Mindy froze in her tracks. What was that sound? Paul turned to her. “What’s going on?”

“I heard something.” A whimpering sound came from the nearby bushes. Mindy parked the baby stroller and tiptoed closer to peer into the brush. “Aww, there’s a little dog caught in there.”

Paul leaned over her shoulder. “Wow, you’re right. I wonder how he got himself in there?”

“I have no idea.” Mindy knelt in front of the bush. “Poor thing. I’m going to get him out.”

Paul placed a restraining hand on her shoulder. “Be careful.”

As if to validate Paul’s concern, as Mindy drew closer, the dog snapped at her.

Paul’s face tightened. “I told you. It’s a mean dog. You could get bitten.”

Mindy waved a hand at him. “No, he’s just scared, and probably in pain. There are thorns in there. I’m sure he’s a sweet little guy. He just needs some help. He’s probably someone’s pet.”

“He might just be a stray carrying a bunch of diseases.”

Mindy huffed. “I’m going to get him out. Will you help me or not?”

Paul sighed. “You know I’ll help you. What do you need?”

Mindy studied the position of the dog. “Can you run back to the house and get something to cut back some of these branches?” She leaned closer. “I was right. This is definitely someone’s pet. He’s wearing a collar. If we get him out, we can find his owner.”

Paul straightened. “I’ll be right back. Don’t get too close. I don’t want you to end up with rabies.”

Mindy shook her head. It was just like Paul to think the worst would happen. She spoke to the frightened creature in soft tones. “It’s OK, buddy. We’re going to get you out of there. You’ll be home soon.”

She turned to Malcom, still sound asleep in his stroller. She blew him a kiss and stroked his downy cheek with her finger.

A few minutes later, Paul arrived with the hedge trimmers and started cutting away branches. Mindy bent back down to comfort the little dog, but he started shaking. Mindy continued the soothing narrative. When Paul had cleared away enough of the outer branches, Mindy reached in, slowly, toward the frightened animal. She made quick work of untangling his collar from the branches and pulled the thorns away from his skin. As she took him into her arms, the dog calmed and burrowed into her chest.

“Here – can you read his tag?”

Paul flipped over the small metal tag attached to the dog’s collar and read: “Oreo. 123 Market Street. And there’s a phone number. Let’s call.”

“There’s no need to call. It’s only two streets over. Let’s take Oreo home.”

Ten minutes later, Mindy pressed the doorbell of a neat, two-story brick house. A front curtain moved, and shortly afterwards, the door was flung open. A tiny woman with snow white hair reached out her arms. Oreo’s tail thumped against Mindy’s stomach as he strained to reach his owner. Mindy handed the little dog to the woman, who promptly burst into tears.

“Thank you so much for finding him. When I was walking yesterday, he darted off after a squirrel. I looked everywhere for him. It’s been so lonely here without him. Thank you, so very much for bringing him back to me.”

Mindy grinned at the woman. “Happy to help.” She practically skipped back to the sidewalk where Paul stood with Malcolm, shaking his head at her. “Good job, little Miss Sunshine.”

They turned back toward the park to continue their afternoon stroll. On the way, they passed the Johnson’s house. Marie was out in the yard pulling weeds.

Mindy waved. “Good morning, Marie. Isn’t it a beautiful day?”

Marie glared at Mindy. “I suppose it is for you. There’s no need to spoil it for everyone else.” She picked up her garden tools and hurried inro her house.

Mindy stared after her. “What was that all about? Why did she snap at me? Some people are just so rude.”

Malcolm stirred and Mindy dropped her voice. “Shh Shh Shh. Go back to sleep, little one. Don’t let the mean lady bother you.”

Mindy straightened and continued pushing the stroller down the street. After a few minutes, she turned to her husband. “What?”

Paul’s eyebrows climbed his forehead. “I didn’t say anything.”

“I know you didn’t, and that’s the point. I can tell you have something on your mind.”

Paul drew in a breath. “I work with Jasper, you know – Marie’s husband?”

“Yes, I remember.”

Paul rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, I think I know why Marie behaved that way when she saw us.”

Mindy stopped walking. “Why? What did I do?”

Paul’s gaze was serious. “Marie and Jasper have been trying to have children for two years. The treatments haven’t worked, and Marie is heartbroken. It was probably painful for her to see us walking along, so happy with our perfect little son.”

Mindy swallowed against the lump in her throat. “Oh, poor Marie.”

As they continued back toward the park, Oreo came to mind. The dog was in pain and scared and snapped at her. And she showed grace to the dog. But when Marie behaved the same way, Mindy judged her. She sent two prayers. One for Marie and Jared and their future children, and one for her own judgmental heart.

James 4:11-12

 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

God, why is it so hard for us to give grace to the people in our lives who treat us unkindly? Please help us see our neighbors as you see them. People who hurt others often do it because they are hurting. You tell us the greatest commandments are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and that the second is to love our neighbors as ourself. We give ourselves grace all the time. Please help us love others the way You love us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.