Rocky For Short

Rocky For Short

Psalm 23: 4-6

Happy Day All ~

I gritted my teeth and tried to remain as calm and "adult like" as possible while I hollered out, "Rocky, COME here!" Rockingham is the full name of my parent's sassy little yorky, who we call Rocky for short. (My sweet little nephew Thomas used to yell, "Here, Rocky for short. Here boy!" Thinking his nickname was "Rocky for Short".) The itsy bitsy dog is way too big for his britches and darts here and there faster than a pinball flicked by the rubber flippers. Rocky and I were supposed to be taking a walk, but he decided running all over, paying absolutely no attention to my frequent calls to come back and wreaking havoc in the neighborhood fit more to his agenda. (I know what you're thinking, "Why didn't you just use a leash?" Yeah, that is a good question I suppose, but we never needed one for my dog, Pandora. My mom & dad didn’t even own one. So, habit I guess...)

When suddenly, out of nowhere, Rocky heard the deep, threatening barks from a dog quadruple his size. He came bounding to my side like I was his long lost buddy and why hadn’t I called or written? I picked up the scrawny little guy and his quivering body snuggled into my shoulder and neck like we were made for each other.

I love that silly dog. It didn’t matter to me that he had been ignoring my every command all morning. Ain’t no way (to all you English teachers; pardon my language) I was going to let that big dog get him or even intimidate him. At that moment, my main goal was to make sure that Rocky knew he was safe with me! I snuggled him right back and carried him the whole way through the scary part of our walk.

That seems like an unimportant event in the routine of life, yet that day God used it to speak a life lesson to me. He showed me the big ole dog in my life may not go away, but He would walk with me and even hold me tight through the scary part! I know sometimes it feels you are walking it alone, but rest assured you have never left His sight, not even for a second! He's holding you, interceding for you, and making a way where there seems to be no way!

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” Psalm 23:4-6