Yesterday was a beautiful day, actually a little warm for this time of year. We took advantage of the sun and relatively calm winds to rake the yard again before the crews come around this week to vacuum up the piles of leaves. Sandy (the dog in the picture) was thoroughly enjoying the fresh air, wandering from one spot to another in the yard. At one point while I raked, I realized he was right next to me, so I stopped what I was doing to pay attention to him. He had the most loving expression on his face as he stood there wagging at me. It wasn’t a look that said, “I want to play.” It was just a look that said, “I love you.” I reached down to stroke his face and kiss his head, all while he continued smiling and wagging. After a few moments we both thoroughly enjoyed, he turned and went back to wandering in his yard.
If you are not a dog lover, you may not grasp the warmth of Sandy’s love in which I was able to bask even after he moved on. Perhaps you can more relate it to small children. There were moments when mine would abruptly leave what they were doing to give me a kiss and a hug, or tell me they loved me. Then they returned to their play. I treasured those moments – those spontaneous, heartfelt displays of pure affection with no ulterior motives.
If a human parent (I consider myself Sandy’s parent.) is so permanently touched when their child – or animal – lavishes unasked-for affection on them, think what it means to our heavenly Father when we stop what we’re doing just to give Him our love and complete attention. Daddy is overjoyed beyond words. We, His children, are also refilled and refreshed in the giving without strings attached, so we do actually receive, though it wasn’t our aim. We just came to love our Daddy. It’s so simple, just like it was such a simple joy for me with Sandy yesterday.
May you find the refreshing in loving your Perfect Father!
(By the way, I would have loved to have a picture of the expression on Sandy’s face as he poured out his love on me yesterday. He doesn’t like having his picture taken at all, but I wanted a current picture for the post. This is the best I could do! 
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