What a crazy and enthusiastic welcome we get every time we return home…from our dogs. Even if we have only been gone 30 minutes, they bark and lick and bounce and spin in a show of joy as if we have been gone for months. Dog years and dog time aside, it is the most beautiful thing to feel so missed, loved, and appreciated. In fact, as we get close to the house, I can see them sitting with their noses close to the window, looking and waiting with eager anticipation. It’s the epitome of absolute love. Jesus promised us he would return, but how do we behave while we wait for him? “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who love His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8). It may seem crazy, but our dogs have shown me what “love his appearing” looks like. It’s not being able to exist without Jesus. It’s looking every day, every moment, for his return. And when he appears, our excitement should make us sing, and dance and jump and spin in a show of joy. This is real love. Love that is pained in separation. Love that is waiting in expectation. Love that is rapturous in reunion. “Even so come Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20). Open Bible – https://bit.ly/3l918Vo, http://bit.ly/rev22v20
