Finding Life's Sweet Spots

Have you ever learned a lesson from your pet? 

I've mentioned our seven year old yorkie-poo, named Moose before. He's the sweetest and best dog ever. 

But I confess, he does have a couple of flaws.

Lately, Hubby has killed a couple of copperhead snakes. So we've leashed Moose for our walks. He'd prefer to run free so he pulls with his entire twelve pounds, hoping we will relent and unleash him. He doesn't understand that poisonous snakes are lurking. So he tugs harder. 

But we've discovered that if he walks between Hubby and I, he will settle down to our pace and not pull at all. Like he's in his sweet spot.

You know—Life's sweet spots.

• Like when you're driving on a busy interstate and find yourself without any traffic within about ten car lengths in any direction. 
• Or when you're sitting under an umbrella on the beach with a gentle breeze blowing, listening to the waves beating the shore. 
• Or when you bite into the first Hanover County tomato sandwich of the season. 

On a recent walk, an epiphany bombshell hit. I love instant nuggets of deep revelation.

God provides us a sweet spot too. 

Where? Walking right beside Him.

After all, He knows what's best for us. But we pull away. 

He knows the snares and temptations of this world and our weaknesses. But we tug with all our might. 

He nudges us back to the sweet spot. But no, we strain with all our might trying to run our own way.  

While we're straining, He shakes His head and twiddles His thumbs. And waits. He's not running a puppet show here on Earth. He gives us free will to decide for ourselves.

Usually after we suffer the consequences of our choices, we see the error of our ways. We then seek Him and nestle close. Back in the sweet spot again.  

He smiles. "That's right. Come back, my child." And the walk of life continues. 

DEUTERONOMY 5:33 says, "Walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess."

Now that's the best sweet spot ever.

What about you? Do you have some favorite sweet spots? Have you had a recent epiphany? Please share. 

Living the Garden Life, Tammy Van Gils plants words and sprouts insightful stories blooming with hope. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She's honored to be a guest blogger and a contributor to The Wonders of Nature Devotion Book, Worthy Inspired, Dec 2016.