Slightly Terrified

 

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”*

The first time I heard the expression “slightly terrified,” was when our young grandson, Elliot, used it to describe the way he felt about going to school in September. Having just completed the 5^th grade, he will soon be joining his brother Nate at the local middle school.

“Elliot, are you looking forward to going to middle school,” I asked, curious about his response.

“I’m slightly terrified of the homework,” he answered seriously. That was a surprise. Elliot is bright, with a bent towards math and an excellent memory. Maybe reports from his brother of a heavy load of homework frightened him. It certainly was a dramatic way to express his feelings!

If dogs could speak, TJ our lab would probably say that’s how he feels about loud, unexpected noises, or maybe just “terrified!” When people in our neighborhood began celebrating July 4^th about a week ahead of time, the sporadic loud bangs sent him running around the house in search of a good hiding place. Once he found a safe place, he would drift off to sleep, until another blast jolted him awake.

On Thursday night before the holiday, our daughter invited us to attend an annual patriotic concert given by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra at Greenfield Village. I was concerned about leaving TJ by himself and asked a neighbor to drop by and check on him.

The finale of the rousing performance, “Salute to America,” was Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” complete with deafening blasts from several cannons situated along the perimeter of the large compound! A stunning display of fireworks followed that lasted several minutes

 It was a good thing that we were a long distance from home! TJ was safely inside the house and supposedly asleep. However, when our neighbor Melinda let him out for a break a few hours after we had gone, she reported that he ran straight to the gate and stood there, looking for us.

 When Al and I got home, it was after 11:00 p.m. TJ was still awake and was very excited  to see us. He didn’t show any signs of anxiety while we were gone, thankfully.

We continued to hear the fireworks Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, with different communities around us having their celebrations in addition to those nearby.  Poor TJ would stick his nose out the door, but duck back into the house with the loud noises. Even if I went outside and stood with him after dark, he still wanted to go inside immediately.

 From 9:00 p.m. to midnight on Monday night, July 4th, we stayed awake watching TV, with TJ close by in the living room. He seemed to feel most secure when lying right at my feet or upon them! The noise from the TV blocked out some of the commotion outside anyway.

After things quieted down, we went to bed, with TJ lying on his pillow in the living room covered up by his “security blanket!” (a piece of an old sheet). The fireworks finally seemed to be over.

However, around 4:00 a.m. a storm cell moved through our area. TJ headed straight for our bedroom where he curled up on the floor on my side of the bed. God’s fireworks were much more awesome than man’s, with one thunder clap so loud that it nearly jolted me out of bed.

 Al hardly seemed to blink an eye and continued on with his deep sleep. But TJ and I stayed awake for a long time after that, until the pattering sound of rain muffled the sounds of the thunder. I could feel him trembling as I stroked his fur.

Thankfully, the fireworks and thunderstorms died down in subsequent days, giving TJ a chance to rest and recover. When the tornado siren went off in the middle of the night just recently, Al and I jumped out of bed ready to get to a safe place! But TJ didn’t stir, sleeping soundly on his pillow in the living room.

While the term “slightly terrified” seems to be an oxymoron, we’ve all experienced many times when we have been afraid. However, God is with us by night and day, in the calm and also in the storm, and in all of our comings and goings. No need to fear!

TJ, are you listening?

* Joshua 1:9 NIV