Come Near: A Tale of Two Strays

A short time ago, I visited some family in South Carolina. While at my brother's house, I met his dog for the first time. Technically, she's a stray that he has basically claimed as his own; and she has pretty much claimed him as well. He named her "Fallon" The catch is, she still very much acts like a stray. Despite being fed and provided for by my brother, she still has not warmed up to him (or anyone else). She sticks around the property, but keeps her distance from everyone. We all assume that she has probably gone through abuse and trauma early on in life. Whatever the case, she will only get so close to a human before she shies away. 

One morning, while I was sitting out on the porch, she came up out of nowhere. When she realized that I was sitting there, she stopped at the steps. I was listening to worship music on my phone, and I thought maybe by some supernatural miracle, that was what drew her. However, that is as far as she went. I called her name and assured her it was OK. So often, we see the yearning in her as she whimpers and hesitates. Yet, she always decides to back down. No matter how much we want to show her even more love, she simply will not let her guard down and fully let the love in. It's truly heartbreaking. She won't come near.

For several weeks now, I have continued to think about Fallon. Up until now, I hadn't gotten around to writing about her yet. Recently, it came into focus when I considered our own stray at our house. She is the perfect example of what it means to come near; to love and be loved. 

The stray at my house is a small little kitty (and that's basically what we call her; "little kitty"). She's little, but she loves much. This sweet little baby is frequently waiting on the steps when we get home. She mews and talks to us; yearning to be picked up. She could cuddle with you all day every day and never tire of it. It is the sole reason she comes to our house. We've set out a water dish (and she'll occasionally drink from it), but she turns up her nose any time we take pity on her and want to give her some scraps. I could be cooking some delicious meat, and she won't even want a taste of it. She rather prefers the tiny rodents she stalks and kills; and often brings their headless bodies to us as a "present." 

The neighbor's cat, "Muffins", also likes to visit us (he's a real big, beefy, and exotic looking cat that we usually just call "Fat Boy"). He also loves attention and cuddles; and will gladly take any food scraps that Little Kitty rejects. Little Kitty seems to get annoyed by his presence; often swatting at him so he doesn't interfere with her own cuddle time. Every day, she lets us know when she's at our doorstep. Even if the front door is closed, we can hear her mewing. When the air conditioner was still in the window, she would even hop on top of it so we could hear her even better at the living room window. If we didn't come outside and pay attention to her right away, she would often chill out behind a little bush beside our front door. Usually, there comes a point where we can't stand the pitiful mewing and sad eyes forever. I would feel especially bad for her if it was raining outside. This is what moved me to buy a cheap little "kitty house" on Amazon lol. We put it by her favorite bush so that she would have a waterproof/insulated place to be ("Fat Boy" tried to hone in on it too, but he was too hefty to get in and out of it lol). When I first showed her the kitty house, she was way too happy that I was outside petting her to fully check it out. I had to go indoors before she would actually go all the way inside it. Now, she goes in there a lot; and it makes me so happy to give it to her and that she loves it. Though, she immediately comes right out if any of us walk out the door. She can't help herself. She wants to show her love to us; and to be loved BY us. It's heart-melting. She always comes near. 

By now, you probably know where I'm going with this (and be sure to watch the short video if you want to see Fallon and Little Kitty in action). We have a Father in heaven that loves us SO MUCH!! He is our Good Shepherd; and we are His sheep. We are His, and He calls us by name (Isaiah 43:1, Isaiah 45:3, Isaiah 49:1). Like Fallon and Little Kitty, we have all been strays and orphans (Isaiah 53:6, John 14:18). Even when we are accepted into His family, sometimes we struggle to believe we're truly loved and that it's OK to come near. We hesitate to trust and embrace the safety of the One who wants to lavish His love and goodness on us because of past hurts and trauma. Perfect love casts out fear, but we have to be willing to surrender and let go. He is gentle and patient with us. In our "Fallon" moments, He will still love, provide, and pursue us; but He won't force us. It doesn't change how He feels about us if we won't come near, but ohhhhhhhhh how He LONGS for us to do so! What freedom there is in His perfect love! What joy! What peace!

How I wish Fallon would fully let love in! She'll accept the good gifts from the hand that feeds and provides for her, but not the heart behind it. Little Kitty is the opposite. She will petition and ask incessantly like the persistent widow in the Bible who asked for justice. She will not give up until her request is granted! She will accept good things from us, sure, but she most desires the heart and affections of the one she loves and is loved by. Oh my goodness, do we have any idea how THRILLED the Father must be when we hunger and thirst for Him in that same way?! I think about how delighted He must be when His children just want to come near. When we draw near to Him, He draws near to us (James 4:8). He can't possibly refuse! He knows we need and enjoy the blessings from His hand (like food and shelter). Though, how He must love the hearts that say: "even if I didn't have these things, You are enough for me. I just want you!" That's what Little Kitty has demonstrated to me. She just wants to be near us and with us. That's enough for her. That's the kind of heart I want to have too. To love and be loved by God, to be content with Him, that's enough. As Paul says: 

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. - Philippians 4:12-13.  

Grace and peace to you, my friends! I pray that you'll allow yourself to love and be loved by the Father. Don't miss out on the Father's heart! Don't be afraid to come near! Whatever hurts you have, He wants to heal it. You can trust Him! Love and be loved by Him; you won't regret it! God bless you!