We had just dropped Madison and Elijah off to school when Faith was turning into her subdivision. As soon as she made the right turn we saw a dog running in the middle of the road with no owner in site. A man had been walking and I thought maybe it\u2019s his dog but then when he passed by in a different direction we knew it wasn\u2019t his. Faith couldn\u2019t help but stop and try to get the dog who at this time was about to run into the busy road filled with cars getting their little ones to school or those headed to work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She was able to get the dog away from busy street and get him to walk towards the car. Little Joshua waited in the car with excitement in his eyes as he saw his mom bring the small dog towards the car. Faith wondered who he belonged to and then realized how would she know what house to return him to. I told her to look on the collar. To our surprise there was a number!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I dialed the number and a lady who was soft spoken answered on the third ring. I told her my friend found her dog and we wanted to return him. She was so grateful. I know because of how adorable the small dog was, someone would have wanted to keep him. In a matter of minutes Joshua\u2019s new friend was reunited with his owner. After thank you\u2019s, hello, and goodbyes were exchanged we were on our way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As I drove off I saw a bright smile on Faith\u2019s face. I wonder at the time had she realized she was that dogs angel. The man could have stopped and tried to help the dog, but didn\u2019t. I could have asserted myself more, but didn\u2019t. But God used the right one to return this dog and ensure his safety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How many of us have been like a dog wandering on the loose? Were we seeking to be found or running in the opposite direction in hopes of escaping whatever has held us captive? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes our minds can play tricks on us: they can hold us in captivity without even realizing it. Our thoughts can cause mental anguish. How about how we cope with change? That can surely cause us to drift. Or even being in a bad relationship, on a horrible job, being sick, feeling down, you name it. All of these things can cause us to go astray and run towards sin and temptation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But God!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The same way God put Faith in the right place at the right time to return this persons dog; God places people in our lives to help us keep the course. Whether it be a mom redirecting, a grandmother praying, a father giving stern advice, a teacher helping a person grow, the Pastor teaching, or a friend to listen\u2026God uses all of us to help keep each other straight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I remember shortly after my mom passed away, I roamed helplessly longing for her touch, her voice, her gentle hug, or just anything from my mom. I waited for the day I would stop feeling so alone. I was like a dog without his owner and no collar for someone pull my chain. I lost all sense of security. It was the first time in my life that I felt like if I fell I had no one to help dust off the dirt and encourage me to get up again. Again, I was left feeling heartbroken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the most beautiful thing happened. I found that reassurance in a tangible way through the kind words of Ms Rita, Ezelda, Ms Rembert, and others. I felt the tenderness of my moms heart in Jasmine, Faith, Jamika, Kelly, and so many others. I saw her beauty through her church family and friends. I found peace in communicating with her siblings and endless conversations with Regis where I saw his growth. My mom would be proud of him! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You see even though God called her home and she wasn\u2019t here with us physically; I got my \u201cdaily dose of mom\u201d through the subtle glimmers of God\u2019s children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I mean I\u2019ve felt lost several times in my life but that was one of the toughest times and no one could have prepared me for the road ahead of loosing both parents before the age of 35. All of my hopes and dreams of mommy and daddy babysitting, feeding my babies stewed tomatoes and rice, going fishing, taking them to Goodwill, reading the Bible to them, and all of the other sweet, tender things came to a halt when mommy and daddy went on home to be the Lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the positives outweigh my grief. The positives outweigh my pain. I\u2019m so glad God kept His loving arms around me and although I felt alone, as scripture has taught us, He will never leave us nor forsake us. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n So today I bless God for His word. I bless God for His protection. I bless God for His assurance. I blessed God for His grace. I bless God for His angels. I bless God for His mercy. Oh I bless God for His love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I don\u2019t know about you this morning but I\u2019m glad for His provision. Oh yes I\u2019m happy and grateful unto my Lord. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you get a chance study Psalm 91. My brothers and sisters a sweet lady by the name of Ms Onnie shed light on this scripture years ago in the Koinonia Women\u2019s Support group that I am apart of and this scripture has been a resounding source of encouragement to all of us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When covid hit, Psalm 91 was prevalent like never before. When death hit, hard times hit, whatever we were going through it helped us. Oh y\u2019all don\u2019t know how much it blessed me and keeps on blessing me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Lord has done great things in our lives and we just have to give Him all the honor and the glory! God has sent His angels to protect us. His Holy Spirit to guide us. He gave His blood so we shall live and live life more abundantly. Oh so we could have life eternally. Y\u2019all I feel like shouting, I feel like praising, I feel like dancing, I feel like testifying, I feel like crying, I feel like clapping, oh GLORY HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!! <\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udc83 JESUS <\/strong>\ud83d\udc83 JESUS <\/strong>\ud83c\udfa4 JESUS <\/strong>\ud83c\udfb6 IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR THE LORD ON MY SIDE WHERE WOULD I BE <\/strong>\ud83d\udc83 I\u2019D BE DEAD AND IN MY GRAVE <\/strong>\ud83c\udfa4 I\u2019D BE OUT HERE STILL LOST. I\u2019D PROBABLY BE STRUNG OUT, LIVING IN A WORLD OF SIN, KILLING MYSELF SLOWLY ON A BOTTLE OR A BAG. I\u2019m not capping, I\u2019m talking some real stuff y\u2019all. Stress can be a potent drug if you don\u2019t have Christ as the antidote. Y\u2019all don\u2019t hear me this morning. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Y\u2019all I\u2019m tired now. I\u2019m sweating. I think I\u2019ve done burnt a couple calories but I\u2019m still on fire for Jesus. Oh glory to be to God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But in all seriousness, thank God today. Oh for when we were lost, He found us. He gave us rest. He has restored our soul. He sent His angels to keep watch over you and I.<\/p>\n\n\n\n