Where did you go?

“God is at home, it’s we who have gone out for a walk.”
Meister Eckhart

It was a warm afternoon when we decided to go for a ride over a piece of wooded property in mid west Georgia. This property is a large tract of land used solely for “recreational” purposes—the hunting of deer and wild turkey. Not being a hunter, I enjoy tagging along and simply enjoy the opportunity of getting outside and riding the 4 wheeler or simply walking in the woods.

As we were riding over an overgrown path, a large turtle shell suddenly caught my eye. My husband stopped long enough allowing me the chance to investigate. Sadly, the shell was empty–slightly broken but not looking old or as if there had been any sort of trauma–the question remained… where in the world was the turtle? Or better, how in the world could a turtle get out?—or maybe the better question is how did something pull the turtle out of its shell?

No matter, he was gone and I was pretty certain he wasn’t coming back–sadly so I thought.

When I saw the quote by Meister Eckhart, I thought how appropriate and perfectly suited it was for this picture of the shell. The empty shell denoting the absence of anyone being “home” and a nice example of ourselves—often out and about with little thought about our comings and our goings. We take the ability of our coming and going pretty much for granted—that is until there is a trouble.

All this reminded me of a verse from Deuteronomy (31:8), one of the first five books of the Bible known as the Pentateuch or simply, The Law— as these books contain the laws and instructions given to Moses and the people of Israel….. “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

It does me well to be reminded that no matter where I go– or, when I go– or, when I come back or even if I come back—that God already knows all of that—He knows my comings and my goings–even if it’s for something stupid like forgetting to pick up the milk and driving all the way back to the store—He knows how “OCD” I can be and that I won’t rest unless I do go back……(He can help me in that area if I’d let Him, but I suppose one character flaw at a time….)

So on this new morning of a new week—when you find yourself dashing and darting here and there… stop for just a moment to ponder that Someone already knows of your darting and dashing—just that single thought may take some of the “hecticness” out your day—helping you to slow down just long enough to be grateful that you’re not having to run about all alone. I find it rather nice knowing that I’m never truly alone—