"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me..."-- Revelation 3:20 (NIV)
This is my buddy, Oreo. He's my friend's dog, but I am his favorite person. He acts like a little puppy when I'm around even though he's about 13 years old. After watching me through the window until I am almost at the door, he comes running to greet me and if I don't immediately turn my attention to him he starts barking. Sometimes he literally runs laps around the house because he's so excited that I'm there. He seems to think that I should be there to visit him and no one else.
As I was studying this photo and thinking about how much Oreo truly seems to enjoy my presence, I started thinking about God's love for his kids. If a dog can have so much passion for someone, how much more must God, the creator of heaven and earth and everything in it, love each and every one of us. How much more must He long to be with us everyday.
I received the following letter at a retreat in high school and still refer back to occasionally:
Dear Friend,
How are you? I just had to send a note to tell you how much I care about you. I saw you yesterday as you were talking with your friends. I waited all day hoping you would want to talk to me too. I gave you a sunset to close your day and a cool breeze to rest you - and I waited. You never came. It hurt me - but I still love you because you are my friend.
I saw you sleeping last night and longed to touch your brow so I spilled moonlight on your face. Again I waited, wanting to rush down so we could talk. When you woke up, you hurried on with your day. My tears were in the rain.
I have so many gifts for you! I try to tell you in blue skies and in the quiet green grass. I whisper it in the leaves on the trees, breathe it in colors of flowers, shout it to you in mountain streams and give birds love songs to sing. I clothe you with warm sunshine and perfume the air with nature scents. My love for you is deeper than the ocean and bigger than the biggest need in your heart.
Ask me! Talk with me! Please don't forget me. I have so much to share with you! I have chosen you and I will wait for you.
Your friend, Jesus
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------How are you? I just had to send a note to tell you how much I care about you. I saw you yesterday as you were talking with your friends. I waited all day hoping you would want to talk to me too. I gave you a sunset to close your day and a cool breeze to rest you - and I waited. You never came. It hurt me - but I still love you because you are my friend.
I saw you sleeping last night and longed to touch your brow so I spilled moonlight on your face. Again I waited, wanting to rush down so we could talk. When you woke up, you hurried on with your day. My tears were in the rain.
I have so many gifts for you! I try to tell you in blue skies and in the quiet green grass. I whisper it in the leaves on the trees, breathe it in colors of flowers, shout it to you in mountain streams and give birds love songs to sing. I clothe you with warm sunshine and perfume the air with nature scents. My love for you is deeper than the ocean and bigger than the biggest need in your heart.
Ask me! Talk with me! Please don't forget me. I have so much to share with you! I have chosen you and I will wait for you.
Your friend, Jesus
Lord, thank you for the blessing of creation, especially in Spring, that reminds me of Your presence. Forgive me for keeping you at a distance. Help me to set time aside to spend with You! I love you, Lord!
photo (c) 2007 by DKF
