From my July 22, 2026 draft.
Yesterday, after I was all zen about going for a walk before work, we went for the walk.
Deacon did a great job, though he struggles to breathe in this Mississippi heat and humidity, so we cut it short.
Then it was Posey and Parker's turn.
Posey got away from me getting out the door, and off she went.
Running like a gazelle.
Stopping to sniff the grass.
Staying just out of reach until I could get to her.
Finally, I stepped on her leash, and we were back on track.
Until...
I unhooked her leash when we got to the door.
"Good morning!" yelled my next-door neighbor as I braced for the chaos that was about to ensue.
Off she went.
I hadn't unhooked Parker, but he was trying so hard to keep up with her that he was dragging me along behind him.
I thought I could catch her around the neighbor's dogs, but she shot off down the street again.
I followed behind yelling her name.
She kept running.
She loves to run.
Finally, when she disappeared behind a few houses, I stopped.
"That's it," I said. "I'm not chasing her anymore."
It felt unnatural to turn around and go the other direction.
My mind was screaming,
Please come back.
While also plotting my next move—going to find her in the car.
But I kept walking and looking over my shoulder.
No Posey.
Finally, I decided to stop looking back and just walk confidently toward home.
A few minutes later...
The jiggle of her dog tags.
Fast foot falls.
She came running up behind me.
I almost got her leash on.
And then...
...off she went again.
I sighed.
Knowing the trick now, I just kept walking.
No more yelling her name in vain.
No more chasing.
I headed straight to the house.
We were halfway up the driveway when she came charging in beside me and ran right through the front door.
She had the time of her life.
Tail wagging.
Tongue hanging out.
Ears back.
Eyes dancing.
"Did you see me run, Mom?" she was probably saying in her own doggie way.
I laughed hysterically and went about my day.
Just before I left for work, there was a bird trapped inside the screened porch.
For. The. Love. The animals. I love them.
I finally scooted him out after Parker tried to eat him.
By then I was sweating through my work clothes.
Later, I was talking to God in the car.
"Thanks for the chaos this morning.
For the sunrise.
And for letting Posey come back home."
Then the thought came.
She knows where home is.
Sometimes love isn't standing in the street yelling someone's name.
Sometimes love doesn’t chase.
Sometimes love is walking home.
Not because you don't care.
Because you've already shown them where home is.
Love trusts they'll find their way back.
I gasped.
"Oh...That's it, isn't it?"
“My lesson for today.”
I started thinking about all the ways that could be true.
About people.
About friends.
About animals.
And ex-husbands.
And then I realized...
It was my story.
Home isn't just a house in Madison.
It's His presence.
It's the place I keep returning to every morning when I write,
Maybe I wasn't really watching Posey find her way home.
Maybe I was watching mine.
Every time I wander.
Every time work captures my attention.
Every time fear or hurry pulls me away.
I already know where home is.
And somehow...to God be the Glory…
I always find my way back.