Today marks two years since we welcomed our pet Schnauzer, Sugar, into the family. The boys had prayed for at least weeks, and probably more like months. And while we were on a trip to visit my parents, the boys and I “stumbled across her” at a pet adoption day in a local pet store there.
Sugar wasn’t much to behold that day. Scraggly, not entirely clean, trapped in that kennel. But that didn’t stop us from adopting her. Today, she is clean, regularly bathed and sensibly groomed (albeit not professionally, but pretty dog-gone good). She never runs out of food or water. She has her own kennel… with her own bed… and her own toys with which to play. And she has a fenced-in yard. On top of that, she doesn’t have to wait for the humans to take notice that she needs to take care of business… she has a doggie door and can go outside at her heart’s desire.
I’ve got to admit, this dog has it made… and so does Sugar.
You see, I too, was once pursued and brought into a family. I didn’t look like much when God found me. But He cleaned me up (& keeps me clean). He provides for me and protects me. I am free to live a life full of joy and peace within the wonderful boundaries He has set out for me… boundaries which keep me near Him. It really is a great life.
I love that quote from Dick Foth in his book, Known… “Pursuit affirms value.” It reminds me of the three stories Jesus told in Luke 15 about the lost coin, the lost sheep and the lost son. The pursuit of those in each story point to how God pursues us. And it is that very pursuit which declares about each of us that we are of value to Someone… the most important Someone in the Universe.
It’s nice to be wanted. Wanted means we have value. And you do. You have value… You ARE valuable! Don’t forget that.
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