I never cease to be amazed by the LORD; not just what HE does for me, but more so how HE does it. In dire need of some exercise, Troy took me for a minor hike. Hey, just about every meal on the Filipino menu is centered around pork and rice! Anyhow, we head out to Shabarum Park located in the ghetto-fabulous city of Rowland Heights. The serene hills generously decorated with wild flowers and impeccably placed Ume trees, dress up the park so well you definitely forget you're in a L.A. suburb. It is quite a sight in the spring when these Japanese beauties are clothed in pink and white all while the soundtrack of a running creek play in the background. The curvaceous trails have become a calling card for dog owners, including my Troy Boy.
Upon entering the park, Troy anxiously presses his snout against the glass painting it with slobber and fog; yeah he knows where we are. Needless to say he darts out of my truck giving me no chance of lasso-ing him with a leash. Seems like it's going to be "one of those days". Using my superior human ability of reasoning, I maneuver my hand into my back of tricks producing...a Scoobie Snack! Ha, Troy can't resist and bingo, got the leash on him. He restlessly pulls me to the left, wrestles to the right, and yanks every which way except towards the trail head.
It didn't take more than forty yards for my impatience to surface with Troy's disobedience. I couldn't figure out why he would not just submit, just follow the direction I wanted to go. After all I am the one in control here not him, I know where we want to go, not him. Then it hit me; it's EXACTLY what I do with HE who is in control of my life. The ONE who knows where we have to go. OUCH!
You see, I haven't spent much time with Troy as of late. And it's not just because of the trip to the Philippines. I must be honest with myself. I have not been diligent in caring for him, taking him on walks or hikes, I have done the bare minimum in order not to lose my status as his master. Just like my walk at times with the LORD. Sure I got to church faithfully on Sundays. I even attend two in week studies on Friday nights and Wednesday nights. But I am talking about getting up early, before the hustle and bustle of life monopolizes not only my time but sadly my heart. That intimate refreshing period where I seek HIM just as the prophet Elijah would early in the morning. Just as JESUS himself would to hear from HIS father. If not for guidance, just to say I LOVE YOU, THANK YOU, I want and need more of YOU! That is the time I am talking about. How dare I masquerade my five minutes of demanding HE do things for me as prayer time, just because I concluded it a half hearted i love you?
The LORD used a donkey to speak to Balaam in Numbers 22, then again in Matthew 21 where HE made HIS triumphal entry into the Holy city of Jerusalem. So is it so far fetched that the LORD would minister and convict me via Troy? I don't think so. Malachi 3:6 says "For I am the LORD, I do not change;..." good enough for me! My prayer is that we would all learn to hear HIS voice in life. In the whispering of the wind, in the rising and setting of the sun, in the love from friends and family. Here is one friend saying, "lets spend more time with GOD."
In HIS service,
