Morning Kiss
While out with a training group for an early morning run, I experienced this sweet encounter.
I got lost from the group about half way through the run and ended up going a little farther than I planned.As I was heading  back to home base,  I noticed a lady and her dog coming toward me crossing  a normally busy street, that was quiet at the time. She gently lead her canine companion as he very, very slowly  put one foot in front of the other. His head seem to be bent toward the ground. All I could say was- Lord bless him.  Me feeling tired and cold, I was just trying to make it back to my starting point. Exhausted, I asked his age as I approached them. We were all going slow enough for a quick verbal exchange.
 She said he was 16. Have you had him since birth I inquired - she
responded " I've had him the whole time." THERE WAS THAT MORNING KISS! Her response made me smile, keep the steady pace, dig into the last leg of  the run, tuck my head, and move a little easier  into the home stretch.
That experience stayed on my mind and in my spirit the rest of the evening ---As we get tired, hit the places in life where we can barely put one foot in front of the other, maybe ponder if we will make it, where every step takes so much effort and strength, for some who have traveled long--
maybe even  in the autumn  season of life;  GOD IS THERE  - leading, gently helping us-creating a path for us,  loving us, & reminding us--- THAT HE HAS HAD US THE WHOLE TIME.