Something’s Missing

On By Beth AlisanIn Lessons

Gradually, the sky lightened into brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow as the sun rose over the shoreline. The beauty was breathtaking, yet something was missing from my morning walk- my canine walking partner. Adi, my black Labrador, was three states away staying with a friend. I figured the feeling would pass within a day as I fell into my beach routine. At least, that’s what happened the year before. Only this year, the feeling lingered. A greater part of a week passed before I realized why.

You see, two months earlier my parents, my kids, and I had taken a mini-vacation to this very beach to witness the spring migration of the horse-shoe crabs. Adi had been an active part of that off-season excursion. The paw print I now saw in the sand, had been hers. That dog frolicking at the water’s edge had been my black Labrador. She and I had strolled the very avenues, I now walked alone. Adi had become a part of my beach experience, and I was missing her presence.

The same is true when I invite Jesus into my life’ experiences. With Him, conversations are richer, sunsets more glorious, relationships fuller, the classroom more peaceful, parenting easier . . . When I fail to offer Him that invitation, I inevitably walk away saying, “Something’s missing.”

Unlike beach rentals that can decree “no pets allowed,” Jesus is welcome into any situation. I just need to faithfully invite Him into every aspect of my life.

“I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” -Psalm 16:2, NIV

© 2024, Lessons from a Lab, Beth Alisan.  All Rights Reserved.

23 thoughts on “Something’s Missing”

    1. The introvert in me loves that we don’t even need to talk, we can enjoy his presence. That portion of Genesis always bring to mine my Nana’s favorite him- I come to the Garden Alone. Hope you are having a lovely 4th of July!

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  4. Beautiful post! In life, there really are no ‘ordinary moments’, and all of our experiences matter to God. I love the photograph of the sunrise. Every day is a brand new start…God abides with us in our comings and goings. Just as we love to hear our children discuss the little things about their day, God loves to hear our daily chatter…

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  6. Excellent post and a valuable reminder of our ever present Lord in our life. Certain things remind me of our Glen, such as the first snow which he loved. But regarding our Lord we have verses around the house in various places which are a welcome reminder of His presence. Thank you Beth, God bless you and your family today sister 🙏

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  9. A dear godly friend of ours gave us a plaque that hangs in our kitchen: “Christ is the center of our home, a guest at every meal, a silent listener of every conversation.” Unknown.

    Beth, your thought about inviting Jesus into every moment of our lives speaks to then reality that he is knocking and waiting at the door of our lives (24/7)-Revelation 3:20– but we must invite him (moment-by-moment) into the center of our lives.
    I’ve missed your writing, Beth! You are concise and to the point, and it’s always a good point. 🤗 Doggie hugs to Adi and Summer. 🐾🐾🐾🐾

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    1. Thank you David! The saying on that plaque is the perfect addition to this lesson as is Revelations 3:20. Thank you also for your kind words. I am hoping time will bring more margin for writing. Have a lovely 4th of July!

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