The Couch

Last evening I was sitting on the grass in town overlooking the lake and I saw two poodles. Both of them were off-white, one of them was nicely trimmed. His hair about one inch in length all over his body, and he walked very proudly on a leash next to his owner. The other one, also on a leash walking rather proudly, was covered in puffs and poms from head to toe!  She had a bit of a prance to her step and I imagined that her toe nails were pink. I thought of Fur Ball and his race to get back to the house from our mountain hike and tried to imagine how he might look in puffs and poms, and I couldn't help but burst out in laughter.
This morning as my husband was reading to our children, Fur Ball helped himself to our son on the couch. It seemed like the most comfortable place to be, and he read the sign on our wall which says "If you want the best chair in the house, move the dog." He didn't bother to move my son, he just sat on top of him, it was softer for him that way.
My daughter told Fur Ball that she missed Stinky Dog. We all do. I think he understands. He's been putting up with a lot of Stinky Dog talk around here and working hard to walk in her paws. Even though he has made some mistakes, like pee on the floor and eat a few socks, I'm thinking Fur Ball is pretty nice. He's taking it all in stride, and even with poodle syndrome and the inability to use a leash, he knows how to cuddle, and he listens well. He reminds me of love, I think he loves me.
This morning I read Ephesians 1:3 and it says this: "Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son."
Wow, like Fur Ball, I can go to the couch of my Father and know that I am loved. I am adopted into His family, accepted. I am the focus of His love and He is making me whole and holy. Isn't it amazing?
Jesus, Say That Again!