Not Always Easy – Devotion 111

We remember well picking up Leo.  We knew Emma was getting older and we thought a new addition may perk her up.  When we were looking for energy, we got that and then some.  As cute and adorable as Leo was, he was a handful.  Emma was so easy to train.  She really gave us very little problems.  She was overall a whole tall lanky body of fun.  She was opinionated and we had gotten accustomed to her moods.  But then there was Leo.  I cannot tell you how many times I said…what were we thinking?!  He was a challenge from day 1.  We all wondered what we had gotten ourselves into?

Leo wasn’t easy to love in the beginning.  He just wasn’t.  His cute face was just not quite enough.  He worked my nerves daily.  Some days, he still does.  But wow have things changed.  He has made his way as a central member of the family.  He is fun and energetic.  He is sweet and loving.  He has his own cool ways of communicating.  When Emma died, we wondered how he would adjust to being alone.  He took it in stride – and by that I mean he has become the apple of everyone’s eye.  He knows how to trick us all into giving him treats and doing pretty much anything he wants.  I can’t imagine life without him now.  But he hasn’t always been easy to love.

Let’s be honest – we aren’t always that easy to love either.  We can be whiny and picky.  We can be demanding and snappy.  We often want things our way.  And we want it when we want it in the time frame we want it.  What really blows my mind is that even when I am not easy to love, God loves me.  Even when I am grumpy or having a bad day or just not feeling well, God doesn’t stop loving me.  He doesn’t stop loving me when I am difficult or a challenge to live with.  His love is not conditional on how I look or act or feel.  His love is unconditional.  He loves me because that is just who he is.  And I am so grateful.  And he loves you that much too!

May you feel loved today.  May you become wrapped in his unconditional love that carries us throughout our lives.  May you know God is with you.

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 136:1-3

¹ O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
² O give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
³ O give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery