At six years old, Lilia found herself out of a job. After faithfully serving as a loyal friend and companion, she soon learned that a big move out of state didn’t include her. When Jim first met Lilia, she was running out of options. He had had yellow Labs for 25 years and after his most recent dog passed away, he swore he was done. He couldn’t go through the pain and loss of another dear companion. But there was something special about Lilia. Her crazy puppy days were behind her and she had mellowed a into gentle, sweet-natured soul. It suddenly appeared to Jim that he had an opening in the family dog department and Lilia was hired.
The timing was providential. Jim Jimison also found himself out of a job -- voluntarily. He had recently retired from serving as the Bainbridge Township Police Chief and walked away with pride and a tinge of sadness over leaving the police force he helped to create. For forty-six years, Jim woke up, put on his crisp blue police uniform, kissed his wife and left his home with a purpose, to serve and protect. Lilia had lived for six years in her former home with the same purpose, to serve and protect. Now, here they were, together and they soon discovered that one’s true purpose has nothing to do with a job.
As Jim neared retirement, he got busy. He had seen too many former officers hang up their uniform along with their desire to do much of anything else. No, Jim was going to continue to make a difference. He began serving on the Kenston School Board and on the Advisory Committee for the Geauga County Department of Aging, he volunteered at the USO and served on the Executive Committee of the Ohio Retired Police Chief Association, he golfed on a league two days a week and now found himself proud owner of a six-year old yellow Lab. During this time, Jim also went through surgery that required extensive physical therapy. He spent many hours at the treatment center and witnessed the loneliness of many of the long-term care seniors. He had heard over the years about the remarkable difference in mental as well as physical well-being that therapy dogs made in the lives of residents at senior living centers and vowed when he was back on his feet, he and Lilia were going to be there for them.
Lilia had all the makings of the perfect therapy dog. She was easy-going, friendly with other dogs, people, and children. The world didn’t faze her. Jim had noticed that her former owner had taken time to work with her and train her and she was attentive and obedient. Lilia passed therapy dog training with flying colors. And recently, both were certified as a therapy dog team through Therapy Dog International. Both Lilia and Jim had a new purpose.
In Dr. Rick Warren’s hugely successful book, The Purpose Driven Life, he states, “The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It’s far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose.” His purposes for us are far greater than even we can imagine. They can sometimes seem overwhelming or scary and it’s easy to see why some choose to not act at all. When the job is over or the kids have flown the nest, we might think that our purpose is over but in God’s mind, it has only begun. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,” plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) His purposes are always meant for our good.
Often, as in the case of Jim and Lilia, it is meant for the good of many others as well. Jim and Lilia light up the lives of a few local senior centers and they are now about to embark upon training for visitation at a Hospice Center. God has used Jim’s many years on the police force as a training ground for serving the community in a new way. And little did Lilia’s former owner know that his years of training Lilia would serve her well just when most dogs are settling into old age. What we think are purpose is may just be God’s way of preparing us for repurposing towards something entirely different. Our job is to open our eyes and our minds to whatever that purpose may be.
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