Today in what was less than flash Sadie was gone. We relaxed and knew she hadn't gone far. We had all just seen her, wasn't it just minutes ago I sent her to find the other Mickey? Amanda knew she had been right there. How did she disappear?
We searched. We hit the street, I checked from the Balcony, we re-checked everywhere we Had checked.
Gone. Nowhere. Time was passing by, we were all out and frantic on the street now except Jim.
Jake left in his car. We were running.
Jim called and said a neighbor had found her, was bringing her back.
Turns out she was pretty far off, barefooted, and hadn't ever gone that direction before when being chased. We were amazed she had gotten that far off!
A miracle.... someone who knew her drove past and saw her. There she was oblivious, very near the border of our ward and neighborhood. Had she gone any farther she would not have been recognized.
She was holding a fistful of broken-off tulip blossoms, and looked as if to say, What's the big deal... and why aren't you paying attention to these flowers? She looked confused and a bit sad.
Not contrite one bit though!
Life lately echo's this pattern. We're lost, don't have a real plan or direction, it's tempting to go where we've never gone before. Escape. Get unrecognizable.
Turns out we're pretty unprepared too. Racing barefoot in the cold weather ahead.
We've gone so far and so much time has passed by. We have had our rescues, someone reaching, and recognizing us.
And here we stand holding fast to our fistful of broken-off tulips with determination. And not wanting to let go and hear or learn what is there that could save us.
And we are old enough, so now no one here will put us on the bench for a time out, and make us think about it!
I think God laughs, like Sadie's mom did, and thinks to himself, "not one bit contrite" either.
