“Grrrr!”
“Here you go, Honey! Nice and clean.” I smiled as I placed the clean dish in front of her.
“Grrrr!”
Honey, my chihuahua, loves me so much! Since the first day she became part of our family, I was the only member that she feared. In fact, whenever another family member is present, Honey will bark at me incessantly. Animal trainers said she was warning the other family members about my presence, no doubt concerned over the malevolent actions I undoubtedly was about to inflict upon her.
Since my daughter left for college, I help to take care of our dog. Every night I clean her water and food dishes, cognizant that she is neither aware nor appreciates what I do for her. Although, I know she will never return my affections nor will she ever change her attitude toward me, I happily care for her. She is part of our family and I will not abandon her.
It is a poignant reminder of how God cares for all of us in spite of the pain and rejection He faced when He walked this earth. He was abandoned by nearly all of His disciples, ridiculed by his own brothers and sisters, and tried before a kangaroo court that tortured and executed Him on the Cross. In the midst of His incomprehensible suffering, when the weight of all our sins, past, present, and future, were laid upon His broken Body, Jesus prayed for all of us.
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Luke 23:34 (ESV)
Will Honey ever accept my love? It does not matter because I love her regardless of how she responds to me. My dog continues to teach me more about myself than I am willing to admit. I see my own forlorn behavior embodied by her actions. My sins nailed Jesus Christ to the Cross. In spite of His grace and mercy, I rejected and pushed aside His love and grace for many years. Yet, Jesus continued to love me in spite of my selfish desire to cater to my wanton actions.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for loving me and everyone who has ever lived on this earth. In spite of my sins and unbelief, You are faithful and just to forgive us when we confess and repent of our sins and place our faith in You.
…for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 