An Example For Rosie

The fear of man lays a snare,
but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.

BETH USED TO WORRY that her cat Rosie was lonely without a feline sibling. Most of Beth’s cat-loving friends had multiple feline pals who snuggled together, played together, and ate together—and apparently loved having their pictures taken doing all of the above. Rosie, on the other hand, detested sitting still for the camera and was perfectly content being a loner, which suited Beth, who also found social interactions somewhat taxing at times. It wasn’t that she didn’t like people; she had several close friends. But she often felt awkward around people she didn’t know, and she normally found small talk and chitchat exhausting.

Beth much preferred her quiet nights at home with Rosie to nights out with her friends. Rosie was a comforting confidante, and Beth never worried about looking silly or saying the wrong thing to her.

But when the pandemic mandates shut down much of her surrounding area and brought an abrupt end to most social gatherings, Beth found herself missing the events she used to consider tedious. Day after day, she and Rosie went through their routine of eating meals, Rosie napping while Beth worked, and sitting on the sofa binging on Netflix.

Several weeks into the pandemic, Beth realized she missed getting calls from her friends to meet for a night out. She even wished she could go to a party or a live concert.

As weeks turned into months, Beth began to suspect that her previous distaste for social gatherings had less to do with a lack of interest and much more to do with fear. And after living in what was starting to seem like a constant state of fear, Beth realized she was tired of being afraid.

It was time to stand up to her fears—or at least one of them.

Beth decided to take one small, courageous step. She could get to know her neighbors—something she had been avoiding since she moved into the neighborhood a year earlier.

Beth began by saying hello to the elderly man across the street when they both retrieved their mail. A few days later, she delivered a package to her next-door neighbor that had mistakenly been left by Beth’s front door. She even spent several minutes talking with the neighbor about their mutual love of gardening. While they were conversing, the young boy who lived on the other side of Beth passed by on a scooter and waved. He was wearing a dragon costume that made Beth smile as she waved back.

Interacting with my neighbors isn’t as intimidating as I thought, Beth mused. It’s actually kind of fun.

Well, at least it was to her. Rosie, however, did not share Beth’s new interest in their neighbors. In fact, the little cat—who usually enjoyed spending time outside—would dash inside the moment Beth waved at a neighbor.

“Come on, Rosie,” Beth would encourage her. “If I can be friendly, you can be friendly.”

Rosie flicked her tail in response and retreated into the house.

One day, the boy sporting the dragon costume was playing outside when he spotted Rosie resting on Beth’s deck.

“You have a kitty!” the boy shouted, running into Beth’s yard.

Rosie gave a questioning meow and looked wide-eyed at Beth.

“You’re safe, Rosie,” Beth assured her. “I’m right here. Go ahead and say hello to the little boy.”

“I’m Alec,” the boy said. “Can I say hi to your cat?”

Rosie looked at Beth, then at Alec, then back at Beth.

Beth held her breath. Would Rosie get spooked and run away?

“You can come over and say hi,” Beth answered, willing Rosie to be brave.

After a moment of hesitation, Rosie rolled over and offered the little boy her belly. Well, would you look at that, Beth marveled.

Alec gave Rosie a gentle but thorough belly rub. “My friend Cameron has a cat. But I can’t see Cameron right now cause of the panda-emic. I like your cat. Thanks! See ya.”

Beth’s heart swelled with sympathy for the boy. The isolation was hard enough for an introverted adult, but she couldn’t imagine how hard it must be for a sociable child. She also couldn’t believe how calm and outgoing Rosie had been with Alec.

“Well, look at you,” Beth said as she hugged her. “You made a new friend.”

Rosie and Beth spent the rest of the summer taking baby steps away from fear—and delighting in the new friends they made along the way.

PAWS & PONDER . . .

In what ways does trusting in God keep us safe? What is the difference between caution and fear? What do you think “the fear of man” is referring to in this Proverb? In what ways can fear become a snare? What fear do you need to entrust to God?

Paws & Pray

Lord, fear seems like such a natural response these days. Everywhere I look there is something to fear—illness, violence, evil, loss, failure, and even just the fear of letting others down. Yet, in your Word, you say to trust you and not be afraid. Help me believe that you are bigger than my fears and my insecurities. You are my ever-present help in times of trouble.