How to Become More Connected with Christ
In the fall of 2020, I began the process of applying for a guide dog from Leader Dogs for the Blind.
I know what you’re probably thinking because I’ve heard it many times before… “You have to apply? Shouldn’t anyone who is blind automatically be qualified for a guide dog?”
Actually, this is far from the truth because there is a lot more that goes into using a dog as a mobility tool than simply grabbing hold of the harness handle and being led everywhere you want to go.
As the dog’s handler, it is your responsibility to give your dog directions such as where to go and when to cross the street. The dog’s only responsibility is to follow your directions and guide you there safely.
As a result, the application process ensures that you have an adequate level of orientation and mobility skills to work with your dog as a team and that you can properly care for and provide for your new furry companion.
You must gather personal references, explain your normal daily travel routes, and send a video of you traveling one of these routes with your white cane. It was definitely a daunting task!
Sara Claudia practicing her orientation and mobility skills with her white cane on the square in Carrollton.
Finally, in February of 2021, I found out that I had been accepted into the guide dog program at Leader Dog.
In July, I received the call that they had matched me with a dog and I would begin training in August. I flew from Atlanta to Michigan on August 2nd where I called the Leader Dogs for the Blind campus in Rochester my home for 3 weeks.
On the flight to Michigan, I experienced an emotional whirlwind of excitement, anxiety, nervousness, and pure joy! I knew that building a bond and a working relationship with my dog would be a challenging journey, but one that would also be very rewarding and well worth the wait and hard work.
On the first Wednesday during my three weeks stay, I met my dog.
Prior to this meeting, I knew nothing about him…not his name, his breed, or his age…nothing.
The experts at Leader Dog for the Blind take a lot of time to match their clients with a dog that will best suit their personality and lifestyle, and I think they do an awesome job.
My instructor knocked on my door at about 1 o’clock on Wednesday and asked if I was ready to hear about my dog.
Of course, I said yes!
She told me that he was a Black Lab Golden Retriever cross, he was 68 pounds, and his name was Jackson.
Then she told me to sit in the chair in my room with a handful of treats and that she would be back shortly with my new guide.
A few minutes later when they arrived, I called his name, he ran over and covered me with kisses, and my life instantly changed forever.
Sara Claudia and Jackson, her guide dog, giving each other kisses while on the Leader Dog campus.
From the moment my dog was issued to me, we were joined at the hip.
He moved into my room, I took him to all of my meals, and we trained together for about 8 hours each day.
This constant connection was a lot for both of us to get used to, but it ultimately fostered a strong relationship that produced communication, trust, and success as handler and guide.
In John 15, Jesus says this to His disciples,
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
(John 15:4-5, ESV)
The word “abide” in this sense means to “stay with” or “remain connected to.”
A photo of a green vine with text that says, "abide to stay with or remain connected to with Sara Claudia Ministries logo on the top left.
If a branch becomes disconnected from the vine, it isn’t going to produce any of those delicious grapes.
Likewise, as Jesus was telling His disciples in this passage, if we become cut off or disconnected from Jesus, we are not going to foster any of the peace, joy, patience, faithfulness, or other fruits of the spirit that are mentioned in Galatians 5.
We have to stay connected to Christ in order for the Holy Spirit to truly take root in us and allow those attributes to blossom so that we can live our lives as a testament of God’s glory.
How can we ensure that we are remaining connected with Christ despite our busy and hectic lives?
We can take a few minutes each day to get to know Him better through Scripture.
This can seem overwhelming, but, if you are new to studying God’s word, don’t be afraid to simply take it one verse at a time or find an accountability partner who can read with you and help you stay grounded in God’s word.
We can remain in constant prayer all throughout our day so that our line of communication with Him always stays open.
Yes, it is great to have that devoted, quiet prayer time, but we can also talk to God in the check-out line in the grocery store, right before that big meeting at work, or during our exercise routine. He is always listening!
We can devote time to simply listen.
By keeping our ears, hearts, and minds open and focused on Christ, we can give Him time to guide, teach, and comfort us wherever we are and in any situation.
Lastly, we can remain connected to Christ by involving Him in every aspect of our lives from what we watch and read to how we speak and act.
During my three weeks of training at Leader Dog, through staying connected with my dog and forming a strong foundational relationship, we produced trust, communication, and mutual respect.
Likewise, when I was needing a different type of relationship and guidance after losing my sight, through becoming connected with Christ my life began to transform from something dark, scary, and hopeless into something more promising and full of hope.
Yes, by myself, I am weak, broken, limited, and disabled. Yes, from a human perspective life is hard, hopeless, and impossible at times.
However, as long as I abide in Christ, stay connected to the Vine, and allow Him to prune me, tend to me, and bear fruit in my life, I know that blessings are bound to blossom in a future season.
