I Want to be Where You Are

A number of years ago, we went to the South Coast to choose two Yorkshire Terrier puppies from a litter that had been advertised. There were five puppies and we had to decide which two to choose. As happens so many times, inexplicably, the pups chose us. The first one bounced up to us with great eagerness, just wanting to play, and we couldn’t resist him. We waited for a while, and then one of the other pups just came and settled himself at my feet, as if he was at home. That action and attitude stole my heart, and so we brought Bogey home with his brother Ears.

These brothers were devoted to each other, played constantly and cuddled together at night. However, every now and then Bogey would leave off playing and come and plop himself down on my feet, wherever I was sitting. He just wanted to be near me, and then he relaxed and stretched out and dozed in my presence. Yet somehow, he was attuned to my movements, and he would start awake, if I made a move to get up. Then he would follow me around the house, or outside, wherever I was going.

This made me think of us and our relationship to our Father God. God chose each one of us when He created us in our mothers’ wombs. Then He chose us again when He adopted us into His family, when we accepted Jesus as our Saviour and brother. Natural conception is not a matter of choice; while adoption is a deeply considered choice, motivated by a deep love.

In a sense, we adopted Bogey, as we were obviously not his biological parents. However, in another sense, he adopted us. Both scenarios apply when we compare this to our relationship to God. God chose us, but we also had to make a decision to choose Him when we were born afresh into our spiritual family. Then we had a new daddy, just as Bogey had a new mommy. As a result of his love for me, all Bogey wanted was to be in my presence and bask in my love. His obvious longing for me touched my heart and endeared him even further to me.

Is this our reaction to our heavenly daddy? Do we just want to be in his presence? Do we bask in His love? Do we find His companionship enough for us? Do we relax and find peace in communion with Him? Do we touch and delight God’s heart by so obviously wanting to spend time with Him? If this is not true of us, maybe it’s time to re-assess our priorities.