The dappled glow of the moon illuminated Midnight’s loneliness. To her left and right imposing oak trees towered over her, in front of her the dense forest twisting in unfamiliar bends and trails. The shadows begotten by the night stretched along the ground and became her only comfort. “Mom? Papa?” Not yet a yearling, she trekked her home territory with cautious steps. 

They said they’d be back by then.

Midnight ducked underneath an exposed tree root to shelter from the blasting wind. The moisture in the air filled her lungs and prophesied an incoming storm. “Papa?” She whimpered. Five days had passed and still they weren’t home. It was an adventure, they said. They’d be back in a day, they said.

Hunger stabbed Midnight’s stomach. Her big brother Shadow had gone with them, leaving her alone with a meager supply of food that she’d already eaten. Her parents, her security, were away. Shadow, her friend and brother, was gone. She yipped at the silhouetted trees, hoping her parents and big brother would suddenly appear from behind them. But the wind cracked the branches and made terribly loud noises. Would they even come back in the storm? Would they wait until the sun peeked out?

A shadow moved behind a few lifeless trees in the distance. Midnight shot up and ran out into the open, chasing the darkness. It could be Shadow! Or her parents! She smiled. But she skidded to a stop when the shadow disappeared, leaving her without shelter in the frantic wind.

Rain dripped from the sky, soaking into her fur. She searched for her tree root, but the torrential rain poured down with sudden ferocity, covered all her tracks, and blinded her. The sheets of rain came rushing down. Midnight couldn’t see past her paws. The wind blasted against her small body, sending her flying into the mud.

“Mom!” But she could barely hear herself. 

She whimpered as the wind pierced her ears. The rain fell like a waterfall and deafened her, soaking the scents of the territory so that she couldn’t smell her home. Thunder cracked like a snarling wolf. “Papa!”

She listened, sniffed, and looked for her tracks, for the familiar path she could follow back to her tree root or to her den, but every sense failed in the storm.

“I’m scared! Mom. Papa. Shadow!” She curled up in a ball, shielding her eyes with her paws. 

Her brother’s voice repeated in her memory, “Don’t be afraid, sis. Be strong and courageous.”

It slowed her racing heartbeat and fearful panting, but the wind still wacked against her body and the sky still dumped its tears onto her.

A distant voice met her ears. “Midnight!” 

Her ears pricked up. She frantically searched the darkness, her paws splashing in the already formed puddles. That voice wasn’t just from her memory. That was real.

“Midnight!”

Tears fell from her eyes like the rain around her. “Shadow!” 

His black form came running into view, fur draping from his soaked body. Big paws stepped in front of her, his tall figure a mass of darkness, save his gentle amber-colored eyes. His dark fur, though, was like the light of a million stars to her.

She shoved herself into his wet fur, shaking with fear and delight. “I was scared, Shadow. I was scared.”

Shadow wrapped his head around her puppy body and licked her cheek. “I know. But were you strong and courageous?”

“I was.” The rain no longer diluted her senses, because she had her closest friend beside her again. She’d be as strong and courageous as her brother. She’d grow up to be a strong wolf who could never let fear stop her from searching. She decided in the mucky rain that she would. “I’m going to be strong like you, brave like you.”

Shadow snuggled against her. “I hope so.”

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” –Joshua 1:9 (ESV)

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.