Who's Walking Who?

Hi ladies!!
I hope you're enjoying your summer and have been able to have a bit of a break from the regular routine of school, ministry and other activities.
As you know, many GEMS counselors are travelling to conference in Minnesota this week. Please pray for these women as they get ready to leave their families behind to attend conference. Pray for safe travels, peace of mind as they are away, and that they would be refreshed, inspired, and return with renewed faith.
Because of conference, Lenae has not written a devotional for this week. I've posted a devotional I really enjoyed written by Amy from the GEMS staff blog. (a link to their blog is under favorites to the left of your screen.)

Have a blessed week!

I like dogs. Not a ton, but just enough to find enjoyment in my weekly walks with Amber – my elderly friend’s golden retriever. After four years of strolling down the same stretch of pavement every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, we’ve established a good routine.

Depending on the day, we pass a variety of people as we walk. Some stop and chat, others just smile and nod.

There’s the man who carries his oversized golf umbrella – rain or shine. He walks briskly and offers a quick wave with his free hand.

There’s the middle-aged woman and her mother who, every spring, relinquish their Curves memberships in exchange for afternoon walks together. We usually pause briefly to comment on the weather; they like to gauge how much longer they have to enjoy this tradition before the snow forces them back to the gym.

There is the old Jewish man who walks to the Synagogue with his head down and his hands clasped easily behind his back. He never fully acknowledges our presence, but he always smiles as he ambles slowly along.

The guy who mows his lawn twice a week knows Amber by name, as do the three children who ride their bikes with their dad after school in the fall. We always stop for these people, since Amber relishes the attention they give her.

The elderly gentleman who sits in a folding chair in the doorway of his garage will usually wave enthusiastically over his head, but as the days get cooler he calls out friendly reminders, encouraging me to wear a hat to stay warm.

The lady with the little white dogs we usually try to avoid. Her dogs aren’t too fond of Amber, so she crosses the street when she sees us, offering a knowing and apologetic smile as she does.

And then there’s the older gentleman who rides his giant adult-sized tricycle up and down the sidewalk, the woman who power walks to the grocery store, the guy with the fake flowers planted in pots around his yard, the lady who incessantly shovels her driveway each winter, and the couple that circles their block at the same time each Saturday.

I’ve literally interacted with these people hundreds of times. I can anticipate how they will respond to our approach, and I react accordingly.

Until about a month ago.

I had just gotten off the phone with a friend who was struggling. I was praying silently for her as I walked. I’ll do anything for my friends; I fight fiercely for the people I love, but that particular day I felt incapacitated by my own disappointed with God. His seeming lack of action in her situation left me confused and, I’ll admit, a little angry.

That’s when I saw him coming. For four years I’d heard him make the same bad joke every single time we passed him. I’ve never been able to place him: I don’t know where he lives, I’m not sure where he’s going, and I have no clue why he walks the same stretch of sidewalk week after week.

He started laughing to himself as we approached – already amused at his forthcoming wit. He grinned. I was annoyed. I braced myself as he carelessly questioned, “Who’s walking who?” before busting into a belly-laugh and continuing on his way.

I rallied a smile and opened my mouth to offer my usual courtesy laugh, but, for the first time, nothing came out.

As I walked along rationalizing my frustrations to God, the man’s question had forced me to stop. I had expectations of God. Just like the people I meet on my weekly walks, I had my response prepared, and I was anticipating what God would do. I had completed my part of the routine; now I was demanding to know why He wasn’t doing His.

He wanted to know why I insisted on being in control. Who’s walking who, Amy? Who’s in charge? Who’s following whose lead here, anyway?


Right. How silly of that to slip my mind. Insert an attitude adjustment and a realigned prayer for my friend.

It’s easy to invite God into our plans and request His blessing along the way. It’s harder to ask Him to lead us in the routines of everyday life – not to mention the big circumstances and decisions we face. Are you really, honestly, and truly trusting the Good Shepherd to set a path before you? Or are you projecting your dreams and desires onto Him and asking Him to follow along, just in case you need Him along the way? It’s easy to confuse the two; but God definitely knows the difference! Choose to follow His lead.

"I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths." Proverbs 4:11