I’m pretty sure Winnie has separation anxiety. I’m slightly teasing, but our 11-month old pup cannot stand to be away from me or Chris. She gets up on the couch and will “nose” you to get you to start petting her. She has the weird sitting stance where she sits up straight like a statue as you pet her and then she slowly falls backwards until she’s almost off the couch. If you stop, she nudges you again with to get close and get some petting time.
When we get up, she gets up. When we walk to the kitchen, she’s right there. It’s become the running joke in our house that we tell her that we’re just “going to the bathroom and we don’t need her to watch.” She still follows.
As she followed me into the other room this morning, I thought about my relationship with God. Is it the same way?
We often lean in close to Him when we are struggling. We praise Him when a prayer has been answered. We go to church on Sunday or attend a Bible study once a week. But what about the rest of the time? There’s so much scripture about drawing close to Him.
“Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.” –Isaiah 55:6
“Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.” –Hebrews 4:16
“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him; He also hears their cry and saves them.” –Psalm 145:18-19
The Bible tells us him can approach with confidence. It doesn’t say TRY and seek the Lord. It says SEEK the Lord. When we are always making our day about Him, leaning into Him, praying with ceasing, praising without ceasing, what does that do for our emotional and mental well-being?! It brings contentment. It brings a joy and a peace. It cloaks you with the Armor of God; it brings protection!
If I followed God as faithfully as Winnie follows us, there would be no room for Satan to step in between. Oh, he’ll try. But when we are firmly planted by Jesus, the devil’s plans will be thwarted. God will have the victory because we have not left a gap in our walk!
Do you have a pet (or even a child) that can’t stand to leave your side? As you go through the week and you’re spending time with them, remind yourself to stay that close to our Heavenly Father.
~Erin
Iron Porch 