Proof

Our walks in the morning begin before the sun rises. Most mornings we walk amongst the stars. It’s lovely and quiet and Luna hates it. Every leaf that rustles, every noise like our neighbor honking his horn and starting his car remotely…not that I’m bitter about that… She must stop and smell and look around. My headlamp illuminates our walk safely (peak fashion right here). This is where my patience begins to wane. I know we are safe, every day I must prove it to Luna.

I show her that the shadows are just shadows and as the sun rises, darkness flees. I love the moment I can take off the headlamp, the sky has lightened. I see it before she does. Visibly her little body relaxes, can I really be trusted to know she is safe?

If she could talk, she would tell me all the reasons (as listed previously) for the fears. Why we need to do it her way…ah, but then we would miss out on the stars, the sun rising.

That’s her best life right there. Pillows and blankets. Here’s the interesting thing, she dreads, she fears, etc…but we get to a certain point on the walk and she forgets it all. She enjoys the walk. If I let her just stay in the comfort, she would never know the joy of smells, other dogs, squirrels, etc…

One more thought before I move on. A friend of ours was at a forest preserve in early fall last year. And this little black and white dog ran up to her begging to be picked up. A few weeks later, after many calls, posts, etc, she came up to me at church and reported she had a dog that she couldn’t keep. Wasn’t sure what to do. We took her, our Luna.

Friends, Luna never runs up to people she does not know. In fact, she is suspicious of most. BUT, that day? That day she ran up to our friend and her life was changed forever. And so was ours.

Let’s go back to the beginning of this post, proving that it is safe to walk with me in the dark. God is asking us to trust Him in the dark times. It is safe to walk with Him, even when we can’t see what is next. When we wait for the phone call, or hope for the answer, or see the suffering, it can feel like darkness. So, let me share some gleanings from Scripture that remind me of the truth.

““But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, Descendant of Abraham My friend, You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its remotest parts And said to you, ‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you. Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored; Those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish. You will seek those who quarrel with you, but will not find them, Those who war with you will be as nothing and non-existent. For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41‬:‭8‬-‭13‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer. O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach? How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? Selah. But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself; The Lord hears when I call to Him. Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And trust in the Lord. Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?” Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord! You have put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭8‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

More later…