Old Bess is a dog that has lived out her best days. Yet she still has life left in her and is loved and adored by her master, Joe Thomas. She is a hunting dog, and even though she has aged, she may still have a good chase or two left in her.
Joe Thomas is the pastor of Franklin Baptist Church in Salisbury. In his sermons, from time to time, he illustrates with a human interest story. He is also one who enjoys a good joke.
One Sunday service, not long ago, he shared a funny incident that happened to Old Bess. Listening to the details that Sunday morning, I felt like I was an eyewitness to the events.
As Pastor Joe begins the story, he has excitement in his voice:
ěOne morning, Old Bess is sleeping on our front porch. She wakes up and notices a squirrel sitting at the far corner of the yard. Old Bess eyes the squirrel while the squirrel eyes Old Bess.
ěThe squirrel looks as if he knows whatís going to happen next. In an instant, he takes off running, with Old Bess following in hot pursuit. Bess is a wonderful hunting dog, so I think I know how this is going to end.
ěThe squirrel, much to my surprise, puts on brakes and stops dead in his tracks. Poor Bess isnít expecting that move, and she tries to stop as quickly as she can. Unfortunately, she canít stop fast enough, and winds up hitting the tree dead-on. Old Bess gets up, dazed, and looks around wondering what just happened.î
Pastor Joe says he couldnít help but laugh, and it seemed as if the squirrel was laughing too. The squirrel then took off in a different direction, leaving Bess to shake the cobwebs out of her head and limp to the porch with a bruised ego.
How many times do we chase a fine-looking squirrel, only to hit the tree head-on? For many of us, material things in our lives are the squirrels that cause problems and headaches later down the road. When we have a family, sometimes we spend money we donít have and finance things we shouldnít. Perhaps that beautiful home will make an impression on family and friends, but it might take every penny to finance it.
There are material things we think we canít live without, but in reality we are not truly living with them. Our financial burden becomes the tree we hit head-on. Even when we realize the mess weíre in, it might take years to shake the cobwebs out. Just like with Bess, we think the squirrel is a quick catch, but instead it turns into a quick headache.
I think about Old Bess from time to time, and I wonder if she ever thinks about that crazy squirrel. Pastor Joe says, ěHe wonders that too.î Then he adds, ěOne thingís for sure, she hasnít chased many squirrels since that day.î Just like Old Bess, we need to stop chasing squirrels that look enticing. Life may actually be better if we enjoy what we have instead of longing for material things we donít need. This year, when you pull out the credit card, think about Old Bess dreaming of days gone by. Then, slowly put the card back in your wallet, and happily walk away.

Dicy McCullough is a freelance writer and poet who lives in Rowan County. She can be reached at 704-278-4377.