2215) We recently went on a trip to a beautiful place on a lake near the border of Canada. We took our little dog Cayce with us.  

We spent a few days doing quiet things like going for walks, reading on the porch and going for a boat ride. Cayce went with us in all we did.  

I knew Cayce was a timid dog, but in this new environment, around people he didn’t know and dogs 5 times bigger than him, he barked frequently.  

I know barking dogs can be annoying, but I knew Cayce was barking because he was afraid. When these times happened, I pulled him close to me and spoke softly to him. Why? Because I know what it’s like to be afraid.  

1 John 4:18 tells me perfect love casts out fear, just like I hopefully was doing to help Cayce calm down, but I notice the verse does not say it stops all fear.  

In this life, there will be times of fear, and though it will not disappear this side of eternity, God will hold me close every time I bark.