My son, Stewart, and his wife, Zoe, have a puppy. Zoe and I work in the same office and the puppy comes to work with her each morning. This is mainly due to the fact our boss has the sister to Zoe’s puppy and it comes to work each day.
Though he is only 3 months old he has already developed his habits. Each morning as he enters the building he has to go to each office and greet its occupant. Each morning it’s as if he has not seen them in years and is concerned they might never see each other again.
I am learning so much from this puppy about relationship with Jesus. After making his rounds he moves excitedly about his space. You can read in his expressions his pure delight in everything that has been provided for him. He gratefully plays with his toys totally disregarding the enclosure that keeps him in place. He waits patiently while a human sets food and water before him. He always makes sure they know how much he appreciates them taking care of him. Each time Zoe or I draw near him he goes to great lengths to make sure we are lavished with love. Even when he has to be corrected he looks up with love in his eyes and a wet kiss for the one explaining why he is in trouble.
It seems no matter what his day entails; going to vet for shots, the groomer to be washed and shaved, having to wait for someone to notice he is out of water, or being told to go outside even though he knows he will come back soaked; he has a look of delight on his face and kisses aplenty.
As I have observed him, my spirit has been awakened to how simple faith really is. In this puppy’s eyes the adults fill the role of “god”. The puppy understands that he is at the mercy of those greater than himself. But rather than lamenting the meager place in society he has, he is choosing to pour all his love on those around him. I remind myself that if I choose to rejoice everyday my soul will pour out the same type of joy on others as the puppy brings to all in the office. His love is not based on what is done for him. It is unconditional as mine should be.
He could lay in his enclosure sulking all day, waiting for a time when things will be good and he can go home and do what he wants. But instead because of his personality makeup, he bounds in ready to enjoy what is at hand. He trusts Zoe to see that all his needs are met and that he experiences love.
When days hand me things I would rather not deal with I remember his lively face. Then I remember I can turn my face toward heaven. In doing so I can tell Jesus I may not be having the day I would choose, but because HE is in the day I can rejoice.
I want heaven to see me bounding toward the Throne Room each day filled with anticipation of unexpected adventures. I want Jesus to know that rather than complaining about the enclosure circumstances I might be experiencing, I will major on the benefits HE has placed within that enclosure. I want my love for Jesus to be unconditional. I know that sounds funny because most of us come to HIM because HE offers salvation. But I want to be so in love with HIM that I don’t think about what HE can do for me but rather think on how beautiful HE is to me.
I have told HIM many times that if someone can just see HIM they will love HIM and would HE please show HIMSELF to those I pray for. How can anyone resist loving someone as beautiful as HE?
In days past an expression was used to describe innocent love that could find no fault in the relationship and believed everything was possible for the two of them. The expression was, “it must be puppy love”. The expression was meant to downplay the simplicity and joy of the relationship. Inferring that more mature love would know there were limitations and no one could be joyful all the time. But in the Kingdom perhaps we should look at our love for Jesus through the term “puppy love”. Because our love for HIM should be simple, we simply trust HIM. And there should be joy every day. Not because life is perfect but because HE is. And everything is possible for the two of us; Jesus and me.
You just wait. The next time you see the face of Jesus it will be wet with the kisses of my affection for the greatest KING of all time. The ONE who puts joy in my life when there is no reason to be happy. Puts peace in my soul when there is turmoil on every side. Puts hope in my spirit when the enemy sends dense darkness. That is a love worth celebrating every hour of every day. See me jumping?
Hope to see you in the Tea Room soon.
Elizabeth