Tip of My Iceberg

Foster is a playful sort. Not overly disciplined but pretty much able to wrap those he loves around his little paw.

That’s right. A dog. Full of personality and panache. A canine with the capacity to be childlike.

He looks at the world with big brown eyes, expecting fun and often finding it.

He belongs to Michael, daughter Courtney’s fiancee. Which technically makes Courtney his adopted mom.

And Foster has embraced her with all the passion of a beloved and chosen child.

He doesn’t always act as sweet as he appears. And he doesn’t always appear as sweet as he can be.

Like us, he’s downright complicated.

He’s got great motives. He wants to run and play and sleep and eat. Not make life hard.

He sometimes comes across like a tough guy. Mean and growly exterior. That doesn’t define him.

His soft side comes out as playfulness, sweetness. But he’s more than that.

He’s the total package. The good and the bad.

Just like me.

I’ve got my good days and bad, my ups and downs. When I’m my ornery, growly self, the persona I’m least fond of, I come across as critical and judgmental. I can be that, but it doesn’t define me.

My soft side comes out with those I truly care for. I can be kind and empathetic.

But not always.

I’m complicated.

Courtney’s grown to love Foster as if she’s had him since he was a puppy. As if he’d been hers from the beginning.

Total love and acceptance. Even when he’s growly.

God treats me with the same gentleness and love. He knows me fully. Accepts me completely. Even with His awareness of my truly growly side.

“Long before He laid down earth’s foundations, He (God) had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by His love. Long, long ago He decided to adopt us into His family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure He took in planning this!)”   Ephesians 1:4-5

Courtney has embraced Foster as a necessary part of her life and Michael’s. A beloved part. Knowing all that he is.

God has embraced me with even more love. Has chosen to adopt me as His daughter.

He’s a Father who delights in me. Will never abandon me. Even being fully aware of all that I am.

I don’t fully understand it. I realize I don’t fully appreciate it.

I’m actually in awe of what it means to me.

Security. Safety. Acceptance. Love. Hope.

A future. A forever.

So I can rest in the love my Father gives me. Knowing He will always be there.

Just like Foster. Who hasn’t a care in the world.

Because he’s got his people. Who love him.