You’re making good time going to your destination, at least you think you are. Unfortunately, you’ve lost your bearings and are going in the wrong direction. This is what happened to the freshwater crawfish pictured in the bucket.

     I found it beside the sidewalk near the street, far away from the pond it needed. It must have been traveling for quite a while to make it up the hill. The funny flex of its two-inch tail straining in the grass is what caught my eye. Walking to investigate, I realized if the critter kept going in the current trajectory, it would end up on the road and never make it back to the water.

     Quickly returning home, I grabbed an old gray bucket from the garage and returned to find the little crawdad had moved a few more inches. With gentleness I scooped him up in the pail, then took him to the shoreline and released him.

    The encounter reminds me how I often interact with God. I set off on my own agenda, not realizing dangers ahead. God may cordon me off from my objective. I get mad and pout. I don’t have the full picture of what could happen if I persist in headstrong ways.

     God rescues me. He ensures I will be in an environment where I can thrive, even if I can’t see that right away.

 Today’s prayer:

      “But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me” (Psalm 19:12-13 NIV).

      Nature lovers will enjoy the devotional Living Water to Refresh Your Soul. The 8x5-inch square gift book has full-color photographs tracking a spiritual journey along the Palatlakaha River in Lake County, Florida.

     “This book contains thirty devotionals that will help you in your faith walk,” said Julia Wilson, reviewer for Christian Bookaholic. http://www.christianbookaholic.com/2022/08/08/living-water-to-refresh-your-soul-by-tracy-smoak/#more-9719

     Book available at https://www.amazon.com/Living-Water-Refresh-Your-Soul/dp/1646457226/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2VG6EYW1GDZ3G&keywords=living+water+to+refresh+your+soul&qid=1702562183&s=books&sprefix=living+water+to+refresh+your+soul%2Cstripbooks%2C108&sr=1-1

     YouTube videos with the scenic journey and meditations are in the Living Water to Refresh Your Soul playlist at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf6ZzeQjavMekJX7_uIXu4VxYUo9HtpVd.