her little feet moved smoothly along the sidewalk
gliding, one foot in front of the other
as she enjoyed the cool air
and sniffed the smells along the way
I walked along behind her
my pace not as smooth,
as the worries and to do’s
and thoughts about what was next
raced through my mind
the only thing linking her carefree heart
and mine,
the leash I held in my hand
as she finished the task at hand
I turned around for us to head back home,
where the things that were before me
were piled up such that I found it hard to see
I looked up and my eyes
focused on the painting before me,
and it took my breath away
and I was still
and I knew that it was You
You had given me this gift
and in that moment,
and for a few after,
my mind was quiet
and all that had weighted down my steps
was gone
I’m sorry for all the gifts
from You I’ve left unopened
The times I didn’t turn around
but instead continued on
in the muddle of mad thoughts,
thinking I could outwalk the
worries and woes and wickedness
of this life
I am sorry I didn’t turn around
and be still
and see that You were there
always
there
Sometimes we have to stop and turn around to be able to see who has our backs…..