I Would Walk 100 Miles

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Their noses were wriggling and their tails were wagging like crazy as they kept their faces to the ground, sniffing out every scent along the way. They were so engrossed in the ground at their feet that they didn’t notice the beautiful deer about a hundred yards ahead, right in the middle of the trail! The deer detected them, however, and quickly disappeared into the thick of the woods, leaving only another scent for the pups to investigate.

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Zoey (pink collar) and Kaylee (purple collar).

We did it! Kaylee and Zoey (our two puppies) and I completed the 100 by Summer Dog Walking Challenge. We walked over 100 miles from the first day of spring until now, traveling through gorgeous meadows, along various creeks, up and down hills, through woods, on roads, and more, savoring every step.

At times, as I mentioned earlier, the pups get so engrossed in the path at their feet that they don’t notice what’s right in front of them. In their defense, I suppose the smells they are experiencing are beauty enough for them. Their obliviousness to the deer made me think of a song Lauren Daigle sings called “Look Up Child” (Link to video in case you want to check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NAYz0zh_Es). It reminds me to look up and not get so engrossed in what’s at my feet that I miss the beauty all around me. That makes me think of the Flyleaf song “All Around Me” (Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN0FFK8JSYE) . Another good message.

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The pups always look up to say hi to their favorite cow friend.

As you and I walk through life, we are invited to walk with God. How amazing is that?!? The One who created us desires relationship with us. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, please feel free to reach out to me. Whatever happens does not change who God is, and God is love. He wants you and me to walk with Him every step.

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

Whatever happens does not change who God is, and God is love.

 

Lost and Found

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He went walking by very quickly as I entered the store with my grocery cart. He looked only about four years old. I didn’t see any adults nearby, so I watched to make sure he was with a grown up. He wasn’t. His fast walk quickly turned into a run, and the tear rolling down his cheek made it apparent that he was lost. I left my cart and caught up with him just as he was getting ready to run out the door. A store employee joined me, and we assured him that we would find whomever he was looking for.

By this time the poor boy was so upset and scared that he could barely talk. After again reassuring him, he told us his name. An announcement was made over the loudspeaker, and we waited with anticipation for someone to come forward and be reunited with this little one. A few minutes later a young woman came rushing up. Much to my surprise, she began yelling and calling him a bad boy. I explained that he was looking for her, and he got scared. She seemed to settle down a bit then.

I couldn’t help a tear rolling down my cheek now. I had been expecting a happy reunion filled with relief and reassurance for that young boy. Perhaps the young mother was simply distraught and that is why she lashed out at her son. It was heartbreaking to see this little boy practically shaking with fright get yelled at. Children are a treasure.

In contrast to this scene, Jesus told a story about a shepherd looking for a lost sheep. This shepherd had 100 sheep, but one got lost. You might think that he wouldn’t bother looking, because he still had 99 sheep. This wasn’t the case, though. The shepherd left the other 99 and went searching for that one lost sheep. When he found it, he scooped it up into his arms, carried it home, and called everyone together for a celebration. What a beautiful picture of being found! Jesus loves each of us that much.

Hopefully that young mother later reassured her son of her love. Hopefully she realizes how loved she is. Hopefully you realize how loved you are!

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” I John 4:16

Please treasure your children.

Some treasures of my life are below: