MUST LOVE DOGS

I was sitting in my car today eating a bag of dry Cheerios in a parking lot (glamorous life, I know) I saw this old man pull up in front of me with his dog sitting right there in the passenger seat, or rather, his butt was in the passenger seat and everything else had managed to get as close to his owner as possible. Okay, he was practically hugging him, let's be serious. The old man was clearly talking to him because there was no one else in the car, and when he got out, the dog bowed his head and continued to look out the window the entire time the owner was gone. He literally did not move; he looked out the window and patiently awaited his owner's arrival. 

I thought that the dog would eventually get antsy and lay down or move around the car, or look out a different window. He never did. He stayed in one spot consistently until he got back. 

When he finally came back, the dog could not contain his excitement. Neither could the old man. He was petting him and talking to him and the dog was wagging his tail as if it was the last time he would ever wag his tail! 

The whole encounter just made me smile. The loyalty the dog had to his owner, the happiness the two of them clearly shared, and the excitement of the meeting after only a couple moments was all so endearing. 

It reminded me of my relationship with God. Not only that I talk to him out loud when nobody's around, and wag my tail like nobody's business when I listen to a good worship song, but that sometimes I leave Him. 

Sometimes I stray from Him in life, but he is always right there looking out the window with steadfast patience waiting for me to come back. He is loyal. 

When I get too consumed with my friends or family, with work, with material possessions... When I get consumed by feelings of anxiety and emotion. I forget the loyalty He has to me. I forget where I come from. 

I wander from Him. Sometimes for a long time, and other times for only a moment, but my God is always right there beside me during every step of the way, and patiently waiting for me to come back. 

And one day, I know the excitement we will both share when I finally go home and we meet again. It will be as if I had never left. 

So despite the fact that if I ever had to get a dating profile it really would say, "MUST LOVE DOGS," I think this can teach us all a lesson, even if you're more of a cat person.

Our God is loyal and steadfast. When we stray from Him he is always patiently waiting our arrival. He is always excited when we pray and is the best listener. He doesn't seek out other interests or forget about you because you left, or because you sinned. He is forever loyal.

So the next time you feel insecure, the next time you feel depressed, and the next time you feel like it's too late to go back.. Remember that your God is patiently and loyally awaiting your arrival. Just come as you are back to Him, the excitement you will share will be unsurpassable.