A Common LInk Through an Uncommon Breed

I was on a run yesterday morning when I saw a dog that looks just like my dog, as all Carolina Dogs (CDs) look just like my dog. I stopped, and the friendly pup leaped on me for slurpy hugs and kisses.
"Did you know he looks like a Carolina Dog?" I asked, in between swipes of his tongue.
"He IS a Carolina Dog!" she told me. She had adopted him from a foster home, who told her about CDs, and then she did further research about the breed on her own. I told her about the CD rescue group, and the Facebook CD groups I belong to. She didn't know about them, but was very interested, so I got her email address and told her I would send her all the links when I got home. I also sent her the links to my books about CDs since you never know when a new fan might be just the movie producer you need.

Later, she wrote to tell me she had bought my book and couldn't wait to read it. (Incidentally, that book is my best seller and I never reduce the price, but it is only 99 cents for the next few days at this link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BRF2UU . Please tell all your friends.) Anyway, she was so thrilled to have met me and found my books that she invited me for a get together at her house where some famous NYC musician was playing! I can't go -- prepping and leaving this weekend for my kayak trip to the Chincoteague wild ponies, but it was one of those "chance" encounters that make the rest of the day feel special and God-ordained.

I thought about how I used to make fun of my brother-in-law for belonging to a Miata Club. I mean, the only source of commonality is a car but they would vacation together on Miata road trips. It struck me as odd that he would go do things with strangers based on their common love of a car. YET, here I was bonding with a total stranger just because we love the same breed of dog.

And then my thoughts meandered, as they often do, to how whenever I meet a fellow Christian believer, I usually know it before they tell me, and there is an instant bond. The link with fellow believers is so strong that it can be someone I only know through Facebook, but when they say something that gives me a hint that they love Jesus, I feel as though God has just sent me a lifeboat in a shipwreck. I love those God-ordained divine encounters, those reminders that we are inextricably linked with others in a common pursuit. If it is a holy pursuit, so much the better.
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Hebrews 10:24-25 

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Romans 12:10 

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Acts 2:42 

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

1 John 1:7

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 Peter 4:9 

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

1 John 1:3 

That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:12 

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.