We have all heard stories of pets being lost or simply missing large distances away from their homes, and yet finding their way back. Even Hollywood has tapped into the concept in 1963 and again in 1993 with their versions of the novel ‌The Incredible Journey.‍ The later remake stared a Golden Retrievernamed Shadow, voiced by Don Ameche, a Himalayancat named Sassy voiced by Sally Field, and an American Bulldognamed Chance voiced by Michael J. Fox. The animals belonged to the Burnford-Seaver family. Bob Seaver (Robert Hays) recently married Laura Burnford (Kim Greist) and merged their families: Peter Burnford (Benj Thall), Hope Burnford (Veronica Lauren) and Jamie Seaver (Kevin Chevalia) - owners of Shadow, Sassy and Chance respectively. The plot begins when Bob must take a one-year job in San Francisco, leaving the animals at a friend's Oregon ranch. But after several days, the worried animals begin to think their family must be in trouble, so they decide to go out and look for them. The three bicker and crack jokes as they set off on a truly incredible journey chock full of misadventures as they trek their way back to their owners. On their incredible journey across the ruggedly beautiful Sierras, they encounter unexpected surprises from man, beast, and nature alike. This flick generated forty million dollars and a sequel was produced a few years later. Can animals really accomplish such ‌incredible journeys?‍ If so how can they do that?
Perhaps the answer is simpler than people give credit. I think they can make the journey, because it is in their heart to do so. God created hearts to long for home, so why wouldn t they do all in their power to reach it. Look at your own heart; it was created to long for home as well. This journey of life on earth is filled with all sorts of peril and surprises. Yet, we stay the course. You and I have a longing for home; the place we are supposed to be; the place we belong. The Lord keeps encouraging us to ‌trek on‍   ‌Let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.‍ Shadow, Sassy, and Chance set their heart and feet to reach home. Let s do the same as we journey always onward and upward toward home.

Lately I have told you of my experiences in the mountains of Wyoming. Or perhaps I shouldn t say experiences, but more precisely ‌challenges.‍ First it was the atv and the pull starter I didn t know about. Then the transmission line on my truck that Ford says should never come off, because a special tool is needed for its removal; and then it is most difficult. Well, Vickie has noted that they just don t understand what she calls, ‌Chuck luck.‍ However this week I read about a fellow that seems to be cut from the same mold of fortune. His name is Juan Manuel Olivera, and he is a ‌striker‍ for his soccer team from Chile. He collided with the opposing team s goalie and was knocked cold. He regained consciousness in the ambulance, but when examined at the clinic he was ordered to spend the night in the hospital in Santiago. He was being transported by ambulance to medical facility when it was struck by another car. Fortunately, no one was injured, but Juan spent the next two hours waiting for a substitute ambulance which was delayed by rush-hour traffic.
From some folks perspective Juan and I would be avoided like the swine flu, but looking deeper makes one re-adjust their opinion. I don t know about how Juan viewed his ordeal, but I know what I gained from ‌Chuck luck‍ on the mountain. I could see the greatness of God s love and care for me. I am certainly not someone special in the eyes of most people, but it is revealed in these experiences that God sees me special enough to take charge each and every aspect of my mountain experiences. Hiking back and forth from the atv was the most memorable and precious that I can recall in years: time with God and His great gift of my beloved wife. As for the Ford experience; my appreciation and faith in God grew by leaps and bounds. So if this is ‌Chuck luck‍ I am the most fortunate man on the planet. Don t you wish you had my luck too?