I never ceased to be amazed at the number of ways God speaks to us. I see Him say, “I love you” through a robin’s eggs, sunsets, purple-flowered weeds, hugs from children, a snuggle with your Bride, and a cool breeze upon a sweaty brow.
By His grace, God has opened my eyes to His goodness. Now, I can see Him jumping up and down trying desperately to get His children’s attention. He is waving His hands and shouting, “I LOVE YOU!” And still many are blind to that fact. I hear people demand to know why God allows suffering, and yet they walk by His innumerable blessings everyday oblivious to His love, mercy and grace!
Nevertheless, God loves the spiritually blind as well. He gave me a glimpse of His compassion one night not too long ago. I had gone to visit a friend when she directed my attention to the shrubbery beside the front porch. There in the bushes, cowering in a frightened heap just barely out of sight, was a tiny black and brown puppy. After much “sweet talking” and coaxing, the puppy finally mustered up the courage to inch forward enough to sniff my outstretched hand. The sniff gave her enough assurance to allow me to softly pat her nose… then her head… until finally I was stroking her trembling body. My friend informed me that the puppy just showed up one day starving and trembling behind the hedges. Obviously, the dog had been the victim of abuse and ill-treatment… not unlike many people we pass on the street every day.
All of us have experienced the pain of mistreatment… some more than others. For some, it was an alcoholic father, or a mother we could not please, or a spouse who walked away, or a defiant teenager who ran away from home, or a relationship that turned sour and left a deep gash in our heart. I can imagine that little puppy had seen her share of heartache. I am sure there were hands extended to her in love which suddenly turned without warning into instruments of pain and rejection.
The healing of a wounded spirit takes time. That is why Isaiah said of Jesus… “A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out” (Matthew 12:20). The spirit of that little puppy was broken but still dangling… at the point of dying yet flickering. A hand extended in compassion fanned the hope of love and acceptance in the heart of that little puppy. The warmth of hope overcame the chill of fear until inch by inch, courage overcame fright, and faith swallowed up hopelessness.
Aren’t you glad that Jesus always has His hand of mercy and grace extended toward us? Won’t you let His strength and courage rise up against the fear in your soul at least enough to sniff His hand? Do you smell the fragrance of His grace? Inch forward a little more and let Him soothe the longing in your heart for His unconditional love and acceptance. Patiently, He waits for you to allow Him to stroke your tortured soul with grace and peace. Relax… enjoy… rest in His love.
And when you have savored the fullness of the Master’s love, maybe you will allow His hand to slip inside of yours to reach out to another who may be cowering anxiously in a weed-bed of life. Be patient… keep the faith… know that the Promised Land is only a sniff away!
Blessings,
Kenny
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