Chapter Twelve - Developing your Friendship with God?

"Draw close to God and God will draw close to you"  James 4:8

As Simone walked slowly through the damp grass , to the picnic table overlooking  the river, she thought about God, and how in this very favorite and familiar spot, she was going to try drawing close to Him.  The air was crisp and cool, and the tiny six week old puppy she carried shivered, so she tucked him under her red fleece jacket.  Sadie, the puppies mother, ran on ahead, sniffing the ground, and taking in all the wondrous smells and sounds of the fall morning.  It made her smile to watch Sadie, it seemed that everything this precious little white dog did warmed her heart. 

Upon arriving at her special location, she set the puppy down, and watched as it romped through the grass toward it's mother.  Sadie ducked and dodged and ran circles around the newly weaned pup, whose only concern was to be nursed.  Simone smiled as she watched for several moments the antics of mother and son, but then she turned her thoughts away to look at the the stagnant river, the trees that not long ago had been lush and green, that were now yellow and orange, and the expanse of still green grass that surrounded her.  In silence she watched a person jogging on the path, and turn the corner.  She was alone, no one was within earshot, and she felt safe to pour out her heart to God. 

Simone  spoke audibly,  and Sadie perked her ears to listen, but  then  laid down and gave into her puppy's wishes.  The the sound of geese flying overhead made her stop talking and she looked up.  "They were leaving", she thought to herself,  and as  sadness overwhelmed her she asked God why she had to stay in this God forsaken place, yet another winter?  Why could she not just be set free to follow her dreams?  What was the purpose for her being here?  She went on and on.

Her sadness overwhelmed her, and soon tears were streaming down her face.  "Oh God" she sobbed "Please help me understand, please!"  She was pleading now, and Sadie came and sat close to her, looking up with her head cocked to one side.   Simone smiled and patted her on the head, and as Sadie licked her hand,  Simone felt as if she were saying, "everything is going to be ok".  Then Simone murmured to Sadie.  "If only God was as good a friend as you are, ". 

The puppy then began nibbling at Simone's toes, so she whisked him up, and looked him in the eyes and gave him a kiss on his cute little black nose.  "It is time to go" she thought, as she put him back down, and walked back to her car, mom and pup following at her heels. 

"Everything is going to be ok" she thought, as she started the engine in her old car and continued on with her day.  "Too bad God couldn't have told me that" she thought,  then she thought again "or maybe he did"?  She smiled at Sadie, and said out loud.  "After all, DOG is GOD spelled backwards".