My World Is Too Small

   A Story of an Encounter

   A few days back, as I walked the path around part of our golf course in the early time of the day, I noticed a man coming toward me with his dog. I had not seen this person before, and his dress marked him as military. He was dressed in olive drab tee shirt, camo fatigues, army boots, and he had a distinctive army haircut.

   I spoke a "good morning" as we passed and went on our separate ways.

   But the man and his dog were there the next morning also, and so I stopped and asked him about his dog, a good sized German Shepherd. He introduced himself and told me the dog's name was Ike and that they were here on temporary assignment from the Department of Defense, teaching at FLETC, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center over in Brunswick.

   As the dog and trainer moved on south on the path, and I went north toward the condo, I turned and watched them.

   I wondered about their lives and what role they played in the country. As we met several times in the next week, and as we stopped and talked a few moments each time, I learned of their role in the defense of our country. Their assignment was protecting us from any bad guys out there, all up and down the East Coast, and training others to do the same.

   They were a part of a homeland defense force that worked behind the scenes, letting the rest of us walk in safety and freedom. Unseen by most, but there, none the less.

   How much goes on around me, in my world, that I do not see or think of at all?  How many men, and dogs, work so that my life can be normal?

   If all this is true in my physical world, how much more so in the spiritual world? The Bible speaks of angels, unseen by men, working all round.

   I snapped a shot one day as I watched them walk away. A faceless pair of helpers active in my world, without me knowing or even caring.

   And I was grateful for them and their work on my behalf, and all the others that served.

   And the reminder of God's care and protection.