Every Day Miracles - The Dog

Walking on the Centennial Trail near our home, which winds along the Spokane River, I was enjoying the crisp morning air with blue skies and talking with the Lord. Financial worries weighed heavily on my mind, and I felt the need to lay them before Him. I knew He heard my prayers, because in 1 Peter 5:7, I read, “Cast all your anxiety on Him for he cares for you” (The NIV Study Bible.) Intent on praying, and watching birds fly over the water, I was startled to see a big German shepherd up ahead on the path. For a fleeting moment I felt an overwhelming fear. Lately, I had heard stories about dog attacks. “Lord,” I prayed softly, “you know my fear of big dogs, could you take him out of my way, somehow?”
I’m not sure what I expected the Lord to do; reach down and send him scurrying home, perhaps. I looked around the trees and found a broken branch. It seemed sturdy enough to scare him. But, when I looked up, he darted into the field. I waited to see if he was going up the hill to one of the homes, but I lost track of him.

Tentatively, I walked forward. I had to go this way to get home. I couldn’t stand here all day, waiting to see where the dog went. I picked up the pace a little, singing softly and swinging the stick back and forth with vigor. I think my actions were more to give me confidence than to intimidate the dog.

As I reached the place where I thought the dog had gone under the fence, I looked and gasped. There he sat quietly behind a bush, watching me. How about that? I thought. God answered my prayer – and very quickly too. It was as if an angel had the dog on a leash, waiting for me to pass. Later, I looked back and watched the dog slip from behind the bush and saunter on down the trail.
Walking home, I smiled. Those things that weighed on me when I started out this morning, melted away.

Thank you, Father. You proved again your word is trustworthy!