I have loved you with an everlasting love; . . . with
lovingkindness I have drawn you. - Jeremiah 31:3
What happened between my husband and a dog named Maggie was not love at first sight. In
fact, their first meeting was more like a war dance. When Jay came home from work, Maggie
stopped him at the back door and growled at him as if he were an intruder. Then Jay
growled, wanting to know why a strange dog was in his home. I explained why I rescued her
from the kennel, but he was unmoved.
But soon Maggie began welcoming Jay home in the evening with a wildly excited dance
routine. With all 20 toenails tapping on the tile she would wag her tail and wiggle to
tell him that his arrival was the highlight of her day. Within a week, her enthusiastic
welcome had won his heart.
Maggie's method of winning Jay's affection reminded me of what the prophet Jeremiah and
the apostle John wrote. God's love for us, they said, draws us into a loving relationship
with Him (Jeremiah 31:3; 1 John 4:7-8,19).
When I think about God enjoying my presence as much as Maggie enjoys Jay's, I am eager to
spend time with Him. I realize that God loves me far more than Maggie loves Jay, and my
heart fills up with love for Him. And then my heart overflows with love for others, for
the power of God's love empowers me to love even those who don't love me.
-JAL
Loved with everlasting love,
Led by grace that love to know -
Spirit, breathing from above,
Thou hast taught me it is so!
-Robinson
We love because God first loved us.