From the Home Place

February 23, 2026

Good morning! I put Coffee out the door at 5 a.m. and noticed the air didn’t bite me anything like it had the last couple of days. As I looked at today’s weather, I noticed that it is 17 above right now, headed for 36 with 15-30 mph winds.

A while back I wrote about a collie dog we had when I was a kid. Her name was Blondie and she was the first dog I ever had. We were good buds; if I was outside, she was right beside me. Not only was she really good help with the cattle and sheep, but she hated rattle snakes just as much as I did.

When I was old enough to rope and hold a fifty-pound calf, we would scatter the hay for the cows and their three- or four-day-old calves. I would walk through the cows and rope any calf dad pointed out as one we needed to doctor. The moment I would rope a calf, Blondie would be right there, bighting the momma cow if she was wanting to trounce the guy holding the rope, me. That old dog was always quickly at my side anytime I needed help or protection.

Thinking back about Blondie, caused me to smile about how the Holy Spirit is that same provider and protecter today. Any time we need someone to give us wisdom about a situation, the Spirit is there. It seems to me that we probably have no idea of how many times the Holy Spirit has protected us from a serious accident or some other kind of harm.

When God promises to provide all that we need, He really means it. Through the working of His Holy Spirit, we have a constant companion who not only is a best friend but is also there anytime we have a need. Thank you Spirit for protecting each of us from that ‘ol rattlesnake, Satan.

At the end of a long day, I remember many times that Blondie and I would find us a sunny spot, or shade in the summer, and have us a bit of a nap. She would lie down and look at me with an invitation in her eyes. So, then I would lie down with her, using her softly haired body as my pillow. In the winter when it was really cold on the hay wagon, Blondie would lay down on my feet and help me stay half-way warm.

Today, the Holy Spirit loves the times that we lie down together and just enjoy each other’s company. For me, each morning begins with a visit with the Holy Spirit before I ever get out of bed. I guess that is something else Blondie taught me to do way before I began to walk with Jesus. Blondie always slept beside my bed. Each morning, I would wake to her setting beside my bed with her head on the edge of the bed. waiting for me to wake up for our morning visit. It is such a blessing to wake knowing that the Holy Spirit is right there, waiting for our morning visit. Of course, now there is usually a red and. white face looking at me as well – Coffee dog also enjoys our “good morning.”

So, may I encourage you to start each day by visiting with the Holy Spirit before you ever get out of bed. For when you start with the Spirit, you better realize that He is right there with you all the rest of the day! It is also a good idea to end each day with a short visit with Him as well. My evening visits are always short; perhaps it is the peace of the Holy Spirit that causes me to fall asleep within minutes after turning the light off?

Anyway, as a Christ follower, the Spirit of the Living God is right there with you at all times. I encourage you to get well acquainted with Him. After all, He really is man’s best friend!

Enjoying another day with Him and you, Neal