Ellie and I walk around a nearby schoolyard five or six days a week. When we are at the schoolyard, she is always on a 30-foot leash. There are two reasons for this.
First of all, she is a hound. She is driven by her nose. If she catches the scent of something interesting, she will be off! I have read that beagles can run at least 20 mph. She can run at least that fast. More importantly, she can run faster than I can! Having a 30-foot leash gives her plenty of freedom to move and sniff but gives me a way to hold her back if I need to.
The second reason is that the schoolyard is not entirely safe for Ellie. Even though there is new fencing around the perimeter, there are several places where she could easily fit under it. Other things could also present a hazard, and my goal is to always keep her safe.
On Monday, as we walked around, she was busy sniffing. She had the whole length of the leash, but it wasn’t taut. I followed behind, simply watching her. At one point, she must have heard me step on a branch or something, because she turned toward the sound.
When she saw me, she seemed surprised. I think she was so caught up in what she was smelling, she thought she was alone. She tilted her head, and her eyes seemed to show genuine surprise.
Why was that? Because while she was doing what hounds do, she forgot about me. I was there every step of the way, but her mind was concentrating on the ground and not on me. She didn’t even remember I was there.
As cute as the look on her face and the tilt of her head were, it made me a little sad. Not because Ellie had forgot I was there, but because I knew there were way too many times in my life that I have simply not thought about the Lord. I hadn’t thought of Him being part of whatever equation in my life I was trying to figure out.
Yet, He is ALWAYS there, at the end of my leash, keeping me safe, watching out for me, ready to jump in and guide me if my feet go astray.
How wonderful it is that we have a Lord who not only loves us…but who loves to know everything about us…who is intimately involved in every aspect of our lives, even if we don’t remember He is there. He is, and He will be, forever there.
I am reminded of a verse from one of my favorite hymns,
Fear not; I am with you. Oh, be not dismayed,
For I am your God and will still give you aid;
I'll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
(How Firm a Foundation)
"He shall cover thee with His feathers,
and under His wings shalt thou trust:
His truth shall be thy shield and buckler."
Psalm 91:4
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