We often wonder why God keeps loving us, when so many times we ignore the simple things He asks us to do.  And yet, every time we think God has had enough of our rebellious ways, God surprises us with an unexpected gift. Below is a story that may serve in showing how God’s love remains constant.

Years ago, while watching the popular TV show Cheers, a local watering hole where everyone knows your name, Carla, the outrageously, funny waitress, referenced The Runaway Bunny, a children’s book by Margaret Wise Brown.

Carla claimed that she read the book to her eight kids many, many times, and each time she did “it made her cry.” This children’s classic concerns a mother rabbit and her young bunny son, who has decided to run away.                                                                

The mother tells the little bunny if he does, she will run after him, and not just wait on the doorstep for him to return home! She declared as soon as he leaves, she will set out to follow him.

Her son responds saying he will use disguises, so she won’t recognize him.  The determined bunny says he will masquerade as a bird, or a sailboat, or even a crocus growing in a garden. The mother responds saying then I will pretend to be a tree, or the wind, or even a gardener until I catch you.   

Finally, the mother says, “Even if you run into a house, I will become the mother of that home and you will become my little bunny.” Realizing his mother’s persistence, the young bunny, surrenders to his mother’s love saying, “Aw shucks, I might as well stay at home and be your little bunny.” His mother responds with a smile and adds, “Here, have a carrot.”

What can this short story tell us about our God?  It centers on God’s love and how his presence in our lives is inescapable.  Even when we try to run away and hide, God seeks and finds us. Just as the love of parents for their children cannot be explained, understanding God’s love for his creation is even more amazing and astonishing. God never lets go.

When we sin or make mistakes, we simply ask our loving God for forgiveness. And God responds without questioning. Why? Because God trusts those he created and would rather forgive than punish.  This is the entire Easter season message. God does not measure our lives by our last mistake. God waits, hoping we will ask forgiveness, and when we do, God’s mercy flows.

When Jesus’ message became too difficult for his followers to hear, they began to drift away. This same thing happens to Christians’ today.  It is easy to walk Jesus’ path when the sun shines blissfully, and we are still able to hear Jesus’ voice calling.  However, when clouds darken our way, other voices become louder showing easier ways to live our lives.

A path not preached by Jesus begins to look better, while the way of Jesus with death and resurrection seems difficult.  And like the little bunny, we too want to leave and find a more comfortable road for life’s journey.

But like the mother rabbit, Jesus will follow his created, loved ones. And when the time is right, Jesus will make his presence known and ask this question to show he still cares, “Do you also want to leave?”   Hopefully, Jesus will hear Peter’s response, ‘‘To whom shall we go? You and you alone have the words of eternal life.” Who else will satisfy our deepest longings, recognizing our desire for all that is loving, kind, compassionate, and merciful? Who else can lead us to eternal life?

A great use of our life is to live it for something useful.  

-Anonymous