I got chased!

I got chased this morning! 🐕
Okay. So I’m just walking, listening to a sermon, thinking about what I’d make the kids when I got home. I’m less than half a mile from home, so I’m not paying much attention. A lot of my neighbors have pets, but it’s not an issue… most have an invisible fence, so I’m not scared walking or running in the neighborhood. Again, me— minding my business, I hear a dog barking 🐕, but don’t pay attention to it. Remember, invisible fence. Suddenly, the barking is nearer, closer on the right side (street) instead of the left (yard). I turn around and see Roxie (I don’t know the dogs name, but for the sake of the story, she needs a name, and yes - I decided it was a she because she was spicy!!) literally on my heels. 😳😳 My first instinct is to run! Like, Jackie Joyner Kersee run.
‘Half a mile.
Cut through the woods.
Dodge the limbs and jump over the stream.
Pray there’s no snakes.
Um. Maybe I can be home in 3 minutes or so.’
All thoughts running through my head. And y’all, she wasn’t even a big dog. And don’t ask me what kind, but she was like a medium size… But she was UPSET! She was barking like I was attacking her momma! How dare I walk past her house and with that light on?! Again, spicy. 🐶
I fight my natural flight instinct, and calmly say, “good morning. Do you want to walk with me?” I hold my hand down to her so she can sniff me.✋🏾Roxie is still barking, loudly. I keep talking to her, and she’s obviously not impressed… I turn to walk again, and Roxie takes off after me again!
Still fighting the flight instinct, I just keep talking and keep my hand where she can sniff if. Finally, after what seems like forever (it was literally only like 3 minutes), my neighbor comes out yelling for Roxie to “get back here!” I immediately remember seeing them several times out walking. Roxie is torn between obedience and protection. She’s determined to not let me walk away, but knows she needs to go back to her master. The choice was hard for her. Her barking spoke of her protest while my neighbor profusely apologized. With my heart rate slowing down, I laughed, and started walking away, back towards home.
Then I realized, I’m more like Roxie than I’d like to admit. I’m often distracted by something going on, barking loudly at something in my path, leaving the comfort of home to engage with the world, only to realize, the best place for me, is with the Master. I don’t have to deal with things that He can handle. It takes away from time in His presence. He wants to walk with me, not see me choosing to chase after something else. He wants to lead me, guide my path, not watch me helplessly screaming and putting myself in danger. Roxie taught me so much this morning. Through her pursuit, her barks, and finally, her obedience to her master. Today, allow Him to walk with you, and deal with obstacles in your path.