Our fur-baby Minna loves her people. All summer she enjoyed parks, kayaking, and picnicking excursions with the us.
Then August hit.
My husband and I were back at school preparing our classrooms. The younger daughters started back to school. The college student returned to college.
Minna moped.
After school I would find Minna with her entire back end wagging, running toward me. She carried toys, begging to play. Instead, I patted her head, telling her ‘later’, as I rushed to deliver daughters to activities, fix dinner, and scoot through the evening routine.
Other family members played with her, but I was booked solid all week. The final straw was my arrival home Friday afternoon. I surprisingly found she barely tolerated me! She allowed me to pet her while she refused to look at me. She even turned her back toward me and pretended not to hear when I called her name.
She must have smelled the seven-week-old puppy I had enjoyed at work.
She must have thought. “You had no time for me but you made time to fraternize with another dog.”
She must have decided I hurt her and now she was paying me no attention.
I am so thankful God doesn’t do that. Honestly, there are times I don’t spend nearly as much time as I’d like in Scripture, or prayer. There are times when demands of life overwhelm me, and I put Him on hold.
I suspect He might hurt like Minna. He loves His children. He delights in them! He wants to spend time with us!
When we have been away from Him, no matter the length of time, no matter what the reason, He welcomes us with open arms.
Recall the story found in Luke 15: 11-32? Jesus told the parable of the prodigal son. The son who “forgot” about his father and his family until he realized how desperately he needed them! How easily I get wrapped up in the details of this life, forgetting what is truly most important to me.
Just as the father in the story was joyous to see his son, bedraggled and exhausted, plodding home; God is thrilled when we turn back to Him, no matter what our state. He also runs to embrace us, tending to every need, forgiving every wrong, just as the prodigal’s father.
Later that evening, Minna made up to me. She soon forgot I had ever offended her. As our family settled in for a movie night, she plopped in my lap. She licked me for quite a while, then turned and fell asleep with her side pushed into me.
She loves me.
She forgives me.
She was grateful I was back, next to her where I belonged.
Everything was forgiven and forgotten, just as God does. I was so appreciative of Minna’s reminder to me: I need to stay close to God. When I stray and catch myself, I need to return. He will embrace me, forgive me, and love me like He always had.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You so much for always welcoming me back to You. Thank You that I can never erase Your loving care for me. Remind me to stay near to You, and to return quickly if I stray. Thank You for Your constant love, In Jesus’ name, Amen.