Puppy Love

               We are dog people. We don't have any now but we love other people's dogs. Our son just yesterday brought an eight week old puppy home....and we have had photos coming by text. In the latest....five minutes ago....the puppy is lying on the green grass...looking up into the camera with that big wonderful smile that dogs give. At eight weeks just about everything is new to him. He was taken away from the litter....to a new home....and new big people.....but there is no concern for if he will still get food.....or if he can trust this new big man. There is just joy. The tummy aches and the thunder and the occasional scolding will come later.
               Folks....this is very much like when one is born again! The joy is almost inexpressible! The trials and the thunder and the staff and the rod will come later....but for the moment....there is only God....and we trust Him. We Trust Him! There are no questions about why bad things happen to good people....or what about the good grandparent or elderly neighbor who helps everyone....but adamantly and openly rejects God....therefore has no salvation? There are no complaints on how God can permit war....no advice on how God could do it better if he tried to....no modernizing the gospel of salvation because we know just a little bit more about what works than God.
              There is only trust in this new life....adopted....with a new family....and love....a love that we haven't even tried to define. The dog days of August will indeed come in many and various ways. There will be trials....even great trials....and chewing on that that should not be chewed....and making noise that upsets everyone....and there will be depression at times....weariness....and tears....even doubts....but God is still God....He does not change! We love Him because He first loved us....while we were peeing everywhere. He chose us! There was a whole litter but He chose us! So when that discouragement comes....we need to go back....to when we were taken to a new home....and we need to look up into that same glorious face that gave us so much joy when we first believed!