Kobayashi Maru

     

                    Several years ago, I had to take our dog, Phoebe, to the vet to get her canine flu booster.  In the waiting area I saw a couple with a Golden Retriever mix.  Because he had a lot of white on his face and moved slowly, he appeared old.  And even though it was warm outside, he had on a doggie coat.  Since Phoebe does not get along with other dogs, I had to be seated in the other waiting room across from this dog and his family.  I could not hear the whole conversation, but did hear words being said like, “chemotherapy and radiation.”  I heard the woman say, “I just don’t know what to do.”  

     I could only surmise that the couple was going to have to make the tough decision about the cost of trying to save or prolong the dog’s life and the trauma of these treatments on the dog versus euthanasia.  My heart went out to those people because I, too, have been in that boat.  You want to save your pet, but you know you can’t or you realize the cure is worse than the illness.  The thought of euthanasia makes you feel like a murderer.  However, watching or causing your companion to suffer is not a viable option either. 

     Witnessing this exchange reminded me that we all come to a point at some time in our life where, like command cadets of Star Trek's Starfleet Academy, we face our Kobayashi Maru - our no-win scenario.  At such times we may be required to think outside the box, but rarely do we find an answer that doesn’t bring forth some sort of sorrow or negative consequences no matter what we decide, as in the case of the terminally ill dog.  Sadly, no matter what those folks decided, the result in the end was the eventual death of their beloved companion.

      When we are facing the test of our Kobayashi Maru, we are sitting in God’s waiting room.  Whether we want to or not, sometimes we are forced to walk through a dark tunnel caused by a no win situation for a while.  We feel lost, scared, or alone.  The tunnel keeps us from seeing exactly where we are going and what is ahead.  All we can do is bide our time until we are able to get out of that dark place. 

       It is in times like this that we must rely on our faith in the Lord.  Our faith can give us the hope we need order to get us through a tough patch.  We are able to rest in the fact that we do not have to walk through this darkness alone.  If we allow Him, God will walk with us.  By His light, warmth and love, we will be able to get through this time and come out the other side.  And He will see that we come out stronger and perhaps wiser from the experience.    

    

Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9