Within Sight
In my last post, I promised a doggie devotional this week. I hope that you enjoy it. ☺️
“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love.” John 15:10 NIV
My husband of 53 years died in September of ’23, and for the next 15 months I tasked myself with a downsizing project from a six-bedroom house, a storage shed, and a garage into a studio apartment. No small challenge!
Thankfully, by the time I work my way into the garage and shed, another summer has arrived, allowing me to work outside in warmth and dryness. Of course, Sammy joins me out-of-doors. Left inside, he barks his protest incessantly; but coming out with me means the leash. Regardless, he prefers to be with me.
One bright day, he lay, head on paws, watching me go back and forth from shed to garage to garbage bin. I look at him and wonder, Will you stay close by if I release you?
“Sammy, should I set you free?” He raises his head with interest and curiosity in his eyes.
“If I let you off the leash, you have to stay where I can see you.” He sits with anticipation, tail thumping.
“All right. Let’s see how well you do.” I set him free. He gives himself a shake, wags his tail, and begins sniffing around. But he stays within my sight as I continue going in and out of the shed, back and forth to the garage, surprising me by his obedience. Usually, he would have sniffed his way into the neighbor’s yard and beyond.
The time lengthens. I keep working. Sammy stays within my sight, and I begin praising him. “Thank you, Sam, for staying nearby. You are making my job easier just by staying close. You really are a good dog. I love you. Keep up the good work, Sweetheart.”
Then I realize that Sam’s persistence to stay near me, pleasing me as it does, shows the relationship that God prefers to have with me. Through His Son, He says, If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in His love. John 15:10 (NIV) Living by those words, I can actually imagine Him saying to me as I said to Sam, “I love you, Sweetheart. Keep up the good work.”
Dear Abba God, Sammy pleases me so much as I work outside. He obeys by staying within my sight, and I love him for that. Now I understand better why You want me to stay near You because You assure me of Your presence and of Your love. What a blessing! I love You! In the Savior’s grace, Amen
Sweet! I remember how Sammy adored you and Ed, but here on earth, it’s difficult to take in how IMMENSE is Our Savior’s love for us and our “in His sight” close relationship with Him!
I do appreciate your responses, Sheri. You surely have a writer’s flair yourself! Your description of the walls and pastures of Yorkshire provided greater imagery than mine. What did you enjoy as a snack–cheese, perhaps? It is difficult to grasp the immensity of Christ’s love for us. What brings me closer to an understanding is an examination of my feelings for Sammy. I don’t remember crying when my parents, siblings (all of them), or husband died. But I fully expect to weep when Sammy goes, even though we haven’t been together for four months.
Keep stepping in His Sonlight,
Linda
But does their creamery have “brown cow” ice cream? It sounds like an outing to remember and I look forward to the next. And in case you are wondering, from this reader’s perspective, brevity need not be a concern.
I’ve heard of brown cow ice cream. Is it ice cream mixed with root beer. Yum! That would be good!
Thank you, Dan, for your response–short but sweet and welcomed. I’m glad to know that for you, at least, “brevity need not be a concern.” I have wondered if perhaps I get too long-winded. There’s really only one other blog that I read. When I receive notice of a new post, I bypass it sometimes until I have a better mood and time to read. Sometimes I give it a quick scan to see how long it is. The shorter, the sooner I will read further.
Your “brevity” comment has blessed me. Thanks. Linda