Unconditionally

Psalm 52: 8-9 “But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love forever and ever. I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.”

Each time I return home, I am greeted by a four-legged bundle of joy. Regardless of whether we have been gone two minutes or several hours, our dog Bristol greets my husband and me with a wagging tail and the happiest look on her face. Her affection for us is unconditional.

I often wonder if God has a similar view of us. When we come to His house for worship, I can imagine God shaking a bit with joy at our entrance. He might not have a big tail or sloppy doggy kisses, but the feeling is the same. God loves us unconditionally.

The first verse reminds us of God’s unfailing love for us. We grow in God’s word each day that we read the Bible and grow in community with other Christians. Having trust in the Lord is important for our spiritual growth.

The second verse is instructions for how we are to live our lives. We are to praise God and hope in God. God is a source of positiveness in our lives. All we have to do is believe in God.

Each day, I am reminded of God’s love for me when I awake, when I see a beautiful full moon, and even when my dog greets me at the door. All I have to do is believe.

Submitted by Kari Murray