Tag: #boundlessjoy

I had to be in Columbus this afternoon, so I didn’t go into the school this morning. I got up and went to mass, came home, made breakfast, did some paperwork and gathered some materials that I needed to take with me. I then took the dogs for a later morning walk, returned home and packed for my trip.

The dogs must have known that I was leaving, but exactly how they knew I will never know. They would not let me out of their sight. In fact, Eve tried to strong arm her way to a longer walk than normal. There is always a little bit of a power struggle between Ruby and Eve when we walk. Eve loves her daily walks. She is even more excited when we go for our second walk of the day after dinner. Ruby also enjoys the walk, but she would prefer if it was shorter and limited to just one walk a day. But she does insist on going on walk #2 because she is afraid she will miss something.

Eve is affectionately called “Go Dog”, because she will go non-stop until she absolutely drops. Ruby, on the other hand, is a bit lazier. We like to call her “Me Too”, because she doesn’t like to be left out of anything. Which means, she will doing anything Eve does, simply because Eve is doing it.

I was lamenting earlier today via Facebook about these two “shadows” that followed me all around the house. Even before our walk, they were stuck to me like glue. They laid by me while I made breakfast. I even tripped over Ruby twice as she insists on sitting in front of the stove while I cook. They were under foot while I got paperwork ready. Eve actually laid on my feet while I did computer work, while Ruby (and Tux – Ruby’s cat) laid on the rug next to the table. After our walk, they followed me back and forth from the bathroom to the bedroom as I finished getting my clothes and toiletries ready for my trip. Then they followed me downstairs to get my luggage. Eve sat and stared at me as I put my clothing into the bag with this questioning look on her face that said, “You’re not leaving us, are you?” Even though I know she already knew the answer. And when I went to get a shower it was as if it was a call to assemble. I could barely get into the shower because they had secured its perimeter. Maybe they were thinking, “if she can’t shower, she can’t leave.”

As I loaded the car, Eve was sure that she just might be going on this trip with me. We don’t call her “Go Dog” for nothing. She nearly knocked me down on no fewer than four occasions in an effort to get into the vehicle. I finally had to raise my voice and firmly tell her “NO!”. Ruby just looked at me as if to say, “I didn’t do it. I’m taking a nap. All that following you around has worn me out.” And Eve. Poor Eve, she looked so dejected with that “NO!”. And her eyes pleaded with me.

As I stood in the garage looking at both of them and their sad little dog faces as I was preparing to leave, I realized that this was the look of unconditional love and boundless joy. Those two dogs were beyond happy to just be with me this morning. Sure they enjoyed the walk, but that really wasn’t what mattered. They were home with one of their people. It didn’t matter if I was cooking, doing work, packing, or showering. I was with the pack today.

Who else shows that kind of boundless joy, that kind of unconditional love to you – always? My dogs are always happy to see me, even when I yell at them with a stern “NO!”. They always want to be with me. Always, no matter what.

And to whom do we show that boundless joy and unconditional love? I am sure we would all love to say to our spouse and to our children, but I know that boundless joy is not always a part of it. I can definitely say I am not always the most lovable person. And I am sure there are times when my family does not want to be around me. Doesn’t mean they don’t love me, just means that sometimes I am hard to love.

We are human and we fall victim to human emotions, desires, and expectations. As much as we want to love unconditionally, that is not always the easiest thing to do. While we still love our spouse, children, family, we deal with all kinds of other emotions, and we may not always find joy in that love. Because sometimes people (especially me) are hard to love.

But there is someone who loves unconditionally, who rejoices in us, even when we are difficult to love. Even when we think we are unlovable. That’s God. He loves us even when we are hard to love, He rejoices in us even when we can’t rejoice in ourselves.

God is love, the epitome of joy. Sometimes I forget that because I get so caught up in everything else going on in my life. In being angry, or disappointed, or frustrated. I forget to love others because I forget that God loves me, in my brokenness, in my anger, in my disappointments, in my frustration. Always, no matter what. I forget that God is always with me, even when I am angry, disappointed, or frustrated. Even when I don’t feel His presence or think that He is around. God always wants to be with me. Always, no matter what.

So today, let’s try to share boundless joy and love unconditionally. If you are not sure what that looks like, visit an animal shelter, spend some time with a dog, then stop by a church and thank God for rejoicing in you and loving you – unconditionally. Please pray for me and I will continue to pray for you.