before I went to the office.
The attorney held out her hand. “The magistrate wants to meet you; well actually, she wants to meet your dog. I will take you to her.”
I followed the attorney through hallway after hallway and we entered an empty courtroom. I took Sita out of vest. The magistrate ran over to pet Sita, and like most people, fell in love with those engaging beautiful eyes. Sita behaved beautifully. The magistrate asked Sita to shake and Sita lifted her paw. The two became fast friends.
As we left the courtroom together, I began to realize that God and this wonderful dog would take me on adventures I never dreamed of.