I hadn’t walked down on the property in a while, life just being too darn busy. But I found myself with an unexpected day off, yesterday, and decided to strike out for some fresh air.

When I got down to the bottom pasture, I realized the horses were down there. They’d been grazing in a patch of trees beyond my view. Flynn was in the middle of them, now less than a month away from his first birthday, and getting taller and more handsome all the time.

The big guys looked up, mid-chew, to acknowledge me, a friendly head nod in my direction before resuming their graze. However, Flynn stopped immediately and headed straight for me, his sweet, trusting gaze taking me in.

I spent a minute giving him a good ear-scratching, a couple of kisses on the forehead, and a solid hug around the neck. Then, I turned to continue my trek to the pond, realizing seconds later that he had not turned to join the herd, but had started following me. The two of us reached the water’s edge and stood quietly, gazing over it’s lovely expanse and noting the different ducks that had made it their home. His big-but-not-grown head leaned in over my right shoulder, and gently rested itself there, long enough for me to wrap my hand around it and pat his right cheek.

We walk in our own circles, you and I, our “herds” of friends, co-workers, families, etc., which make up the whole of our daily lives. Too often we get so caught up in what we’re doing that we either don’t notice the quiet presence of the One who holds our world, or if we do, we give Him a cursory acknowledgement and go on with whatever we’re doing. But sometimes, if we dare to tap into the child-like part of our hearts, open and trusting, and step out to follow, we find ourselves enjoying a quiet moment of intimacy in the roaring chaos of life.

Be aware of His gentle footfall today. Listen for His hushed call. Then follow and lean in until you feel His hand on your cheek. It just takes the trusting heart of a child.

Or an adorable yearling.