It has been two weeks since we moved to a new residence. We are still adjusting to a lot of things: the location, the traffic, neighbors and more importantly, the noise.
Living in Laguna really afforded us so much peace and quiet during our sleep. Here in the city, the barrage of noise coming from different vehicles at any given day and night – is still keeping me awake.
Last night coming from a trip, I slept at 10PM, only to wake up at 12 midnight and then again at 3:25am… I hope I could get adjusted soon to this new environment so that I could go back to my sleeping routine.
And one of the more noticeable things that took place was the way our dogs would bark at any noise they would hear, day or night.
It was getting frustrating. One small noise from anything outside the gates and they would bark. Since we’ve had the dogs for awhile now, it was easier for me to distinguish the type of barks they make.
And what I noticed was something different. The barks sounded more like expressions of fear.
Fear? Anxiety? It merited some more observation.
Back in Laguna, our dogs could easily see all the people passing by. All the cars, dogs and children. Sure they would bark at them from time to time – but not how they would bark here in Quezon City. Main difference? They could see what was going on outside.
Here in Quezon City – they simply have no view. They need to go really low to see below the gates and the bigger dog could not just easily do that… hence.. he would often bark at anything he could not yet determine to be.
He would even bark at me when I am about to open the gate.
They would bark when the car would park in front and the lights pushing through below the gates.
And then it dawned on me… hey, we could be in similar situations like our dogs are in now.
Didn’t you notice? We get more afraid when we cannot see?
When we cannot see what is ahead of our circumstances we get really afraid and anxious as well.
What is next after this sickness? What would happen if I lose my job? What if I do not get this promotion? What if I cannot make ends meet? What ifs and what could have beens could easily haunt us and make us afraid.
And we get afraid (our version of barking) – we cry out to God in desperation. We look at ourselves and see how this darkness could eat up the faith that we used to have.
During these times, we need to see God not through our eyes, but through the eyes of our faith…
We need to realize that even though we cannot see beyond the “gates” that there is a future for us.
Even though there are many unknown noises we may hear around us, we could be certain of our safety.
And even though there may be different stages that could pass through and create different noises in our lives… we know that we will be alright.
And when that time comes when we see the bright lights beyond the gates (just like the headlights of the car when I come home and the dogs would bark initially at first), we will not be afraid because our Master is about to take us home with us.
We will be okay.
We will be more than alright despite not seeing what is ahead.
Despite all the unexplainable noises that could make us anxious.
Only if we see God through the “eyes” of our faith.
I do know this was a very interesting post thanks for writing it!