I drove to one of my favorite parks in LA with a pathway that circles a lake. Along the path, I notice a very excited dog fixed on retrieving a stick thrown in the water. It seemed like every muscle in his body was about to explode from the tension and anxiety to chase after that stick. He didn't take one step until he heard his master give him the command. Faster than you could blink that dog plunged into the water and caused a succession of ripples that must have made it harder for him to find the prize. Confused and unable to see where he was going, the puppy paddled haphazardly in every direction.

Then the master's voice called out, "Left". The dog was too flustered to hear. Perhaps the shock of the water and energy spent paddling made it harder to listen. Again the voice came a little louder, "Go left." The puppy's head looked, but the rest of the body kept swimming frantically. The third time he got the command, the dog started swimming. Then the master called, "Right." The puppy's head turned, and slowly, he got closer.

Then I saw three children rush to the edge of the lake. One by one they picked up sticks and threw them into the water for the dog to retrieve. A cacophony of squeaky commands came whirling out of their tiny mouths. The confusion settle back in. I waited for what the master would say. I'll never forget what happened next. In the chaos of it all, the master voice rang out in a clear voice, "Come back." Clearly the dog understood and found his way to the edge of the water where his master waited. Bending down to the dogs eye line, he pointed to the stick in the water and said, "Go there." I have no idea if the dog could see it or not, but he went in the direction that he was led and in no time his fetch was finished. Of course all the children wanted him to do it again, but the dog waited patiently by his master. Then the master said, "Go."

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:12-13