During the holidays I learned of a couple who own a giant Great Dane dog that they frequently take to a nearby dog park. There the dog is allowed to run freely and frolic with other dogs--different breeds, large and small. Amazingly, most of the time the dogs get along and play nicely, although an occasional skirmish does break out. Owners quickly retrieve their dogs and pull them away from the growling and barking confrontations. Play usually resumes.
What facinates me about all this is the network of friends this couple has developed as they and the other dog owners have stood in the waiting area and visited with each other. People they would have never connected with in their "normal" social network have become genuine friends that they look forward to seeing and even get together with to socialize away from the park from time to time. These folks are as diverse as their dog breeds. Republicans and democrats, Christians and non-Christians, pro-life and pro-choice, advocates of legalizing medical marijuana and those who would oppose it, all convening at predictable times at the dog park. It has become such a community that they have a bulletin board that posts news about regulars. If someone has had their pet die it gets posted on the bulletin board and many who see it send sympathy cards or otherwise make contact. My acquaintences even confessed that it being winter their outings to the park were less frequent and they were "missing" some of the people they have grown to care about.
As far as I know Jesus didn't hang out at a dog park, but there is no question that he frequented market places, fishing docks, scenic overlooks, courtyards and parties. Because of this he was criticized for being too comfortable around drunkards, gluttons and sinners. The Gospels tell us that most people he encountered were "delighted" by his presence. Could it be that it wasn't moralizing sermons they were drawn to, but rather, his listening ear, engaging smile, and his participation in the lives of the people he encountered? I can imagine people going to places where they had encountered him before in the hope he would show up again.
Whether it's a dog park, bowling league, coffee shop, break room at work, back yard bar-b-que, or foyer at church the coolest and most important stuff of life goes on where people build relationship with each other enough to care about each other no matter what their "breed of dog."
