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Listen while you read: "Yield Not To Temptation"1
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Psalm 143:8b – Show me where to walk, for I give myself to You. (NLT)
I recently moved twenty miles across town to be closer to my daughter's family, and I have enjoyed being able to help them by occasionally house/dog-sitting for them when they need to be out of town for a short time.
Daisy, their aging Weimaraner, loves to go on her daily walk to the neighbourhood park. As soon as I get up in the morning, she is eager and ready to head out the front door. Her love of walking, with me as her master, bears a lot of similarity to our daily walk with Jesus, our Lord and Master.
Taking Daisy on a walk early in the morning is ideal when it avoids the heat of the day and guarantees that the events of a busy day won't crowd out the walk. Spending time with Jesus first thing in the morning is best while we're fresh and before Bible reading and prayer turn into a chore later in the day.
Daisy has a retractable leash which gives her limited freedom. She can run ahead of me a bit and do a little exploring as she goes. Nonetheless, I am the one holding the leash, and I am the one ultimately in charge. As believers, we also have considerable freedom in daily living. When more than one acceptable choice is within the parameters of God's direction for our life, He may say, "Either of these choices — or even forks in the road — is pleasing to Me. You may choose."
On our walk, Daisy may face potential danger. She needn't fear that yapping little ball of fur headed our way because she can trust me to protect her. I have her best interests at heart, and I will watch over her. We, too, may also face danger along life's road, but our heavenly Father is watching over us with great love and compassion.
Finally comes my favourite part of our walk — the homeward stretch. As we near home, I often let Daisy off leash, allowing her to explore and to enjoy her own front yard for a final few moments. Then, I say, "Daisy, it's time to go home. I'll meet you at the front door." She readily runs up the steps, knowing that just inside awaits fresh water and a doggie treat. What a joy it will be for Christians when we see Jesus, face-to-face, in heaven! God knows our way, birth to death, and He will surely take us home.
Something to think about: While we wait for God's call home, will we determine to serve Him faithfully to the end? He has planned our walk in advance and is ready to welcome us home.
Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, thank You for planning our earthly walk, knowing our route and the time that we have. May we be eager and ready to come home when You call. Amen.
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About the author:
Gail Lundquist <gail10833@gmail.com>
Beaverton, Oregon, USA
Send your feedback to the author
A good comparison, Gail.
Gail, this is a heartwarming analogy to our daily walk with Jesus.
Amen Gail.
Have a wonderful day.
Blessings.
Thank you, Gail, for a very interesting devotional today with a great message.
Gail, you have given an excellent outline for Kids Time story.
Thanks.
Lots of good stuff, as always, Gail, even ‘tho’ I’m not a “doggie” person! Much appreciate your vivid writing!
Gail,
I truly enjoyed this reflection and comparison to GOD.
Thanks,
(CA)
Hi Gail,
Your message was very meaningful for me this morning. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Blessings.
Good analogy, Gail! It reminds me of all the dogs I see straining at their leash, choking themselves when they could be more comfortable by walking calmly next to their owner… just as we often walk against God’s will and feel the consequences.
Thank you, Gail, for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. My Sunny Sunshine is often like that yapping ball of fur you encounter on your walks. She also needs me on the other end of her leash to guide her as we go to keep her out of trouble. Blessings.
Morning, Gail,
I just read your devotional and it made me smile as I envision you and the dog having your morning walk. Thank you once more for your very relevant writing.
Thank you, Gail, for this delightful devotion. I too walk my dog and could visualize everything but will see differently now. I usually talk with God when walking Mia but never thought about the other.
Thank you and God bless.
Dear Gail,
I want to thank you for another inspiring devotional. These words were balm for my soul and delightfully expressed. Again, so many thanks!
Blessings, Joy, Laughter,
(Canada)
Dear Gail:
Thank you for serving our Lord and all readers with your wonderful devotionals!
This morning’s was most uplifting!
Keep writing for our Lord and Saviour!
Blessings.
God bless you Gail,
Thank you for taking me on your walk with Daisy to explore God’s loving guidance and the ‘treat’ He has prepared for us when we return home.
May God fill all your walks in this life with the peace and joy of His presence.
Blessings.
Greetings Gail,
I so enjoyed your devotional this morning as I take my neighbour’s little dog for walks and the experience is very similar to your adventure with your daughter’s dog. Your analogy of comparing how our Lord safely walks us through our daily lives is so true. I always enjoy your writings. Blessings.
O my! The Daily dog walk. How I miss it when the vet said I was no longer stable enough on my feet to handle an energetic dog. What a joyful and unexpected devotional from you today, Gail! I love every bit of it and reminds me of all the years I did the same and how applicable that experience is to the committed Christian life! Yay for using the little things as reminders of our faith and hope. Yay for you.
Thank you for this. I had a learning experience with my granddaughter’s dog this summer. They were living with us and I would take Ellie for walks. She pulled on the leash and I don’t like that. So I learned how to train her to walk right beside me. I talked to her the whole way — saying “Listen to me. Look at me. Don’t get distracted. Stay right with me.“ About the second day, I knew that God was saying the same to me as I was going through a rough spot at the time. Ellie and her “mom” have since moved out. But it is a lesson I won’t forget.
Good morning, Gail,
What a beautiful start to my day enjoying your walk with the doggie and your faith. I could feel your joy as you compare walking with Jesus and our reward and walking with Daisy and her reward. It is so true that if we start our day close to God, our day will be more about walking and sharing with him and definitely not a chore. I must admit that this is much easier now that I am retired and have more control over my day and less pressures in my life. May we always walk with God and look forward to come home when He calls. Thank you for an encouraging devotional. Blessings.
Thank you, Gail, for today’s devotion lesson. I have often enjoyed your writings and today’s is no exception. It has prompted me to encourage you to keep up the good work.
Not being a dog owner by choice, I do not have the task of walking the dog each day, but have helped out my sister with her dog. You have described perfectly how this task emulates our daily walk with our Christ as our Master. My favourite line in your devotion (She needn’t fear that yapping little ball of fur headed our way…) brought a chuckle to my morning read, and I thought how accurately you portrayed possible incidents that face us each day. In my walk today, I think there will be a sudden smile when little problems appear in my path.
Thanks again, and blessings to you.
(ON, Canada)