"I am a stranger on earth; I belong in your house."

Can you count the times when you have felt like an alien on earth?

Oh, I know, Daisy, I know! You're no alien. You absolutely own that old man who thinks he owns you. You own the house, the bed, the bathroom and the kitchen. You own all the food we buy and when you go in the car, you own that, too! You're no stranger here.

But using your imagination, think of the times when you seem disconnected to the human environment? Shouldn't be too hard, after all, you're a dog. Well, aren't you?

Let's get serious. Think of the times when you long to be in heaven where you belong instead of where you are now? Yes, all dogs go to heaven. You remember that you are a citizen of eternity, and a "foreigner" to the planet, to the society in which you live.

It would not be a stretch to say that all who take their Christian faith seriously, those who desire intimacy with God, would, at times, acknowledge such feelings. It is sometimes surprising to find yourself thinking like this -- earnestly looking forward, anticipating the denouement of your redemption.

But it is as natural as the nose on your face. Or, the sweet fragrance of another dog's butt. It is as natural as childbirth. It is so concomitant to the person in whose body, soul and spirit, resides the presence of the Holy Spirit himself. It is as if you were riding on a train and the Spirit of God were sitting next to you, and glancing up from his newspaper says to you, "We'll be there soon."

It is a happy thought. A wondrous, happy thought. Especially as we continue to brush the cinders from our eyes.