Lessons from a Puppy (Part 1) - Virginia

I've been a dog owner now for 2.5 years to two crazy cool mini schnauzers, Gimli (2.5 ys) and Virgina (1.5 ys). The more time I spend with my sweet puppies, the more I notice their unique personalities, quirks, love languages. Though they are not human, therefore not created in God's image, it is overwhelmingly clear that God has created them uniquely and intricately, which amazes me every day. God uses them to illustrate truths to me- truths about His love for me, my sin, His desires for my life. Every day God speaks to me through their little lives, drawing me towards Himself in new ways, and often in old ways I haven't quite gotten yet.

Virginia is our little sweetie pie. Her love language is physical touch. Her primary objective in life is to get as close as possible to Paul and me. She follows me around everywhere I go. I have kicked her in the head more times than I can count because she's standing right by my feet. When I sit on the couch, she hops up and snuggles up to me and lays her little head on my leg. If I stop petting her, she nudges my hand to encourage me to keep petting. When I get in the shower, she sits on my towel right by the tub and waits for me to get out, and when I do, she wags her tail and gets so excited to see me again. 

    

Every time I notice her following me, or I kick her because she's standing too close, or she's waiting patiently and expectantly for my attention, God whispers to my heart, "I want you to be that attached to me. I want you to follow me everywhere I go. I want you to stick that close by my side. I want to be the ultimate treasure in your life like you are to Virginia." I want that for my life so badly too. I am so easily distracted by my circumstances, possessions (or lack thereof), money, relationships, the media, so many things. I long to be as singularly focused on the One who I need to care for me, lead me, and meet my needs, like my sweet pea Virginia is focused on us. I am praying that God will instill in me trust for Him that no matter where He goes, I just want to be right at His feet. That no matter what's going on around me, I know that He meets all of my needs and will never let me go without the things I truly need. And that I love and enjoy Him so much that I look for every opportunity to spend time with Him. I am so incredibly thankful that God is allowing me to learn this lesson by being adored by a little furry animal who I can snuggle with every day!