Persistence.

Remember that post I did that had the picture of this dog?

Now I know this dog.

I've been petting this dog that lives in the workshop next door every day I see him outside for the last two months. 

No response.

Italian dogs are like cats. They don't really care about you.

They walk away casually while you're petting them 

and don't look you in the eyes.

That's the response I got from this sweetheart.

The other day I was walking home and all the children 

were getting out of school. 

I saw the neighbor dog wandering through them all, and I crouched down in the midst of all the craziness, grabbed his face with my hands and started rubbing his ears.

Tail wag.

The first time I could tell that this dog was even acknowledging me.

Today I walked past him on my way to class and petted him like always.

On my way home I saw that he was laying down by the door of the workshop from a distance and I was in a hurry so I walked along the street planning to skip saying hello this time.

As I walked past the workshop all of the sudden there he was at my feet.

He had gotten up and ran over to me.

The owner was laughing and seemed perplexed 

at what this dog had just done.

I think this is such a beautiful picture.

Persistence of loving on people is not all for nothing.

We may never see the results in our own lifetime.

Or one day we might be able to see that slight tail wag.

And if we're lucky, we'll see the running towards us.

Everyone desires to be loved.

I pray that God continues to give me opportunities here in Italy to love people and pursue them as Christ has pursued and been persistent with me.