I love going to our cabin in the winter, because I walk my dog in the woods then. In the summer, there are too many bugs and ticks.

I like to be able to let her walk off leash. She does well. She loves to romp ahead of me and stays on the path most of the time. She wags her tail and has a grand time. When we come to a fork in the road, she stops and looks at me as if to say, “Which way, Mom?”

Sometimes she runs ahead of me a little too far, but if I tell her to stop, she waits for me,  always looking back at me. Every now and again, she decides to go her own way. There are too many other interesting things to see that aren’t on the path. Even when I call to her, she ignores me. She is too busy doing her own exploring to listen. At those times, I have to go and bring her back.

Our walks have made me think. Often, I am much like my dog. I obey my Master’s call most of the time. I frequently stop, and look back, and ask the way.

Other times, however, I am stubborn. I run too far ahead. The Master needs to tell me to stop and wait for Him. Sometimes I listen. Sometimes I don’t.

And all too frequently, I go my own way. It’s difficult to stay on the right path. Temptations lure me from the way I know I should follow – too many bright and shiny things in the world. Even when my Master calls me, I ignore His voice. He has to come and lead me back to the right path.

My prayer is that I will learn to walk alongside my Master and to heed his voice. I am so thankful that He is not willing to let me wander far from the way I should go.

How has the Lord led you?