A Forever Home
For two decades, I’ve harbored a deep longing – a desire to bring a big, lovable dog into my life. However, life had other plans. Our apartment was too small, our budget too tight, and my wife, Denalyn, wasn’t exactly thrilled about the idea. Her reasoning? She’d already married one slobbering, shedding beast, so why add another to the mix? We compromised and got a small dog, Salty. While I adore Salty, let’s be honest – small dogs just aren’t the same as their larger counterparts.
A Passion Rekindled
Everything changed with the arrival of my daughter, Sara. She shares my passion for dogs, and together, we managed to sway the household vote. Denalyn finally relented, and our search for the perfect canine companion began. We stumbled upon a breeder in South Carolina who raises golden retrievers in a Christian environment, surrounded by inspirational music and prayers from birth. When I discovered the breeder was a fan of my work, I knew we’d found the right person. We placed our order, chose the name Molly, and even set aside a cozy spot for her dog pillow.
Claimed and Named
The remarkable thing is that Molly was claimed, named, and given a place in our home even before she was born. This got me thinking – isn’t this precisely what our Master did for us? Long before our first cry, He claimed us, named us, and reserved a place for us in His eternal home.
Preparing for the Journey
You and Molly have more in common than you might think. Both of you are being prepared for a journey – one that will ultimately lead you to your Master’s house. We may use terms like maturation and sanctification, but the end goal remains the same: to ready us for our eternal home.
Short-Term Housing
The Psalmist reminds us, “And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6 NKJV). This promise underscores a profound truth: our current dwelling is merely short-term housing. Our true homeland lies in heaven (Philippians 3:20). As we navigate this earthly life, let us not forget that we’re being prepared for another house – one that will be our forever home.
Stirring the Longing
So, don’t quench the longing for heaven that resides within you. Instead, stir it up! Remember, God’s home is a forever home, where we’ll dwell in His presence eternally. Let this promise guide you on your journey, and may it fill your heart with hope and anticipation.
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