No Matter What…
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them (1 John 2:15)
Shortly after the pandemic hit, our family made the same decision thousands of other Americans made: We bought a puppy! With six kids in our household and a calendar that was wiped clean, our new Boston Terrier, Rosie, enjoyed several months of snuggles, walks at the park, and fetch. She had our undivided attention.
For nearly 10 months, Rosie’s entire life was family time at home. She spent very little time with anyone outside of our family. But her world was about to change when the rescheduled Disney trip appeared on the family calendar. We reluctantly dropped her off at the kennel as we left town.
This first kennel experience was traumatic for her, no doubt. I am sure she felt scared and nervous, because she refused to eat. The kennel staff tried many times to get her to eat her food, but had very little success.
We could tell she lost weight because her harness did not fit right anymore. She must have wondered why we would have left her for so long. We worried that her time at the kennel might have changed her forever.
Thankfully, all of our fears left us when Rosie pranced through the kitchen door. She greeted us with even more licks, jumps, and excitement than ever before! She was back home. The real “happiest place on earth.”
She thought we abandoned her, but without hesitation she showed her unconditional love when we returned. When someone loves you unconditionally, the natural response is to love them back.
Our dogs love us no matter what.
We pledge to love our spouses no matter what.
Jesus promises to love us no matter what.
But what about the next job opportunity that takes you to a new city far away from family? Does the new job love you no matter what?
How about the promotion at work that comes with more hours and more pay? Does the promotion love you no matter what?
Things do not love you back. Guard your heart from materialism. When someone loves you unconditionally, cherish that gift and appreciate it. Our careers, our stuff, our “financial security,” and our vacations cannot love us back.
Lord Jesus, help me always remember that things will never love me back. Help me to really feel your unconditional love, and extend the same love to those around me.
