This morning Nadine and I went for our 4 mile walk. It takes us about 1 hour and 10 minutes from start to finish. There was a light breeze with scattered clouds which made for a comfortable experience. When we got back to the house Nadine decided to add some exercise in the form of a run. With my blessing (she doesn’t need it) she took off.

I made myself a cup of pumpkin spice coffee (it’s fall even though it will be in the 90’s today) and sat down to read. It had been about 15 minutes since she left and my eyes looked up to see the following picture.

Monty, our cavalier King Charles spaniel was sitting on the rug looking at the door that Nadine left as she went on her run. He had been sitting there since she left and hadn’t moved. He would occasionally look to his left and then to his right, but he didn’t move. At one point he laid down, but his gaze was on the door looking with expectancy for Nadines return.  He wasn’t distracted by things around him. He didn’t allow sleep to divert his attention. His desire to eat was put on the back burner. His only focus was on her return. What a loyal friend.

It reminds me of several passages in the bible in which Jesus encourages us to keep watch for His return. “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”Matthew‬ ‭24:42-44‬ ‭NIV

There are so many reminders throughout the day that can encourage us as we journey through this life. This morning that reminder came through my dog. Maybe he can be an encouragement as you take your steps on your journey.