Apollo’s Great Adventure isn’t the story of a mythological god. And it isn’t so much the story of his adventure. It is about how his adventure impacted others – and a little lesson.
Apollo is a small white terrier. I formally met him while walking my Golden Retriever, Sammy, about a block away from my home. His owners have an invisible fence, yet he somehow managed to execute a Houdini escape act. As he ran towards us, I feared a doggy altercation.
Sammy isn’t aggressive, but he can be quite defensive if he doesn’t know the other dog. Apparently he also prefers the ladies. And who knew what Apollo’s intentions really were! Fortunately his mistress was on top of the situation and none of us were the worst for wear.
Thereafter when walking by his house, Apollo would bark at us. I don’t know doggy language so I wasn’t sure whether he was annoyed or happy to see us. He certainly wasn’t growling. I adopted the habit of greeting him by using his name. His barks turned into little whimpers. I guess Apollo just wanted our company.
One morning, as Sammy and I walked passed Apollo’s house, a car stopped beside us. The lady driver asked if we’d seen a little white dog running around. I recognized that look of panic. “Is his name Apollo?” I asked, not, having immediately recognized his mistress. Yes, Apollo had escaped once again. Even the city police had been notified.
Sammy and I assured his mistress that we’d keep an eye out for him during our walk, and I mentioned that I’d pray he’d be found. This time I got a different look – I’m not sure if it was appreciation, or the kind reserved for really weird people.
When I was a boy, our little terrier sometimes scaled a six-foot fence and disappear for up to three days! On those occasions, I would go AWOL from school to look for him. Lots of prayers were offered up for him. Fortunately he always came back.
Where I live is a little different to where I did as a boy. There are the usual cars to worry about. But, here, there are also coyotes, which have been known to take little dogs. Moreover Apollo’s parents live close to a golf course frequented by coyotes. So I looked out for him, and prayed.
I know what I’d feel if Sammy ever went missing. There would be tears and prayers aplenty! If God keeps track of the sparrows, I’m sure He tracks lost beloved pets too (Matt 10:29-31). God understands our love for our cherished pets. Read the interaction between Nathan the prophet and King David in 2 Sam 12:1-6.
But the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb which he bought and nourished; and it grew up together with him and his children. It would eat of his bread and drink of his cup and lie in his bosom, and was like a daughter to him. 2 Sam 12:3
That afternoon, I heard Apollo’s master walk up and down the street frantically calling out his name. How I felt for him! Later on I drove around the neighborhood in hopes of finding the little dog. But he was nowhere to be seen. Apollo was too busy adventuring to be spotted.
Later on, Sammy wanted to go for another stroll. We crossed the road and met up with a neighbor. Just as I was giving her the news about Apollo, another neighbor came rushing out with her cell phone – Apollo had been spotted in the area. Another neighbor rushed forward confirming the sighting.
Sammy decided that we ought to rush over to Apollo’s parents’ house and tell them where to look. By the time we got there, Apollo was safely home in the arms of his masters. I believe God answered prayer that day.
We rushed back to the corner with the ladies and their cell phones to tell them. They’d already heard the good news, and two more searching cars had joined them. The thing which really impressed me was the outpouring of jubilation and rejoicing over Apollo’s safe return.
I don’t know what Apollo got to do on his Great Adventure Day. But I got to thinking about the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). Imagine the joy of that father!
But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate. Luke 15:22-24
Then there’s the parable of the lost coin:
When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!’ In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:9-10
If there is such jubilation over the safe return of a little lost dog, imagine the sounds of joy of the angels in heaven over a sinner who repents!
How many of us have lost loved ones who we pray for daily? If angels rejoice, then God rejoices as well. The Father sent a willing Son to die in our place, that sinners may be saved. So we ought to pray with confidence that our fervent prayers will somehow not return void.
Apollo’s Great Adventure was a great lesson for me.
Maranatha!
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