Love's The Top Dog

This is part two, of a two part series, about Eric, age forty-six, admitted to hospice because of terminal cancer. In part one; “God is a Heart God”, Eric admitted that he was a Reba McIntyre fan, but also pointed out that, “Entertainers always present an image that they want to look like.” When I suggested that we all do, Eric replied, “But God is a heart God…Men look on the outside but God looks at the heart, on the inside. The mind can be fooled but not the heart.”

Eric’s parents, in their eighties, are tough country people. Eric’s father, Lawrence, bragged about his wife, Rindi, “She can work like a man…When we built our house she climbed up the rafters like a man and helped put on the roof.” Lawrence was a Marine, and a machine gunner in the South Pacific, during World War II. He reflected, “You had to do what you had to do…When the war started I hated the Japanese, but by the time the war was over, I didn’t hate them anymore. They were just men like us.” Lawrence worked most of his life in brick factories, carrying, wheel barrowing and stacking brick; day after day. He concluded that he “wore out” his knees, which was evident when he teetered across the front yard.

One afternoon, after spending time with Eric, I encountered Lawrence and Rindi as I was leaving. They were reorganizing their garage. Rindi asked me, “Do you notice any changes in him?” I asked her the same question in return and she replied, “He’s eating but he’s still losing weight.” Lawrence asked, “He’s in bad shape isn’t he?” When I agreed with his evaluation, Lawrence covered his face with his hand and stumbled backwards. In retrospect, I don’t know if his knees gave out or if he was overcome with emotion, or perhaps both. Rindi declared, “I’ll do anything I can for him (Eric).” We talked about how none of us are perfect, either as parents or as caregivers. There will always be something more we could have seen, said or done. I shared the Bible passage, “…love will cover a multitude of sins.” (I Peter 4:8) We talked about how, when it’s all said and done, the important thing is whether the person knew you loved them. Then Lawrence summed it all up, “Love’s the top dog, isn’t it?”

The same is true in our relationship with God. Peter’s life is an example. After eating the “Last Supper”, with his twelve disciples, Jesus declared, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me tonight”. But Peter exclaimed, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble…Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” (Matthew 26:31- 35) But that same night, as Peter watched the Jews beat and mock Jesus in the court yard of the high priest, he denied ever even knowing Jesus; not just once, but three times. And on the third time, the rooster crowed just as Jesus predicted; “Then the Lord turned and looked at Peter…Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord…So Peter went out and wept bitterly.”(Mark 14: 54-60)

Can you imagine the guilt and shame that Peter felt! He denied the very One he swore he would die for. But it wasn’t over. Jesus arose from the grave, and over a span of forty days, before He ascended to Heaven, “He also presented Himself alive” to his disciples; including Peter. (Acts 1:1-3). And what do you think Jesus said to Peter? He didn’t point out how Peter had disappointed Him. He didn’t remind him of his failures or say, “I told you so!” You see, Jesus understands and accepts that “the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). Jesus simply asked Peter three times (Once for each time Peter had denied Him), “Simon (Peter), son of Jonah, do you love Me?” And Peter replied, “Yes Lord; You know that I love You” (John 21:15-17). You see, when communicated and sincere, “…love will cover a multitude of sins.” And God won’t take less than your love, for “God is a Heart God”. For even with God, “Love’s the top dog”.