Jack’s Day Out

We have a good friend who loves to keep our dog, Jack, for us whenever possible. Earlier this week my mother and I had some things to do away from home. We asked our friend if she would like to have Jack for a little while. She happily agreed. “May I take him on the bus?” she asked. Well, Jack had never been on a bus, but this particular friend is excellent in training dogs, so if she wanted to take Jack for a bus ride, that was okay with us.

Later in the day she sent a photo of a smiling Jack sitting on the bus. She told us he sat nicely at the bus stop, and was a perfect gentleman while on the bus, greeting the other passengers in a calm manner. They ended up at a sidewalk cafe where they enjoyed tea and sausage rolls. All was going well, then Jack let out a little whimper. “Are you cold?” our friend asked Jack, as she quickly pulled from her backpack a small square of warm fleece. Jack curled up on it and all was well. Must have been chilly laying on the cold, brick walk.

I couldn’t help but think this is how it is when you and I find ourselves in situations we’ve never been in before. We might move homes, start a new job or school, find ourselves with a group of people we’ve never met before. We suddenly travel a road we never saw coming: a path of grief, illness, financial worries, the list goes on. Perhaps all was going smoothly. You were handling the newness of your situation, when all of a sudden, you’re laying on cold bricks. It’s not comfortable. Perhaps you suddenly want to leave, but instead of struggling to run away, you cry out to the One whose eyes are always on you. You let out a whimper and your Heavenly Father hears. His backpack is plenty big, holding warm fleeces of comfort, peace, and hope, to wrap around you. From the smallest concerns to the biggest trials, your Heavenly Father is ready to provide whatever you need. “The eyes of the Lord are on those who do what is right and good. His ears are open to their cry” (Psalm 34:16 NLT).