My Dog My Metaphor III

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My Dog My Metaphor III

Kiera is our latest dog. She is Australian Shepherd and something (Border Collie?). She is a one person dog. She is very friendly to all that visit us but it is me she runs to the door to meet. Kiera has another trait, she sits to eat. In Chinese folk-lore that means she possesses the spirit of an ancestor, to me she just sits to eat.

I've noticed another odd behavior. When she sits to eat she frequently turns to look at me. When I leave the room where the dog dish is she leaves off eating to come find me. If I don't stay, she won't finish. There have been numerous times when suppertime came part of breakfast is still there. She wants my presence more than food.  

It struck me the other day that this trait is something to emulate. Is God's presence more important than physical sustenance? If God is not in my life, can or will I just keep moving on? In the Book of Exodus, chapter 33, God tells Moses to lead the people into the Promised Land but HE would not go with them. Moses makes his plea that if God does not go, how will anyone know if HE was pleased with them. God promised an angel would go before and root out all the evil nations currently possessing the land but HE Himself would only watch from a distance. Moses continued to plea on behalf of the people, till God said HE would accompany them.

My dogs dedication and love causes me to do some introspection. Is my relationship with God REALLY more important than anything else in my life? I know that there have been days where I only stopped for a small prayer over meals but had little other communication with Him. God desires us to love Him as a wife.  A woman views her whole day in the perspective of her relationship, and can be upset when her "hubby" does not do the same. Flowers and kisses (and chocolate) don't replace a loving heart. Being a man I struggle with the concept of being a bride. We know the Church is the Bride of Christ, and I am part of that. Putting money in the offering, going to church, or following some ritual does not replace a loving relationship.

Kiera loves me, I can see it when she wags her tail at my approach. She is not content to wait in the hall for very long if I am in the bedroom with the door closed. When I come down the stairs, or come in the house after being gone somewhere, her tail wags her body. Her spirit cannot be contained. She jumps, spins, and watches my every movement. I ask how we react when we see God in our life? More importantly, do I notice when HE is not in some activity I choose. How long does it take to notice His absence?

I pray not far!