Running with the Big Dogs

Much of my adult life has been spent avoiding exercise, and quite honestly, I did an excellent job of avoidance for many years. However, a couple of years ago I got tricked into exercising. We were having a very hot summer. So hot in fact, that our dogs were having no fun. All they wanted to do was lay in the air conditioning and sleep. Even the evenings were too hot to take them out for a walk. So, I decided, in their best interest, I would get up and take them for a walk early in the morning before it got too hot. And so it began... and it was nothing like I had envisioned. What I had forseen as a leisurely walk around the neighborhood was actually two big dogs dragging me around the neighborhood huffing and puffing.

I decided that something had to change. These dogs were out of control (more like in control, of me) and I needed to show them who was boss. But, no matter how many episodes of "The Dog Whisperer" I watched, they still wanted to run. With no sign of Cesar in site to get them under control, I began to pick up my pace and try to keep up with them. After all, they did need the exercise and I couldn't send them out by themselves. Someone had to sacrifice and that someone was going to be me.

Here we are over two years later, and four days or so a week I still drag myself out of bed to run with our dogs. Okay, "run" may be a bit of an exaggeration; but anyway, I get out there and do more than walk. I never would have thought it in the begining, but I actually look forward to our run. Not only has it been good for me physically, it has also taught me a great deal spiritually.

Many mornings, as we head back towards home, there is a winding section of the street where I will close my eyes and let the dogs lead me as we run. As I run with my eyes closed, I am overcome with freedom. I envision what it must truly be like to let God lead me. On the best days, which don't come often, one dog will be on either side of me. With my eyes closed I rely on my other senses. I listen for the sound of cars. I feel the tug of the dogs’ leashes guiding me. Occasionally, I take a peak to make sure we are on track, but for the most part I let the dogs lead. I imagine this must be how it is when we truly turn everything over to God. The Holy Spirit is surrounding us, and we get to run hand in hand with Jesus on one side, and the Father on the other, together keeping us between the lines. It's an incredible feeling even though it usually lasts only a moment, until I am abruptly brought back to reality. Like this morning when Easton took a detour and took me stumbling into a neighbor's yard. (Thank goodness we have sloping curbs in our neighborhood and not 90 degree angles.) But side tracking is part of the journey as well. I relate that to worldly temptations pulling me off God’s track. But the other dog is there to pull against the temptation and pull me back on track, much like Jesus or the Holy Spirit do in my spiritual walk. It is an amazing thing to give up control and trust that you are being let on the right path. It is an incredible freedom that I never recognized until I was brave enough to run with the big dogs, with my eyes shut.

Of course, as an attorney, I have to disclaim that I do not recommend that you run with your eyes shut. You may get hurt.

"...let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix
our eys on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our our faith..."Hebrews
12:1-2

My prayer:
Jesus, show me how to walk hand in hand with you; to fix my eyes upon you so that the ways of the world do not pull me off your chosen path. Give me the courage to close my eyes to the world and seek your presence where ever I am and allow you to lead me along life's winding paths. Amen.