My friend has four small dogs that love to romp and play outdoors. I’ve always thought of myself as a “big dog” kind of girl, but recently I had the opportunity to spend some time at my friend’s house. The personalities and amusing preferences of her furry “kids” won me over. Benji the “old man”, who’s almost 18, can’t see, hear, or smell, but he’s all about finding the next meal. He’s my new hero. Snuggles the white puffball looks like a little miss prissy but she’s always up for a good mud puddle. A pup after my own heart. Kotie wants to be heard. By everyone. No sneaking out at night with her around. And then there’s Cocoa. Cocoa is the trail blazer. Pint-sized as she is, she’s not afraid of anything.
And when the Frisbee comes out, Cocoa’s on a mission.
Each time we went outside, Cocoa ran straight to the Frisbee. As soon as I picked it up, she was gone. Off at full speed! The problem was that she never looked to see where I was throwing it. She ran her course looking straight ahead. After about 20 yards, she’d stop and continue looking ahead, waiting for the Frisbee to drop in front of her. Unfortunately for her, I never threw the Frisbee where she was running. Cocoa would stop and wait. But she never looked to me for instruction. She ran and ran, always expecting the Frisbee to be there. She never waited to see where I would throw it. She never looked back at me so I could point to where it was. She didn’t listen when I called her or tried to tell her where to go.
I laughed at Cocoa. Until I realized she’s so much like me.
How many times have I started running down the path of my life without knowing where I’m really supposed to be going? And when I got down the road, expecting to see something drop in my lap, why was I so surprised when it didn’t? How many times have I expected “it” to happen, but I never looked to God for instruction? How many times have I gone my own way without asking where God is pointing? Without hearing what He’s trying to tell me?
Am I the only one? Anyone else chase after a Frisbee that you never seem to catch?
For all of us Frisbee-chasers, there’s good news! Not only does God want to tell us the way to go, He’ll lead us down the path. We don’t have to run blindly and alone. We don’t have to be disappointed time and time again with empty expectations. God is with us. He’s waiting to show us where to go. But we have to turn to Him. To look to Him and listen. And when He says “go” and points the way, let the tail-wagging begin as we finally catch our Frisbee!
“I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.” Proverbs 4:11
“You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.” Psalm 16:11
May I pray?
Heavenly Father, thank you that no matter how many times we take off running without knowing what direction we really should go, You patiently wait for us to come back. Help us to humbly bring our questions to You today. Help us learn to look to You and listen. Open our eyes to see and our ears to hear. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Q4U: What “Frisbee” have you been chasing and how do you relate to Cocoa?