Puppy Love

It really works! When someone begins a political rant slamming people, I just begin to sing. Not just any song, but I have two specific songs that are easy to remember and can play over and over in the back of my mind while I’m doing other tasks.

I remember a quote I heard once from author C.S. Lewis. While raised in a religious home, he became an atheist at the age of 15, angry at God for not existing. (I know, how can you be angry at a God you don’t believe exists.) He was close friends with J.R.R. Tolkien, author of Lord of the Rings, whose influence helped him return to Christianity.

Someone once asked him why he was a Christian and his response was, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” This is a line from a children’s song. Talk about an answer! Simple and profound all at the same time.

“Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matt. 18:3-4 [NLT])

Who couldn’t use a break from the pressures and stresses of being an adult? Let’s go and play like when we were a kids with not a care in the world. Embrace childlike faith, when everything was an adventure. Sign me up!

I remember my first case of puppy love. Also known as a crush, it is a term used to describe romantic feelings felt during childhood, usually between 4 to 14 years old. It is named for its resemblance to the adoring, worshipful affection that puppies express.

I also remember when I first became a Christian at 19 years old. I was overwhelming in love with Jesus to the point where people asked me if I had a boyfriend and who was the lucky guy. I told them yes, I was in love and I was the lucky girl, because the guy was Jesus. I want my life to be like that everyday. Of course I’m all grown up, but what’s to stop me from capturing the joy of being a child and shining that into the lives of others? Nothing at all. So I do my best to be childlike every day. It catches people off guard and they usually respond with childlike wonder too. And don’t we need more of that nowadays?

So what are the songs I’ve been singing? Here are the lyrics.

Jesus loves me, this I know

For the Bible tells me so

Little ones to Him belong

They are weak but He is strong

Yes, Jesus loves me

Yes, Jesus loves me

Yes, Jesus loves me

The Bible tells me so

Jesus loves me, He who died

Heaven’s gate to open wide

He will wash away my sin

Let His little child come in

Jesus, take this heart of mine

and with yours be all entwined

On the cross, You died for me

Because of that I’ve been set free

The second song I’ve been so thrilled with, I’ve been coming up with new verses to add to the song. Because it is all about JOY!

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy

Down in my heart (where?)

Down in my heart

Down in my heart

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy

Down in my heart

Down in my heart to stay

And I’m so happy, so very happy

I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart

(repeat)

Then you replace the joy line with the following:

I’ve got the love of Jesus down in my heart

I’ve got the peace that passes understanding down in my heart

The ones I made up are as follows:

I’ve got the Precious Word of God the Father down in my heart

I’ve got the Freedom of my Lord and Savior down in my heart

I’ve got the Comfort of the Holy Spirit down in my heart

I learned these songs in Vacation Bible School in Wheaton Illinois. My parents were not church going folks, and I heard about a church that was holding this event during the summer and was drawn to it. So I got on my bike with the tall handle bars and banana seat and pedaled off to the school for a whole week. I also had a teacher in sixth grade, Miss Larson, who was a bright light in my life. I remember her reading us the book God’s Smuggler about Brother Andrew who brought Bibles to Christians behind the Iron Curtain. That’s back when schools still said the Pledge of Allegiance and began the day with a prayer. I can honestly say I’m much better for it.

Miss Larson is the one who planted the initial seed of hope in me and gave me my first Bible, a Good News Translation. I am forever grateful for her boldness in showing me God’s love everyday.

So experience some puppy love for yourselves, live each day with a bit of childlike faith and wonder, resembling the adoring, worshipful affection towards Jesus, and you too will have joy, joy, joy, joy down in your heart!

© 2021 Fluffy Puppy Publishing All Rights Reserved