There’s an older gentleman in my neighborhood who walks with his little dog in the mornings before the heat of the day is overwhelming. This dog isn’t a big dog…he’s a tiny little thing that stays behind his owner looking exhausted at their morning walks. About every ten steps or so, the man will turn around and check to see where his little dog is and will motion for him to keep coming up the street.
This morning I was sitting on my front porch sipping coffee and reading. Anytime I read, I stop and pause for reflection because I want the Holy Spirit to speak to my spirit and give me something for my day. Normally, I don’t come outside in the mornings. One: It’s been hot and humid and I sweat in places that I should not sweat. Two: I’m busy with my morning routine and don’t have time to bring everything outside to sit and read. But today, I needed to be outside.
I needed to hear the birds chirping.
I needed to sit on the swing with my coffee.
I needed a little Vitamin D.
I needed to see my neighbor walking his dog.
As I was sitting and reflecting and trying to put together in my mind what I needed for a lesson tonight, I looked up to see my neighbor and his little dog. I didn’t hear them coming, until they were right in front of my house. I stopped to take a couple of pictures of him walking ahead and also of him stopped and waiting on his friend to catch up. I smiled and my memory went back to about a month ago when he came knocking on our door because his little dog was missing. He was canvasing the neighborhood looking for his dog and asking if we had seen him. My husband let him know we would keep an eye out and let him know if we seen him around. I was laying on the couch listening, but I could tell of the hurt in his voice and the anxiousness of just wanting to find his little dog safe and sound.
If I wouldn’t have decided to take a few extra minutes, I would have missed the Holy Spirit’s visual of the Lord right at the edge of my yard. If I am being honest, I spent most of the day crying yesterday and trying to muster up faith of a mustard seed. I feel like I am running behind like that little dog as fast as my little legs will carry me, but I just can’t ever seem to catch up. I feel like I can’t make it, quite frankly. I’m dog tired. I am not made for this long walk every day…
…but there’s God.
He is just ahead of me, preparing the way. It seems like He should be right beside me, but I know if He is beside me, I can’t follow His footsteps. He wants me to trust Him enough to let Him get ahead and work out the details. When I arrive, I will be able to see the evidence of God all over every step and into my destination. It will be unmistakeable that His hands, His feet and His grace were with me all the way. He makes a way when there is no way…He makes seas into highways…He is a light unto my path.
I love that when I feel like my little dog legs just can’t go any faster and I am relying on myself more than simply following Him, He stops and turns around to wait on me to catch up. He reminds me that He is still ahead and to keep going. As He motions for me to come on, like my neighbor and his tiny companion, I know that where He is taking me will be worth the stress of this moment. In this season of what feels like a drought, He is directing me to trust Him. He will never lead me astray. He is taking me to a land of milk and honey if I will just keep walking.
The best part is when I run off and try to figure things out on my own…take to the streets alone and forget that I can do much more following Him than directing my own adventures, He comes looking for me. He wants nothing more than for me to come back home. Let’s not forget that He went straight to the doors of hell for humanity. He wants me following Him and trusting Him each and every day…
…down every road.
I’ll keep walking.
I’ll keep trusting.
I’ll keep following.
I may be dog tired, but I am resting in His presence at the edge of my yard this morning.