JULY 27, 2022
ON THE PORCH
BILLY & WICKET
Wicket
– Weight: 5 lbs.
– Age: 3 years old
NICKNAME: Stalker
KNOWN FOR: Loving Billy
I’ve learned a few things from Wicket and Billy over the past few months.
When I leave the house and only call Wicket, she knows exactly where we’re going. The only time she gets to ride without Chewy is to go to the nursing home to see Billy, and she loves every minute of it. When I call, Wicket comes quickly and without hesitation. She trusts that I know what is best and will take care of her.
When God calls, sometimes I delay, uncertain of what lies ahead. I question his plan and intentions. I want to make sure I know what is next.
Wicket’s favorite place to ride is on our shoulders, and she will only ride on the driver’s shoulders. She asks first but has no worries after given permission. She doesn’t test the waters to make sure we are big enough to carry her weight. She jumps right up with full confidence that we will not buckle under the added load.
Unintentionally in my own life, I question God’s ability to handle heavy loads I carry. Why in the world would I think I can hold up under the weight it if I am anxious as to whether He can??? I fret and worry and wonder how to fix this and that and how to manipulate the situation to work out to my advantage. What I tend to forget is how big of a God I serve. He created the world, nothing I am dealing with will be too heavy for Him. Let me say that again. HE CREATED THE WORLD. NOTHING I AM DEALING WITH IS TOO HEAVY FOR HIM. If I turn those physically and emotionally crushing burdens over to Him, I can breathe again because I am out from under the weight of what wasn’t mine to carry in the first place.
When Wicket climbs on our shoulders, she can look out the window. She is certainly not in charge and has no say in where we’re going or what we’re doing. But she can see what lies ahead and where we are in the journey. When we turn into the nursing home, she gets super excited. She jumps down and points her face to the door so she is in position to exit the vehicle as soon as possible, all the while yipping.
**Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
When I turn my worries, my plans, and my future over to God, I have to allow Him to handle it. I can keep my eyes open on the path ahead and look out the window, but I must give Him the wheel and lead me where He knows best. I have to remind myself, “God’s got this.” He doesn’t sit on our shoulders. Just that thought is absurd, but truly how many times do I try to make that the case? Instead of asking what He wants, I tell Him what I want and then ask Him to bless it. He never intended for us to run ahead and just bring Him along for the ride.
Wicket is somewhat of a furry little superstar with some of the residents of the nursing home. Many know her name, and some call out to her as we walk down the hall. Their eyes light up when they see her coming. But her eyes stay trained on Billy’s room. She knows where he stays, and her ultimate goal is to get to him. After visiting with a few new friends here and there, she gets to fulfill her mission. Wicket’s job is to sit in Billy’s lap. That’s it. Immediately, she gets in his lap, makes herself comfortable, snuggles in, and enjoys the petting, touching, and loving Billy is always ready and willing to bestow on her. When his stand stops rubbing, Wicket wiggles, and he starts again. He loves on her our entire visit.
**”Stop striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NASB
God made me for fellowship with Him. I don’t have to spin my wheels to please Him. My job is to listen to His voice, be obedient in what He asks, and snuggle in to accept the love He so freely gives. He paid the price for me to sit in His lap, rest in His presence, and allow that love to wash over me. Not once has Wicket ever doubted that Billy loves her. That would not cross her mind in a million years. I want to be that way with God. Not once has God ever done anything to indicate that He doesn’t love me. In fact, He gave everything for me. LITERALLY EVERYTHING. So, when the enemy whispers in my ear that God doesn’t care, I will refuse to listen.
One other bit of wisdom I’ve learned from Wicket is anticipation and excitement. Other than Benny, I think Billy is Wicket’s favorite person on the face of the earth. When he gets to church every Sunday, we physically have to pick Wicket up and hold her back until he is in his wheelchair and ready for her to ride in his lap. He calls it “her princess chariot.” She rides with him from the car to his spot at the Sunday School table. Then she sits with him during church. She is devoted to Billy, and Billy loves her. Not once has Wicket stopped and questioned if Billy would allow her in his lap. She knows where she wants to be and seeks him out. If Billy is anywhere in the area, we know where Wicket will be, too.
Why can’t I be that devoted to seeking God? I want to anticipate our visits, I want to be so aware of His presence in my life, that nothing else matters. I want to climb in His lap and know that I’m wanted there. I want to turn my worries and issues over to Him and just be along for the ride. Sometimes I do well seeking the LORD, and other times I fall flat on my face. I also realize it is a daily, sometimes hourly process. I must be super diligent and intentional about seeking Him or time passes and I’ll realize I haven’t been in His presence in awhile.
LORD, thank you for this tiny little teacher. I want to be as faithful in searching You out as Wicket is watching for Billy. I want to always be aware of Your presence. Please take my load. Help me trust You to handle it the way You see fit. I know it might take many times a day to release everything I carry and drag along beside me, but I know I can learn to let go with Your help. Remind me that I can watch ahead and look out the window, but You, LORD, are in the driver’s seat and know where Your best road is. Take the wheel and remind me I am just a passenger. Allow me to enter Your presence without hesitation and climb in Your lap, snuggling in and enjoying Your love washing over me. Thank You for bringing Billy into our lives over 20 years ago. Thank You for all the joy he brings and the love he offers, expecting nothing in return. Thank You that Billy found a soft, furry, loyal friend in Wicket, and Wicket found hands that just want to shower her with love. Lead, guide, and direct us in Your best, and remind us hourly, if necessary, to place our burdens on Your shoulders and let You have control, LORD. Amen
**He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17
**“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14
JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL
ON THE PORCH 