Lost in the Woods
Israelis call it “The end of the world, turn left.”
That’s how remote my mother-in-law’s cottage is. No phone line. No internet (I drove 20 minutes to a wifi-for-rent spot to the write this). One neighbor a mile over, who is almost never there. So it’s just us and the loons and the lake–SO gorgeous, SO peaceful.
Well, usually.
This past Thursday morning, I walked down towards the lake, but not the regular way. At the bottom of the stairs I turned right, not left, and walked over towards the Frogsville beach, which is where we used to go swimming before Josh’s family built the dock about a decade ago.
Running alongside me were Micka and Lando, the dogs of my mother-in-law and brother-in-law. I’m usually not a fan of dogs. But at the lake, I do feel safer to have them with me.
And after a few minutes of walking, I realized all of a sudden that I had lost the trail. I didn’t know how to get to the lake or back to the cottage. I looked around and felt like I was going to hyperventilate. Where was I? And what other creatures were in the woods with me? A wild dog? A snake? A bear??
But then I looked up and saw Micka and Lando, barking as they quickly ran along… I didn’t know the way, but they did. I couldn’t protect myself if we happened upon certain creatures, but they could.
I followed their lead, and within a few minutes we were at Frogsville.
And sitting crosslegged by the waters of the lake, tears flooded my eyes, remembering that I actually didn’t need Micka and Lando, at my left and at my right.
I am never alone. I am always guarded, always guided.
Yes but Hashem sent the dogs to guide you.
i really needed to be reminded of this. thank you so much.