In his book Resolving Everyday Conflict, Ken Sande tells about observing a visually impaired woman who resisted the repeated warnings of her loyal and protective guide dog.
One day during my morning run I noticed a blind woman walking on the other side of the street with her Seeing Eye dog, a beautiful golden retriever. As I was about to pass them, I noticed a car blocking a driveway a few paces ahead of them. At that moment the dog paused and gently pressed his shoulder against the woman’s leg, signaling her to turn aside so they could get around the car. I’m sure she normally followed his lead, but that day she didn’t seem to trust him. She had probably walked this route many times before and knew this was not the normal place to make a turn. Whatever the cause, she wouldn’t move to the side and instead gave him the signal to move ahead.
He again pressed his shoulder against her leg, trying to guide her on a safe path. She angrily ordered [the dog] to go forward. When he again declined, her temper flared.
Spoke Sobbing Words
I was about to speak up—when the dog once more put his shoulder gently against her leg. Sure enough, she kicked him—And then she impulsively stepped forward-and bumped square into a car. Reaching out to feel the shape in front of her, she immediately realized what had happened. Dropping to her knees, she threw her arms around the dog, and spoke sobbing words into his ear.*
That story touched my heart and caused me to wonder how many times I have had the Holy Spirit softly nudge me when I am about to make a blunder, only to have me brush Him aside carelessly. There have been instances when I have become stubborn for no other reason than I wanted my own way. Have you ever experienced that?
Listening for God’s voice can sometimes be a struggle, but not if we stay in tune with Him in a moment by moment relationship. He’s there, but sometimes we have to be wiling to stop what we are doing and seek His guidance. “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).
