My Labrador, Sport, and I walk along the sidewalk. Darkness is just beginning to press down from the sky. The July evening is peaceful. Cicadas thrum in the background. Sport treads confidently beside me.
Suddenly, the calm is broken by a series of sharp whistles. The sky breaks into a display of light. Fireworks. Independence Day is less than a week away. My neighbors must be celebrating early.
Beside me, I hear a yelp. Sport hunkers down close to the grass. He is terrified. To Sport, this must seem to be a bombardment. He has no understanding of firecrackers or bottle rockets. As whistles and crackles continue to fill the air, I kneel next to my terrified dog. I cup his head in my hands and look him in the eyes.
“You’re safe,” I say. “I’m right here.”
His dark eyes seem unconvinced. I understand.
I have been struggling to trust the Lord. It’s been a difficult year. A close friend has broken my trust. My workload has increased exponentially. A relationship has gone unexpectedly awry.
I know that the Lord has promised that He will be with me always. But, lately, I’ve questioned both his presence and his providence.
Sport presses close to me. He is still scared by the cacophony around us. He does not understand the bright bursts of light. But he is trusting that we will get through this together.
And, amidst the noise, I silently pray for a similar faith.
Jesus, help me to rely on Your promises and trust in Your goodness.
—Logan Eliasen
