There's an intrinsic rejection of God by man for the very nature of His love. The first sin in heaven was that of pride, and its chain of rebellion continued for the next 6000 years! But you say, "Why would anyone reject being loved?"

On each afternoon, when I arrive home from work, putting my daily carry things on a chair, I will pull our little leaping furry ball of enthusiasm, our dog, upon the back of our faux leather couch to scratch her ears, let her "wash" my face with her slobbery tongue, and rub her ever needy tummy.

Soon she is laying on one arm while I scratch her chest and belly. Her ensuing quiet reflects the trust and want for attention, where, just moments before, she was leaping upon me, whining and expressive in ways, which I can only describe as a groaned prayer which could not be uttered!

She loves every single day like this in one form or another, completely selflessly as she cuddles her fifteen pound body into my embrace. I'm immediately reminded of the kind of relationship God desires of us in similar manner as my little pet clinging to my arms and shoulder. She's a dog, and she knows no other way to express her joy of reunion with owner and master.

We often joke in our house about who is "daddy" or "mommy" with my kids and this shadow to our movements about the house. She's entirely happy padding about the carpet or tile into one room or another, simply to be close to the ones who rescued her from the shelter. Her life was not a happy one for the first three years as a stray and the change in her behavior over the last six months has been from extremely humble quiet to this wildly expressive longing she displays for whoever just arrived home from work, a short trip to the store, or even stepping into another room!

The Bible describes our closeness to God in a similar manner to that puppy and her joy of having a home. She is humble, to the point of clingy, hungry, expressed by the speed with which she'll consume her meals, and joyful, shown by the leaps and licks she lavishes on the three of us. Blessed indeed is the one who takes refuge in the Lord! She has been a lesson in love and responsibility to our family!

Lord, may we ever come to you wild with joy to be near You!