Dagwood Bumstead and I have a common interest in life. We love naps. Also like his dog Daisy who comes and awakens him, I can be completely unconscious on the couch when I feel hot breath enveloping my space. I have learned not to open an eye, not even to peek. From six inches away she stares waiting for the slightest flicker of an eyelid. To flicker is to get a gigantic red tongue swash over my nose and mouth. Yuk. This is followed by 100 pounds of nuzzling and cuddling and pushing. The nap is over.
In 1893 Francis Thompson first published his poem “The Hound of Heaven.” God is the relentless hound that once on our trail with His gift of grace, continues the pursuit. From inches away He watches us, waiting for the faintest flicker of an eye or raising of our brows. Any signal that the time is right will be capitalized upon. We can’t run away. Jonah tried. Psalm 139 reads, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
If you have felt the nearness of His pursuit, give up. I promise you He will not. He is extremely patient.
By the way if you ever have the opportunity to hold a lab’s ear lightly crunched in your hand, do it. It is one of the softest things you will ever hold.
Written by Roger Bothwell on April 4, 2012
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org