It was another splendid but swelteringly steamy day in Tucson, Arizona, and we, along with our welcome company from overseas, were completely wilted. All we could think about was a walk through the cool, air-conditioned mall that was just twenty minutes away. We made sure to leave our home well-secured, with our dog safely locked up in her pen, and we set off for a refreshing stroll through the shops. To make the trip even more special, we treated ourselves to some ice-cream that was cold enough to cause Goosebumps to grow all over our bodies.

An hour later we made our way back home, completely refreshed by our outing. We couldn’t believe what we saw upon our arrival . . .

“Who put that huge swimming pool all over our neighbourhood?” I asked.

“I hope there are no sharks in the water!” answered my wife.

We had been warned that we were living on a hundred-year flood plain, but we had assumed we had more than enough time to reach our hundredth year. I guess nature decided otherwise! Water reached the third step leading into our home, coming barely short for its undignified entrance. Our shed was completely flooded, along with all of its contents. Even the dog house was flooded. Wait a minute: The dog!

“Where’s my dog???” cried my wife.

We both rushed knee-deep into the pen, but there was no dog to be found. Had she drowned and sunk to the bottom of the 2 feet of water? We searched the pen, but no corpse could be found, a fact that made us very happy. But if she wasn’t there, then where could she be?

Just then our neighbour waded over to greet us. “It’s a monsoon,” he explained. “It just came up all of a sudden, and within minutes we had two feet of water. We were worried about your dog, and we brought her to our house.”

Thank heaven for special neighbours!

This reminds me of Mic 6:8: “But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what GOD is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don’t take yourself too seriously – take God seriously.” (The Message)

When others do face some of life’s heavy storms, may we be the neighbours we would like to have!

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” (Matt 7:12 NIV)

We can make a difference in this world through Jesus, the Christ!

“Would anybody like a huge neighbourhood pool? I know where you can find one, for free!”

Rob Chaffart