For those of you who don't know, I have a little dog......and she is the cutest dog in the world. Truly. I call her my little ball of joy. She teaches me constantly. Yes, I know it is strange to think that a three pound dog could be such a source of revelation and wisdom, but she is.
Tiffy has never met a stranger. She loves everyone and believes it is her purpose in life to meet and greet all humans and to "love" them. I marvel at people's reactions to her. When they see her from a distance, most can't help but smile. It is an amazing thing to observe....."love unleashed." (Well, she is on a leash....but the love she carries is free to anyone who wants to receive!)
I watch as a new person approaches and I can tell when they first see her. A big grin breaks over each face at the sight of her wiggly cuteness. She begins to tug on her leash, little stubby tail waving in excitement. She can not wait to meet them. Her whole countenance says "I'm here!! Here I am! Aren't I cute? Aren't I special? I bet you can't wait to meet me!!"
Oh, that I would walk down the street with such joy, with such freedom to love that others would immediately grin at the sight of me. What would it be like to be so secure, so perfectly loved, that I would just assume everyone I met would love me? I can just imagine the freedom and the joy that would spread from such an attitude!
Even more amazing is Tiffy's reaction to the rare sole who is uninterested in her. It doesn't happen often, but every once in a while she encounters someone who doesn't share her enthusiasm. Whether they are too busy to stop or notice, or they don't like dogs, or perhaps they don't like little dogs....whatever the case may be....she will still run right up to them with exactly the same excitement as she shows the woman who starts talking to her in a high pitched voice from a block away. She is fearless! When this happens, when the love she extends isn't returned, she doesn't sulk. She doesn't pout with rejection, nor does she fear it. Her tail continues to wag. Her body continues to vibrate with joy. I believe she is thinking "How sad.....how very sad that he didn't even take the time to meet me. He is sure missing out!" She continues to be available to love, and to be loved, no matter the past rejection. She just continues on, in love. I really admire her attitude.
Yep, Tiffy assumes that everyone loves her and most people do. I want to live like that! I want to love like that! I want to give myself in love, with no worries about how or even "if" I will be received, with absolutely no fear of rejection. I want to move through life in perfect love, extending love with no strings attached and no reservations. I want to spread joy wherever I go.....pouring out onto whomever I encounter.
God loves all creatures, great and small. I know one very small creature who has a whole lot of love to share, and who constantly reminds me that I have a whole lot more to learn about His love.
