He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
John 1:11-13
Last night I was Scared. I thought I had lost my dog. I looked all over the back yard and she was no where to be found. I got in my car and started searching the neighborhood, still no luck. Then I expanded my search, and looked through the attaching neighborhoods. I drove around for over an hour, praying and searching for my dog. I was at a loss. Stopping and asking everyone I saw, have you seen a little black dog. Of course, no one saw her.
Finally I gave up, I went home and sat in the back yard and just cried my eyes out. I prayed a prayer and cried. Here I thought I lost her forever. Next thing I knew, she came running back through the fence to me! I jumped up in joy, my tears turned from pain to happy tears! I hugged her and wanted to throw a party! My dog, my baby, my companion was home! I told her "Don't ever do that again, you scared me!" and "I Love you!" like she could understand me, but she stood there and smiled and wagged her tail like she knew I loved her and understood! And today, I am still shook up from it all and when I get home the first thing I will do is make sure the patch job I did on the hole she got out with held up.
It makes me think though, about God, how he values us more so then we value our pets. I mean he talks about how precious we are to him and how valued the lost is and how important it is to find them. There is three stories found about that in Luke 15. First the lost sheep, then the lost coin, and finally the lost son.
I wonder, was God like me when I was lost in the world? Did He look for me? Did He give up and just cry? Did He ask if I had been seen? And did God jump up and down when I came back to the church? Did He say to the angels she is back! And did he say to me, "Don't ever do that again, you scared me!" and "I love you" and I not understand? But I smiled and felt His love that day? Does He still look to make sure I don't wonder too far?
I like to think that God does look for us when we are lost, He just uses people to do that. He doesn't give up on us, but does cry for us. And of course He jumps up and down when we come back to Him! He rejoices when we return to His love!
To God, we mean everything. We are not pets. We are children whom He loves. When we are lost, He hurts, when we are found, He rejoices. We are valuable no matter which way we are, but I tell you what, I would rather be found then lost!
Why? Cause when found, I have shelter from the storm, warm place to sleep, food on the table, comfort, and a home! Lost, I am alone and scared! But that is for another blog, right now, I just know as much as I love my dog, it is nothing compared to the love God has for me!
