Have you ever experienced a time when you could see what you wanted, but you just couldn’t get it?
One morning I was out for a walk with our dogs. It was a very chilly start to the day, though it had rained the night before. Our gravel driveway has several ruts that often collect puddles when it rains, and one of our dogs has the unfortunate habit of drinking from them. I’ve read that puddle water can be dangerous for dogs because of bacteria and toxins, so I try to limit this behavior as much as possible.
That’s easier said than done. She’s an opportunist, and there’s no way to completely avoid passing the puddles on our walks. For whatever reason, they don’t all tempt her, but when she spots one she likes, her head instantly drops for a quick sip before I can redirect her.
That morning, though, things were different. The puddles were frozen.
She approached the first one and lowered her head, only to find she couldn’t take a drink. Instinctively, she pawed at the ice. When I looked down, I could see the water just beneath the surface. She seemed confused and a little frustrated, but content enough to move on.
A few minutes later, the same thing happened. She tried again. No success. A paw at the ice. Then we continued on our walk.
This scene repeated itself several times. Each time, she tried. Each time, the water remained just out of reach. Never once did she stay fixated on a puddle. She kept moving forward, returning her attention to the walk itself, which was the enjoyable part all along.
Watching her made me pause and reflect on my own responses when I don’t get what I think I want. When something I desire is visible but unavailable, do I stay stuck, struggling, fretting, and complaining? Or do I accept that the opportunity isn’t meant for me right now and move on?
Scripture reminds us that waiting and discernment are part of a faithful life, and that life unfolds in seasons. Ecclesiastes tells us there’s a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven. Sometimes what we want is real and visible, but it isn’t meant for us right now. Waiting doesn’t always mean denial. It may simply mean this isn’t the right moment.
There’s peace in learning when to release our grip. There’s freedom in trusting that God is guiding our steps, even when the answer feels like no or not now. We can keep walking, eyes open to what truly sustains us, confident that the path itself holds purpose.
If you find yourself stuck on something just out of reach today, I hope you can give yourself permission to move forward without regret. Trust the season you’re in. God is faithful in every one of them, and He knows exactly when the ice will melt.
