Between the Tangerine Skies
Jimmy, our youngest daughter’s Border Collie, herded me out the door, poking his nose into my hip, prompting me to hurry as I closed the front door behind us. The morning was dark and chilly. Not even the sun was stretching and yawning its rays. Jimmy spun down the sidewalk and sat and shook all over with excitement. No sooner was his leash snapped on, was he leading me through the best adventure of his day.
Walking is something I enjoy. But not with Jimmy. He perpetually needs to be told to heel. With an almost rhythmic cadence I tell him, “Heel,” over and over. Each time he looks over his shoulder with a surprised expression. He has the attention span of a goldfish. Border Collies have the need for speed. And Jimmy is a land shark, dressed in black and white, moving speedily like some earth roving orca.
Overhead, I notice a few stars shining brightly on this morning excursion. They are a joy to behold. I will never get tired of admiring the canvas of His creation. But my attention is reluctantly focused on Jimmy. Heel. Heel. Heel. A constant reminder for him to stay in step with my pace.
Suddenly, he morphs from tail-between-the-legs walking posture, to show-dog stance. As his herding instinct goes on red alert, his pace slows. Deer up ahead! Jimmy’s favorite activity besides eating is herding deer that venture into our yard. These deer, however, continue on their way, unaware a game of chase was saved for another day. As I urge him on, the leash momentarily slackens, and I’m afforded another glorious view. The morning light begins to mix with an amazing palette of color.
As we finish our loop around the neighborhood and make it back to the end of the driveway, Jimmy sits obediently. Expectantly. The leash comes off. Looking in his face I hold my hand under his muzzle, wait. And give him the command, “free.” Immediately he races down the drive, darting across the yard for the frequent race down the chain-link fence with the neighbor dogs. It’s a tough competition, but they play for the fun of it.
Jimmy artfully runs back to me smiling. We turn to go back inside. But I stop. I have to get one more glimpse of the morning sunrise. It’s probably starting to crest more brilliantly now. I turn and without thinking breathe, “it’s a tangerine sky.” The splendor is absolutely glorious.
There has to be a message here.
Consider:
We’ll never see God’s best if we don’t lift our heads. We have a choice whether to let circumstances hold our attention or put our focus on the Father. Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God. (Psalms 43:5 NKJV)
Adoring His majesty is an expression of our worship. I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works. (Psalms 145:5 NKJV)
Don’t limit yourself to purposeful fellowship only at the start or end of your day with your Heavenly Father. We’re called to have relationship with him throughout the moments of our day.
Between the tangerine skies.