I was working in my home office and my dog, Archie, was lying on a mat in the room next to my office. I got up and headed to the back bathroom to take a shower. After my shower, I walked out of the back bathroom and there was Archie … lying on the floor outside the door. I picked up my socks and headed back toward my office. Archie trotted back to the front of the house, to his mat beside my office, and laid back down. He just wanted to be near me. He didn’t have to be in the same room … just close by. I love that! What a great representation of love and devotion God shows us through our pets. That dog makes me feel special, the way he likes to always be near me … in my presence.
I think about what Moses said to God on the journey to the Promised Land: “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here” (Exodus 33:15). Moses knew how important God’s presence was in his life. Nothing we do will be worthwhile if His presence does not go with us.
I know God is a great big God, and that He’s involved in every one’s lives and even in the smallest details of what’s going on in the world and the universe. I know He’s busy. I know that in the grand scheme of things I’m sort of insignificant. He doesn’t have to include me in on all the details of what He’s doing. All I want is to be near Him … to be close by. Even if we’re not in “the same room” I’m satisfied knowing that He’s in the house. I want to follow Him wherever He goes. There’s comfort in His presence. There’s a feeling of safety in His presence. There’s joy and peace in His presence. That’s why I’m devoted to Him.
Thanks, Archie, for the reminder!
