October 19, 2009
Her name is Maddie. She’s a bundle of energy, packed in four legs, a fur coat, and a tail that is forever running in overdrive. You’d be hard pressed to find her at a time when she’s not having the best day of her life. She can jump onto a kitchen counter effortlessly, shred a bathroom rug in under 14 seconds, and increase her body weight by 30 pounds when being lifted to be taken outside. Normally quiet, she somehow has adopted a theology that reserves her barking for around 1 am. She is a pain. She is chaos wearing a collar. She is Sarah’s dog.
Yet somehow, my wife has fallen in love with the animal. Lets her in the house. Gives her a toy to play with. Makes sure she has fresh water. Even lets her jump onto the bed. Despite all the irritation, insanity, and outright obnoxious behavior, Karen seems to see nothing but the good in the mutt. It’s a love I do not understand.
Speaking of a incomprehensible love, The Screwtape Letters, a book written by C.S. Lewis, chronicles the correspondence between a senior demon and his subordinate. Describing how our Heavenly Father feels about us, Screwtape writes, “. . . it is the most repellent and inexplicable trait in our enemy; He really loves the hairless bipeds He has created . . .”
It really is an understanding only held by our precious Lord. It is beyond Satan’s comprehension. We certainly can’t make sense of it. All we know is that while we don’t deserve it, and while we’ve not earned it, by His grace, we have it.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” John 15:9
It’s a joy to be your pastor!
Bro. Dave