I pulled my rolling suitcase over the threshold and closed the front door. The last thing I saw was my dogs’ forlorn faces staring through the glass panes, big brown eyes seeming to grow wider and sadder by the minute.
My husband and I were on our way out of town for a week. We don’t vacation often, and when we do, we usually bring our dogs. This time, we couldn’t. But, despite what I imagined going on in my pets’ woeful minds, we weren’t abandoning them!
We’d gone out of our way to provide nearly round-the-clock care for Kelly and Ike from a team of loving family members. My mother-in-law had even agreed to move in overnight so they wouldn’t feel lonely!
So why did I feel guilty as I walked away and hefted my luggage into the car? Did my dogs understand what was happening? And more importantly, did they know we’d be back? It must be a frightening feeling, watching a loved one walk away and not knowing if they’ll return.
Will you ever come back? That’s one question we never have to ask our Lord. He promises he will never leave us.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, ESV)
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV)
We may leave God, but He will never leave us. At times when we are feeling particularly alone and lost, we can always turn to him, and He is there. We never need to fear being alone, because He is with us. He won’t abandon us. No, not ever.
As our car pulls out of the driveway, and we set off on vacation, I wonder how my dogs will fare. I remember their sweet faces, big eyes and adorable head tilts and assume they’re feeling sad or lonely.
I can’t really be sure what my dogs are thinking–most of us pet parents fall prey to anthropomorphizing, at least a little. But one thing I hope I can help them feel is security in the sense that when I do leave, I will return. I won’t abandon them, no, not ever.
