I Am With You

by Rollie J.

Friday afternoon found me relaxing on the sofa wrapped in my favorite sleeping bag, attempting to defy the long bitter cold snap that has clung to our region like an unwanted mother-in-law that just won’t leave. Hibernating in the warmth and coziness of my cocoon, I clicked through 20-30 channels of meaningless drivel, and then happened upon a fascinating program, “9/11: Where Were You?” by National Geographic. This proved to be a poignant and deeply engaging program, weaving together several people’s stories from their shared tapestry of 9/11.

On more than a few occasions, I found my eyes welling up with tears as I listened to tale after tale of courage, tenacity, bravery, loss, and tragedy. I’m not sure if my tears were from a hidden well of pandemic fatigue, or that I was simply moved deeply by all of the tragedy, evil, and heroism I witnessed through this beautiful storytelling. But none captured my heart, like the story of Omar Rivera and his seeing eye dog, Salty.

Omar Rivera speaks with a charming Spanish accent of his fateful day on 9/11.

He had gotten to work early by 7 am to prepare for meetings. His faithful guide dog Salty had led the way through lower Manhattan and up the elevators to his office on the 71st floor of the World Trade Center. Salty lay napping at his feet resting like any other morning after getting his master safely to work.

Around 8:30 am, Omar hears a tremendous explosion, the building shakes and rocks back and forth knocking his computer off the desk and onto the floor. A tremendous wind follows, bringing smoke, and debris. Panic, fear, and confusion ensue. Salty begins running back and forth around the room, uncertain of what is going on.

Omar explains that they had been trained to sit tight in case of an emergency and await announcements over the intercom, but now Salty returns and sits by his side whimpering and filled with anxiety. Omar realizes that he must trust in the instincts of his dog and that he must follow him in an attempt to escape.

Omar places the walking harness back onto Salty and they both weave their way through the debris and clutter to the nearest stairwell. Salty faithfully leads the blind Omar down the packed and crowded stairway that is filled with thousands of other terrified and confused workers attempting to descend to safety. The narrow stairway can only hold so many and with each flight downward it grows more crowded as more and more people cram onto the escape way. With firefighters and policemen working their way upwards, there is barely enough room for one person going down, let alone a man with a seeing-eye dog. In an act of selfless love, Omar decides to release Salty so that his dog can more easily make his way downward without him.

Free of his master's leash, Salty heads downwards, sneaking and snaking between legs in the smoke-filled stairs. Omar soon loses the sound of Salty’s jingling harnesses, but himself continues downwards grasping the handrail and assisted by others. Progress is slow and nerve-wracking.

Take a listen to this touching story, as told by Omar.

Sometimes I really believe that God placed dogs on this earth as a visible and tangible sign that points to how God loves us. Did you hear these incredible words that Omar shares as Salty returns to him in those chaotic, smoke-filled stairs: “I am with you, no matter what. I am with you. You and I together… and that’s no question.”

Most of us won’t face an apocalyptic 9/11. But many reading this face tragedy aplenty and may be even walking through their own, Valley of the Shadow of Death. It might be cancer, or dementia, or a loved one with Alzheimer’s, or simply the aging process. It might be the loneliness of pandemic isolation, or not having hugged your grandkids or children in a year. Maybe you are deep in grief over losing someone dear to your heart. It might be a financial hardship, job loss, or mounting bills. Maybe your struggle is with strained relationships, separation, divorce, or just a lifeless marriage that has flatlined. Maybe your kids have walked away, turned their backs on you, or maybe you’re wrestling with a strong addiction that has you pinned against the ropes. Maybe it’s a heavy depression or that slippery demon anxiety. No matter what your struggle or difficult situation, hear these words: “I am with you, no matter what. I am with you. You and I together… and that’s no question.”

You might have missed this eloquent and pointed quote by Omar at the beginning of the video: “Trust is the most important thing in working with a guide dog.” The same is true when it comes to our relationship with God. Can you trust God to guide you through the smoke, the confusion, the fear, the debris, and the anxiety of what you are currently going through?

Trust goes way deeper than intellectual understanding. Trust involves full-body surrender. It involves movement, of actually following, and moving through the smoke, the fog, the not knowing, the fear, and the anxiety. It means holding God’s hand and allowing ourselves to be led. Omar could say that he trusts Salty. But until he holds that harness and actually follows, his trust is only in his head.

Trust is a muscle. It only grows and gets stronger by using it. May you exercise your trust muscles… and remember; “I am with you, no matter what. I am with you. You and I together… and that’s no question.”

-- Rollie J.

I am with you
and will watch over you
wherever you go,
I will not leave you.
Genesis 28:15

God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 
The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Hebrews 13:5-6

Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, and you are mine!
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned.
For I am the Lord your God.  
Isaiah 43:1-2

I will fear no evil, for God is with me. 
Psalm 23

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?… No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 8:35-37

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