Filled to the Measure

Filled to the Measure

The second pup was twelve weeks old, but the first ten weeks of his life had been rough. He was living on the streets scavenging in trash for food when the rescue found him, covered in mange, a skin disease caused by mites. The rescue cleaned him up and posted him on their website, and when my husband saw him he said with no hesitation, “That’s our dog.”

I, however, had enough hesitation for the both of us. There wasn’t an aggressive bone in Murphy’s body, but he was unfamiliar with stairs, doorways, furniture, toys, people, affection. He was ambivalent towards us at best. He tolerated our pats and praise but seemed puzzled as to why it was necessary.

“I don’t feel bonded to him,” I told my aunt, who has worked with animals for years. “And he doesn’t feel bonded to us. What do I do?”

“Just love him,” she said simply.

Father God, Your love is the best gift we could ever receive. Thank You for filling us daily to the measure of all fullness, even when we don’t deserve it. When we have Your love, our every need is met and we shine with Your light.

I did. I welcomed each day by giving Murphy belly rubs while telling him how happy I was that he was a member of our family now. I celebrated him for every small thing he mastered – climbing up the steps, walking on a leash, taking his bathroom breaks outside. Gradually, he started wagging his tail. He acquired a spring in his step as he followed me from room to room. He began to light up when he saw me, his entire body wiggling in joy and excitement. In short order, simple love was transforming this puppy, and I was lucky enough to have a front row seat to it in real time.

The simple love I was able to give Murphy has nothing on the love God has for us – as it says in Ephesians, His love surpasses knowledge. Every empty place inside of us, God’s love has the power to fill. The best part is, we don’t need to do anything to earn it. It’s already there. He is so happy that you are a member of His family. He is celebrating every goodness right along with you. He wants to be bonded with you. He wants to transform your life with love: wide, long, high and deep love. A love that lights you.