November 10

On our walk this morning, Famous and I started up the gradual incline to the end of the street in our subdivision. The sun had not yet risen and there was a cool, crisp wind blowing, making me glad I had remembered to wear a scarf. Famous seemed a little more energetic as he walked quickly ahead of me, nose held high. The world seemed quiet as there was much on my mind with a busy day ahead. It seemed as though my existence had become a little harder with recent events, and a heavy weight kept my pace behind that of Famous.

It was obvious he had a destination. Get to the end of the road and see if we might cross the street to the school and park. It is not really a game we play, but on another morning when I did not have to leave so early, we might try to beat the traffic and stretch our legs a little longer. He likes the possibility that he might get to sniff “greener pastures.”

But today I would have to give him some excuse, some encouragement that although this was not our day, not his chance to enjoy a little more freedom, there would be a day when we would enjoy one of those long walks together. It would be a sincere promise of hope I would give him, and he would be satisfied to return to the house with me and allow me to prepare for my day.

But before we turned around the sun had climbed just high enough to champion the horizon. Although it was yet too early to strike our faces, when I looked up I saw the most dazzling, golden display of autumn leaves shimmering in the tops of the trees! This I claimed as my promise of hope that my destiny lay not in the actions of men and nations, but in the eternal glory of the One who died out of love for me.