Jun 12, 20203 min read

In His Presence

I've learned a lot about my dog during quarantine. Even though we've been together for several years now, I learned some surprising things about Cooper.

The funniest thing he does is asking Caleb and I to come outside WITH him.

We have french doors in our living room that lead out to our backyard. He'll indicate that he wants to go outside. Caleb and I will oblige him, only to have him scratching on the door to come back in within a minute of being let out.

It took a while for me to catch on....but Cooper didn't want to go outside by himself. He wanted us to go WITH him.

The other thing I noticed during quarantine, is just how much my dog loves to be in our presence.

He'll search for either Caleb or I, and just sit by us. Cooper does not like to be left alone. He is most comfortable when He can lie down next to us, whether that be the living room, office, kitchen, or outside.

I know this is common for dogs, but the fact I am just now learning that about my dog, touched me.

It made me thing of God, and how he also yearns for us to be in His presence.

In fact, beyond the reality of the cross and His resurrection, it is God's gentle nudges of pursuance that gets me the most. The little ways that He gets my attention.

Whenever I finally realize that God is trying to get my attention, it always makes me smile.

I smile because it makes me realize just how much God wants me. How important I am to Him. It's very moving-more than a sermon.

Watching Cooper calmly sit by me, also made me think of the famous Psalm 23.

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.

He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.

He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake.

Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.

It's the second verse that Cooper reminds me the most of...He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.

The verse talks of safety and peace. These are two things that we feel when we are in His presence. Something worth achieving-worth craving. Like God craves for us.

Unfortunately, I don't always crave God's presence just like I don't always crave to be in Cooper's presence.

In fact, I sometimes....okay often times, take Cooper's presence for granted.

But then I am for grateful for verses like 2 Timothy 2:13 "If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself."

God is ever faithful, especially to His children. That's what it means about not denying Himself-because if you are a child of God, then you have Christ in YOU- and He can't deny you.