Yesterday morning as I prepared to leave town, I went through the necessary mental checklist: Did I pack everything? Did I have my credit card, boarding pass, and license? Were the carpools covered, and most importantly, did I remind the kids to feed the dogs?
The dogs must be fed while I am away. I told each child separately and all together, “Be sure one of you feeds the dogs everyday.” I told Pat. I left it in a note and then I texted them again this morning.
There are lots of important things I want my family to remember when I am out of town, but feeding the dogs is paramount to me. I know that they get rushed and distracted in the morning. Fixing breakfast, getting dressed, double checking homework and making it to school on time are all obstacles keeping them from remembering that the dogs need to be fed. I understand. I get busy and distracted too. It’s not that I don’t trust them to feed the dogs; it’s just very important to me and no matter how crazy their morning is, they might have a better chance of remembering the dogs if I am vigilant about reminding them.
The truth is, I probably only needed to say it one time. My family knows that feeding the dogs is important.
When instructions are important, they bear repeating. They aren’t repeated to badger or exhaust and they aren’t repeated due to a lack of faith in the recipient.
In Genesis 28:15, God tells us that He will never leave us.
The God of the Universe said this in the first chapter of the Bible. Everything He says is true and we should believe Him, but he didn’t quit telling us after He said it in Genesis. He repeats it over and over again all throughout the Bible.
Our loving and wonderful Heavenly Father knows that we get distracted by the busyness of this world. He knows that we get burdened by guilt. He knows that we get scared and sad and confused and He wants us to remember that He is always with us and will never leave us. It is very important to God that we remember this promise, and so He repeats it over and over again. He doesn’t remind us to exhaust or badger us. He doesn’t remind us because He thinks we are stupid. He repeats this over and over again, because it is important to Him and paramount for us to remember.
Oh dear precious friends and family, Hold tight to this truth and repeated promise: God is with us, and He will never let us go.
“I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
“Behold I am with you and will keep you wherever you go.” Genesis 28:15 (NIV)
“Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the one who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
“When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me.” Psalm 27:10 (NIV)
“Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 (NIV)
“I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:18 (NIV)