I have a dog. “Auggie Doggie” is probably one of the best friends I have ever had. He is an adorable black lab-mix, with a white stripe down the front of his chest. He has been camping, boating, fishing, in the deserts and up in the mountains. We have spent a lot of time together and he has seen me at my worst and at my best.

He has always been there for me, to give me a hug or a kiss on the cheek. He has always loved me no matter how much food I had given him, no matter how many doggie toys I bought him, no matter how many blankets I put out for him when it was cold, no matter how I smelled after fishing or working all day in the yard. No matter what my hair looked like, Auggie loved me the same. No matter how late I came home from work, Auggie loved me the same. No matter even sometimes when I wouldn’t come home at night and not see him till the next day, Auggie loved me the same.

Do you have a dog or cat? Or a pet that is special to you? Do you know that special smile or grin or bark or purr they give when you first open the door. That special longing all day long while your away, they are there, waiting for you, looking for you, they live for you. It’s like nothing else in the world matters to them at that moment but you. Not their belly, not the pretty female dog next door, not fishing or chasing sticks on the beach, not digging holes in their favorite spot in the yard. All that matters when you open your front door to your pet is you. Pure love. How amazing animals can share such emotion, when often times we as human beings are incapable of loving the very people we live with, even the very people that gave birth to us. And lets not forget the very One who made us, and died for us.

The Lord is speaking loud and clear to my heart right now, and I need to raise a question. When was the last time you spent quiet time with the Lord, and came to the table of worship with even a fraction of the excitement your pet has when you come home? When was the last time you put aside the bills, the cell phone, the computer, the remote control and your beloved television and really focused, solely, uniquely and individually on Jesus? Do you think that He would enjoy that? It is something to fathom that our pets express more love on a daily basis to us than we do to God let alone each other. My prayer today is that we start right now. That we take time right now, this moment and give time to God. Turn off the computer and turn the ringer off on your phone. Light a candle and open your favorite devotional, or take out a journal. A half hour a day, 1/48th of your day. Do you have that much time to spare for the Lord?

This writing has convicted my heart, I have a long way to go, but you know what? I have a heartbeat, and Jesus lives there, and that means I have hope. And so do you!!!!!