What happened between my husband and a dog named Maggie was not love at first sight. In fact, their first meeting was more like a war dance. When Jay came home from work, Maggie stopped him at the back door and growled at him as if he were an intruder. Then Jay growled, wanting to know why a strange dog was in his home. I explained why I rescued her from the kennel, but he was unmoved.

But soon Maggie began welcoming Jay home in the evening with a wildly excited dance routine. With all 20 toenails tapping on the tile she would wag her tail and wiggle to tell him that his arrival was the highlight of her day. Within a week, her enthusiastic welcome had won his heart.

Maggie's method of winning Jay's affection reminded me of what the prophet Jeremiah and the apostle John wrote. God's love for us, they said, draws us into a loving relationship with Him (Jeremiah 31:3; 1 John 4:7-8,19).

When I think about God enjoying my presence as much as Maggie enjoys Jay's, I am eager to spend time with Him. I realize that God loves me far more than Maggie loves Jay, and my heart fills up with love for Him. And then my heart overflows with love for others, for the power of God's love empowers me to love even those who don't love me.  —JAL  — Julie Ackerman Link