It’s a warm sunny afternoon with a slight breeze.  But when a dog spends an hour chasing other dogs at full speed at the dog park, she ends up winded and worn out.

Once my dog has scraped herself up off the cool garage floor, I encourage her to come to the basement with me.  She doesn’t realize that the cold concrete floor in the laundry room would be a soothing balm to her fast beating heart and worn out body.  I try to tell her, but she doesn’t listen.  She just wants to be where I am.  Wherever that is.

Since I’m with her all day every day lately, she has grown very attached to me.  Everywhere I go in the house, she is glued to my leg.  She leans on me for no reason.  She wants me to play with her in the evening.  When she thinks it’s time to go to the dog park, she looks at me with that excited look.  Waiting for me to say the word.  Dog park!

She enjoys her treats and rewards.  Sometimes she gets more than she deserves.  Other times, she begs for a treat for no apparent reason.  She sure knows how to wrap herself around my little finger.

She loves getting hugs and attention.  Sitting on the floor with her head in my lap as I pet her is heaven for her.  But there are times when I want to hold her close and love on her, and she sticks out her leg to keep me away.  She won’t allow me to pull her close.  She holds me at arms length.   She will push away from me, so I can’t hug her.  Oh.  She wants me to keep petting her, but she doesn’t want any hugs.

There are times I want her to experience new sights and smells.  She loves that.  I enjoy rewarding her.  I even asked someone to train her to be a better dog.  I wanted her to learn from the best how to be a great dog.

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!  1 John 3:1

I think of my Master.  He loves me unconditionally.  In fact, it doesn’t matter what I do.  He’ll still love me.  Oh.  There are times he’ll discipline me.  He’ll chastise me.  But I know he loves me still.

I find the more time I spend with my Master, the more time I want to spend with Him.  I lean on him for guidance.  I cozy up to him when I need comfort.  I ask for his peace when I face uncertain times.  Oh.  There are times when we don’t see eye to eye.  I ask for favors when I don’t deserve them.  I ask God to answer prayers that may be selfish or foolish.  I still have a lot to learn in my relationship with God.

There are times he wants to hold me close.  Wrapped in his arms of safety and security.  But I push him away.  Oh.  I want him nearby, but I don’t want his hugs.  I want to be close enough I can call if I need him, but not so close that I am engulfed in his presence.  Why is that?  Why do I seek independence?  Why do I hold him at arm’s length?  Why don’t I surrender fully to him?

The thing is.  He knew me before I was even born.  He knows the number of hairs on my head.  He knows my thoughts even if I don’t speak.  He sees everything I do.  He hears every word I say.  He knows my intentions.  He knows the number of days I will live.  He has the best plans laid out for me.  I am his.