“I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.” II Timothy 1:4 NLT
Springers are companion dogs. (Some call them Velcro dogs.) This contributed to the separation anxiety Famous exhibited in my first efforts to leave him alone. Even though he would sleep and travel in his crate as a puppy, leaving him in the crate unattended in the house turned out to be a terrible solution. When I would return home after leaving him crated for a few hours, I would find him completely spent, sweaty, and sometimes bloody from either trying to free himself or trying to come after me. As little as he was, he had shifted his crate across the entire floor to the opposite side of the room. He and the room looked like a disaster. It took several weeks (and several claw marks in the front door) for him to eventually trust me to leave him alone in the house (but outside of his prison).
I remember those sad, desperate puppy yelps. Now when I have to leave him alone, he calmly goes directly under the dining room table to watch me leave with no protest. However, the joy we have when I come home is always a celebration!
Separation can be difficult, especially if it is forced. I truly believe, however, that any separation from God arises from our part and not God’s. He is the eternal Father waiting for the prodigal child to come home.
Dear God, help me to become a “Velcro” disciple.
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