Rocket. It sounds like a missile high in the sky!

Actually it is the name of our four year-old granddaughter Brooke's new puppy. The deepest longing in Brooke's heart was for a puppy. Since barely old enough to speak, she had begged anyone who would listen to her for a puppy.

There must be several dozen puppies in her house, their car, and even here at grandma's house. Stuffed ones, ceramic ones, and plastic puppies of every size, breed, and color are everywhere. But, they aren't alive. Their hearts don't beat. The fur isn't real and tails don't wag when they see Brooke coming.

Finally, this week her mother and daddy said yes. Brooke would get a puppy! She could hardly wait for pre-school to be over because she was going to get Rocket. A tiny eight week-old Sheltie.

The next morning on the way to school she brought Rocket by our house for granddaddy and grandma to see and hold and love. It was a precious time. The longing we had heard in Brooke's voice had overnight turned to a deep love. She gently laid Rocket in my arms, asking me, with her eyes, to respond with that same love to Rocket.

Brooke and granddaddy played with him in the floor for a few minutes and then she picked Rocket up and once again ever so soft and lovingly placed him in my arms. I saw that pleading in her eyes for me to show my affection for that little furry animal she now loved so much. It was easy to discern how Brooke already loved Rocket with all her heart.

Soon, she and her mother gathered up Rocket and went out the door to get busy with school and work for the day.

I now look forward to the time when Brooke will have that same longing in her heart for our wonderful Lord. May the day come when she loves Him with all her grown-up heart. Let there be a day when nothing less than the real thing will do. Stuffed animals did not satisfy the desire Brooke had for a puppy, and I pray material things will not satisfy the desire Brooke will have for God. No substitutes. Only Jesus will do.

Brooke loves feeding and playing with Rocket every minute she can. As she matures into a beautiful young lady, God give her a longing and love in her heart to pray, spend time in the Word, and enjoy communing with our wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Rocket will do for now! Soon, it must be Jesus.